Australia: Soft turf shouldn't hurt Beckford in Armidale Cup

Wet weather in Australia has forced the transfer of Sunday’s program at tiny Armidale Racecourse to Tamworth Racecourse about 55 miles to the southwest.

The feature race on the eight-race program remains the Armidale Cup, which was scheduled for 1 3/16 miles at Armidale but will be run at a mile at Tamworth.

A new venue and a new distance should not affect Beckford, a leading contender along with Point Counterpoint, Battle Guardian, and Reposition.

Beckford is undefeated in two starts at Armidale and has won 2 of 3 starts at Tamworth, including one-mile handicaps on heavy turf in June and on soft turf on Nov. 30. The forecast this weekend is for soft conditions.

The Armidale Cup will have a full field of 12 and is the top race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:10 p.m. Eastern, or 6:10 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Beckford had a four-month break ending in early November and has since won 2 of 3 starts for trainer Troy O’Neile.

Point Counterpoint, trained by Stirling Osland, has won 4 of 17 starts, with all the wins this calendar year. Point Counterpoint won a one-mile handicap on soft turf at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Nov. 20, his second win in his last three starts.

Battle Guardian was an encouraging second in the Taree Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Taree Racecourse on Nov. 21 and won a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Kempsey Racecourse on Nov. 5 for his third career win. The Armidale Cup is a fast turnaround for Battle Guardian, who was 10th on heavy turf in the Tuncurry Cup at 1 5/16 miles at Tuncurry Racecourse on Monday, conditions the 5-year-old gelding may not have preferred.

Reposition was third in the Taree Cup and Tuncurry Cup and has won at a mile in his career. He won a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Tamworth in April.

Mister Smartee, third to Beckford on Nov. 30, is a longshot who could finish in the first three. Mister Smartee is winless in three starts since a one-mile handicap at Taree Racecourse on Oct. 15.