Australia: Think About It favored in Monday handicap

Think About It performed as expected when the Australian 3-year-old won his debut by a stylish two lengths in a six-furlong maiden race at Kembla Grange Racecourse on July 31.

There is little reason Think About It cannot maintain a perfect record when he starts favored in his debut against winners at Wyong Racecourse in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs on Monday evening across American time zones.

Trained by Joe Pride, Think About It, who was purchased for approximately $50,000 as a yearling, is part of a field of eight and has by far the least experience of any of the runners.

Think About It will break from post 6 and will be ridden by Rory Hutchings, who was aboard for the maiden-race win. Think About It should get a favorable trip since runners such as Ilzoomya and Poetic Miss are quick enough to set the pace.

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Ilzoomya was third by slightly more than a length in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Goulburn on July 29, her second start following a layoff of more than five months and fourth consecutive loss since a win in a maiden race last December.

Ilzoomya has an excellent chance to hit the board, and could produce a minor upset if Think About It falters.

This is the first start in a year for the well-regarded Artie’s Aura, a 5-year-old mare who had four starts from April to August in 2021, winning once. Artie’s Aura, who tends to run from off the pace, has had two schooling races from the gate, or barrier trials, in recent weeks to prepare for her comeback. Similar to Think About It, Artie’s Aura runs from off the pace.

Wyong has an eight-race program beginning at 10:35 p.m. Eastern, or 7:35 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.