Australia: So Sway ends short layoff with 6-furlong handicap

So Sway was the well-regarded winner of a maiden race in Australia in his July debut only to struggle in two subsequent starts against winners in the following month.

On Monday, at Pinjarra Park in the state of Western Australia, So Sway will race for the first time since late August in a six-furlong handicap that drew a field of eight.

Trained by Tiarnna Robertson, So Sway will be ridden for the first time by William Pike, who had two wins at Ascot Racecourse in Perth on Saturday.

So Sway, a 4-year-old gelding, is most effective as a stalker and is fairly drawn in post 8. So Sway is likely to be in pursuit of Magnuson Man, who won for the first time in his 17th start in a maiden race at about six furlongs at Albany Racecourse on Dec. 11, his most recent start. Magnuson Man set the pace in that field.

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Magnuson Man is the only runner in the field with a win in his last two starts. The handicap is the fourth race on a nine-race program that begins at 11:29 p.m. Eastern, or 8:29 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering and viewing is available through DRFBets.com. Pinjarra Park is located south of Perth and about 10 miles inland from the Indian Ocean.

Magnuson Man could face an early challenge from Shock Result, who won a maiden race at five furlongs at Northam Racecourse as the even-money favorite on Nov. 19, and has since finished fourth and fifth in races against winners.

Monday’s race is the fifth start for Gibraltar Dancer, who won his second start in a maiden race in March and was later fifth in two starts against winners in April and May. Gibraltar Dancer beat maidens in a race at 5 1/2 furlongs, and should get a stalking trip similar to So Sway.