Australia: Strategic Phil strikes while hot in Swan Hill Cup

Strategic Phil ended a 10-race losing streak with a win in a lucrative handicap at a mile at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on May 29.

That victory could propel the 5-year-old Australian-bred gelding back into the winner’s circle again in Sunday’s $96,825 Swan Hill Cup at Swan Hill Racecourse in the Australian countryside north of Melbourne.

Strategic Phil, who tends to run near the front, has won 6 of 30 starts and ran well earlier this year despite the losses. Trained by David Brideoake, Strategic Phil was third in the Wangaratta Cup at 1 1/4 miles in February and second in a handicap at Warrnambool at 1 1/16 miles on May 4 prior to the win at Caulfield.

The Swan Hill Cup is the leading race of a three-day June racing carnival meeting this week at the track, which is located in the state of Victoria. The Swan Hill Cup drew a field of 14. Aside from Strategic Phil, strong cases can be made for Adelaide Ace, who is expected to be favored, and Zachaz.

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Adelaide Ace was second in two seven-furlong handicaps at Warrnambool on May 6 and at Caulfield on May 29, racing from his typical stalking style. Adelaide Ace has won 4 of 16 starts, but is winless in nine starts since a victory in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at 1 1/8 miles at Caulfield Racecourse in February 2020.

The last two races are Adelaide Ace’s only starts this year.

Zachaz, a 6-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, has won 5 of 17 starts and 3 of 7 races at a mile. Recently, Zachaz has started in handicaps at 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/4 miles. The Swan Hill Cup is Zachaz’s first start at a mile in a year. If Zachez can handle the shorter trip, he could catch the eye with a late rally.

The Swan Hill program begins at 9:40 p.m. Eastern, or 6:40 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.