Australia: Stockman benefits from weights, course condition in TAB Handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse

The slight weight advantage Stockman has over a few of his rivals in Monday’s TAB Handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney, Australia may be the difference in the race at about 1 5/16 miles on turf.

Stockman, a 3-year-old Southern Hemisphere gelding, has won three of his last four starts since returning from a five-month break in April. Trained at Warwick Farm by Joseph Pride, Stockman has won his last two starts – a handicap at a mile at Wyong Racecourse on May 13 and a more lucrative handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick on May 23.

In the latter race, Stockman rallied from ninth in a field of 10 to win by a head under Sam Clipperton, who has the mount on Monday.

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The TAB Handicap is the fifth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, or 7:15 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRBets.com.

Stockman will carry 127.8 pounds, slightly less than Rock Dove, a 4-year-old filly who will carry top weight of 132 pounds in the field of 10. Rock Dove was the 16-1 winner of a handicap at Warwick Farm at a mile on April 29 in her first start over the course. She was later seventh in a handicap at Randwick at 1 1/4 miles on May 23 on heavy turf. Stockman and Rock Dove were in different races on May 23.

The turf course is expected to be soft at Warwick Farm on Monday, conditions that could suit Stockman, who has won on soft and heavy courses in his recent starts.

The 7-year-old gelding Brazen will carry 125.6 pounds and will be ridden by the apprentice Chris Williams. Brazen has won seven races at distances from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles and was fourth in his only start at this distance in 2017.

The filly She’s So Savvy deserves scrutiny if she draws into the race from the also-eligible list. A 4-year-old, She’s So Savvy won twice at Newcastle at distances of 7 1/2 furlongs and about 1 3/16 miles. Considering she closed from off the pace in those races, she could be a factor in this longer trip under the light weight of 119 pounds.

Rothfire easy winner of Grade 1 Atkins

Rothfire ended his Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old season with an impressive win in Saturday’s Grade 1 J.J. Atkins Stakes at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Australia.

Ridden by Jim Byrne, Rothfire ($5.30 in American pools) closed from off the pace to take a commanding lead in the final furlong, winning by 3 1/4 lengths over 23-1 Gotta Kiss, who edged 21-1 The Drinks Cart for second in the field of 18.

Rothfire, trained by Robert Heathcote, has won 6 of 7 starts, including the Group 2 Champagne Classic at six furlongs on May 23. In the Atkins, Rothfire stalked the pace to early stretch. In his previous wins, the gelding set the pace.

Heathcote told the Australian press after Saturday’s race that Rothfire will be considered for the $9.75 million Everest Stakes at six furlongs against older horses at Randwick on Oct. 17. Rothfire is by the Fastnet Rock stallion Rothesay.

* In the race following the $243,250 Atkins Stakes, Tyzone ($28.40) closed with a rush in the final furlong to record an upset in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at seven furlongs, the final Group 1 race of the Australian autumn.

Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Tyzone finished a head in front of 60-1 Madam Rouge, who was a head in front of 13-1 Niccanova. The first six finishers in the field of 18 were separated by 1 1/2 lengths.

Dawn Passage, the 2-1 favorite, finished seventh.

Tyzone, trained by Toby and Trent Edmonds, won his first group race in 13 months, and third stakes, in the $243,250 Stradbroke. A 6-year-old gelding by Written Tycoon, Tyzone has won 17 of 41 starts.