Australia: Tip of the Spear looms large second off the layoff

Two weeks after he finished fifth in his first start in four months, the Irish-bred gelding Tip of the Spear has an excellent chance for a third career win in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury Park in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday evening.

Tip of the Spear was beaten 3 1/2 lengths in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney July 29 against a slightly higher class of runners than he race against at Canterbury.

Trained by Annabel Neasham, Tip of the Spear runs from off the pace and should be suited to a slightly longer race at Canterbury, having won at about 1 1/4 miles in the past.

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Tip of the Spear won consecutive starts in Ireland in late 2021 and early 2022. He was transferred to Australia in late 2022 and is winless in six starts this year, including a second by slightly more than a half-length in a handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Warwick Farm in February.

At Canterbury, Tip of the Spear is part of a field of 11 and was the 6-1 fourth choice in early betting as of Monday.

Canterbury has a seven-race program beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern or 8:25 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The Milkybar Kid (5-2), Sophia’s Magic (7-2) and Sir Bailey (9-2) were shorter prices than Tip of the Spear.

The Milkybar Kid, a winner of 3 of 11 starts, is likely to set the pace. He was third in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on the infield Kensington course at Randwick Aug. 2 in his first start since January.

Sophia’s Magic, a 6-year-old mare, won a handicap against males at 1 3/16 miles at Canterbury in February, her most recent win. Sophia’s Magic was third by 2 1/4 lengths in a handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles at Randwick on July 29.

Sir Bailey has yet to win beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, but finished with interest to be third by a slightly more than a half-length in a one-mile handicap at Warwick Farm on Aug. 9.

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