Australia: Streaking Northern Tahee gets distance, class test

Since late September, Northern Tahnee has reeled off three consecutive wins in Australia at distances ranging from 1 3/16 miles to 1 9/16 miles.

A fourth consecutive win would be an achievement.

At Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Thursday evening, Northern Tahnee will be tried at two miles for the first time against a slightly higher class of runners than the 4-year-old gelding has faced in recent starts.

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

Northern Tahnee is a relentless galloper. He led throughout handicaps at 1 3/8 miles on the synthetic track at Pakenham on Oct. 9, and won a handicap at 1 9/16 miles on turf at Wagga Wagga five days later.

A winner of 4 of 16 starts in his career, Northern Tahnee is currently in the best form of his career, but will face a class test at Wagga Wagga as part of a field of 11.

He will be pursued by Mr Fabulous, who was third by 1 3/4 lengths in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Kembla Grange on Oct. 21 in his sixth start. Mr Fabulous, who is expected to be favored, tends to run from a stalking position.

Francesco Ben and Look Sharpish are two other runners capable of winning, which would end losing streaks.

Look Sharpish is winless in six starts since July. A 7-year-old mare, she was last of 12 in a handicap at 1 9/16 miles at Morphettville Racecourse on Oct 14. Jockey Todd Pannell that Look Sharpish failed to respond to urging in the final three furlongs.

Look Sharpish was third as recently as Sept. 16 in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Morphettville.

Francesco Ben, a 5-year-old gelding, has been second in his last three starts, including a one-length loss against a lower class of handicap rivals at about 1 1/4 miles at Wodonga on Oct. 21. Francesco Ben is winless in 10 starts since September 2022.

Wagga Wagga has an eight-race program beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern or 8:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.