Australia: Three vie for favoritism in handicap at Royal Randwick
The 4-year-old Australian gelding Journalism may provide a scoop for bettors in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on the Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday evening.
A winner of 3 of 9 starts for trainers Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Journalism is one of three leading contenders in a field of eight, along with Bon Vivant and Atlantic Ocean. They were all 2-1 in early betting as of Monday.
Journalism has had two starts this year following a six-month layoff. He won his comeback in a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Jan. 18 and was second by slightly less than a half-length in a handicap at about a mile at Canterbury Park on Feb. 1.
In both races, Journalism raced near the front throughout. He overcame trouble to win at Wyong.
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Bon Vivant has attractive credentials. Trained by James Cummings for Godolphin Racing, Bon Vivant was beaten in three group stakes from late February to mid-April last year before he was rested for the remainder of 2022.
Bon Vivant was a fast-closing third in a handicap at seven furlongs at Warwick Farm on Jan. 26, losing by 1 3/4 lengths. Bon Vivant has won 2 of 10 starts, with both wins at a mile.
Atlantic Ocean is winless in three starts since he beat maidens in a seven-furlong race in his fourth career start in October. Atlantic Ocean has finished fifth and fourth in races at six and seven furlongs this year, plagued by slow starts.
Atlantic Ocean has closed ground in the final furlong of those races, suggesting this longer trip should work for the Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old in the longest race of his career.
The Kensington course is on the infield at Randwick. The track has a seven-race program beginning at 10:20 p.m. Eastern or 7:20 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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