Australia: Thespian Waters acts like a fast colt heading into Elwick Stakes at Hobart

Thespian Waters was so impressive in a recent schooling race from the gate that the 2-year-old is rated as a contender for his debut in the Elwick Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hobart Racecourse on Saturday.

Thespian Waters is one of four first-time starters in a field of eight, but the only one to finish first in a training race, winning at 3 1/2 furlongs by seven lengths on Jan. 4. Thespian Waters is the rare runner who will be ridden by his trainer, Sigrid Carr, a circumstance that surfaces occasionally in Australia.

While Thespian Waters lacks race experience, none of the other runners have started more than three times. The filly Cairns and gelding Thoros of Myr won their last start at 5 1/2 furlongs from the front, and start from post 4 and 8 in the Elwick. Needs Sugar, winless in three starts, was second to Cairns and Thoros of Myr in her last two starts, beaten only a head by Thoros of Myr at Hobart on Jan. 6.

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Typical of races for young horses at Hobart, the field consists of runners that have raced on the island of Tasmania off the southern coast of Australia.

Hobart has a nine-race program beginning at 8:55 p.m. Eastern or 5:55 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The program includes the Summer Cup for older horses at 1 3/8 miles.

Carr rides Swoop Dog, a winner of handicaps at 1 1/8 miles in his last two starts, one on turf at Longford Racecourse on Jan. 1 and the other on the synthetic track at Devonport on Jan. 11.

The Summer Cup is run at an ideal course and distance for Travelling Gigolo, a 5-year-old gelding who has won 6 of 19 starts with all the wins at Hobart. Travelling Gigolo has won four times at 1 3/8 miles, always closing from off the pace.

Travelling Gigolo was second by three-quarters of a length in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles at Hobart on Jan. 6 in his second start following a layoff of nearly six months. Travelling Gigolo was beaten by the 5-year-old mare Glass Warrior, who is part of the Summer Cup field.

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