Australia: Tara Jasmine has one coming to her in Sawtell Cup at Coffs Harbour

Tara Jasmine has won 6 of 17 starts in Australia since her career began in October 2020, and would have had a seventh win at Grafton Racecourse on July 14 with any luck.

Through the final furlong of a seven-furlong handicap at Grafton, Tara Jasmine raced behind and between runners, finding a clear path only in the final strides. She finished third by two noses.

The circumstances of the loss have made Tara Jasmine the early favorite for the Sawtell Cup at Coffs Harbour Racecourse on Sunday. The Sawtell Cup will be Tara Jasmine’s second start of 2022 for trainer John Shelton, who had the 4-year-old filly earlier in her career.

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Tara Jasmine had terrific form in the second half of 2021, winning four of her final six starts. All of the wins were in minor handicaps. Earlier this year, Tara Jasmine was winless in three starts at tracks in Queensland. The loss at Grafton is her best performance this year.

In the Sawtell Cup, Tara Jasmine is part of a full field of 14 and has drawn post 6. She will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Anna Roper, which reduces the weight assignment from 132 pounds to 125.6.

The 133-pound topweight is the well-regarded Eiger, a 5-year-old gelding who has won 8 of 27 starts. Eiger won consecutive starts in handicaps at seven furlongs in May before finishing seventh of 11 in the Grafton Cup at a mile at Grafton on July 10 as a 17-1 outsider.

The Stawell Cup is the eighth start of the year for Azarmin, who was a game second in a one-mile handicap at Beaudesert Racecourse on July 9, closing from fourth in a field of six to miss by a neck as the 3-2 favorite. A 6-year-old mare, Azarmin has won 7 of 35 starts.

Coffs Harbour has a seven-race program beginning at 10:45 p.m. Eastern or 7:45 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.