Australia: Theresabearinthere stands out in five-furlong handicap field

Theresabearinthere was a disappointment when the gelding finished sixth at 2-1 in a handicap at Morphetteville Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 12 in his first start since August.

Theresabearinthere set the pace and was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Mayan. Runner-up Baraconi returned to win a handicap at Morphettville on Dec. 26.

Theresabearinthere can further enhance the form of that race when he starts as a strong favorite in a five-furlong handicap at Wagga Wagga Racecourse in the New South Wales countryside Tuesday. Theresabearinthere has won 2 of 5 starts for trainer Mitchell Beer, whose stable had a winner at tiny Tumut Racecourse on Saturday.

A 3-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Theresabearinthere won two of his first three career starts in April and June. Prior to the recent loss at Morphettville in a race at 5 1/4 furlongs, Theresabearinthere was fourth against a much tougher group of runners in a five-furlong handicap at Moonee Valley on Aug. 1.

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

Tuesday’s race drew a field of 10. Theresabearinthere will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Hannah Williams. Her presence reduces the weight assignment from 134.4 pounds to 125.6. Williams rode her first winner in November.

With the lower weight assignment for Theresabearinthere, Kurnell has assumed the role of topweight at 133 pounds. Kurnell and Bellarina Magic have run well enough in recent starts to test Theresabearinthere.

Kurnell won for the second time in his 11th start in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at 30-1 on Nov. 29 at Traralgon Racecourse in the state of Victoria and returned to finish fifth at 25-1 in a six-furlong handicap at Sale on Jan. 3.

Bellarina Magic, a 4-year-old Australian-bred filly, has won 2 of 11 career starts at Wagga Wagga, which represents both of the wins in her 18-race career.

Bellarina Magic has finished third in her last two starts, both five-furlong handicaps at Wagga Wagga – a loss by a length on Dec. 24 and by 1 1/4 lengths on Jan. 7. She is a threat from off the pace to end a 13-race losing streak.