Australia: Streaking Celestial Doll and Unrestricted face tougher at rural Walcha Racecourse

Celestial Doll and Unrestricted are in the midst of two-race winning streaks that will be sternly tested when they meet for the first time in a field of 12 in the Walcha Cup at tiny Walcha Racecourse in Australia on Friday.

Celestial Doll, a 4-year-old filly who has won 4 of 12 starts, and Unrestricted, a 5-year-old gelding who has won 5 of 20 starts, will lead the betting, but will meet tougher competition than in their last races.

Considering the way they each won, another victory remains possible in the Walcha Cup, run at about 7 1/4 furlongs.

Celestial Doll, who was the 2-1 favorite as of Wednesday, closed from third in a field of 10 to win a seven-furlong handicap at Parkes Racecourse on Jan. 22 as the 1-2 favorite.

Unrestricted has won three of his last four starts. On Jan. 3 at Taree Racecourse, Unrestricted closed from third in a field of nine to win by slightly less than a half-length in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs. He beat a lesser field of handicap rivals in a seven-furlong race at Armidale in November.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Unrestricted is quick enough to set the pace, but could yield an early advantage to runners such as Acoustix and Capri Lane, who consistently have shown speed in recent starts.

The Walcha Cup is a slight drop in class for Maslow, who was second of nine in a six-furlong handicap at Tamworth on Jan. 20. Maslow set the pace in that race, which is not his customary style.

Acoustix, a 6-year-old gelding who has won 6 of 32 starts, led throughout a handicap at seven furlongs at Lismore on Dec. 17, but was only third, beaten a length, after setting the pace in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Jan. 18.

Walcha, located well north of Sydney in the New South Wales countryside, has an eight-race program beginning at 9:35 p.m. Eastern or 6:35 p.m. Pacific on Thursday. The Walcha Cup is the seventh race. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.