Australia: Tullaghan, Bubbler joint favorites in one-mile handicap
Tullaghan ended a busy six-week stretch with a fourth-place finish in a one-mile handicap at Albury Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 10.
Tullaghan was beaten slightly less than two lengths, while racing on the inside through the stretch. While Tullaghan had a clear run, he was unable to compete with Oceans of Stanima, who rallied wide.
After that race, his sixth in as many weeks, Tullaghan earned a rest. He returns for his first start in a month in a one-mile handicap at Albury on Monday evening.
Trained by Mitchell Beer, Tullaghan was the joint 2-1 favorite in early betting as of Sunday with Bubbler, who won his last start. They are part of a field of eight in the second race on an eight-race program that begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern, or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Tullaghan has won 3 of 23 starts. From late October to early December, Tullaghan had one win and two third-place finishes in six starts at distances ranging from 7 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.
Tullaghan and Bubbler are versatile. They can run from off the pace and from tracking positions.
Bubbler ended a nine-race losing streak with a win by three-quarters of a length in a one-mile handicap at Cowra Racecourse on Dec. 17. A winner of 2 of 32 starts, Bubbler’s other win occurred in a one-mile maiden race at Albury last February in his 22nd start.
Bubbler is the only runner in the Albury field with a last-race win.
The race lacks a confirmed frontrunner, although Madison Point (8-1) has shown speed at times.
A winner of 8 of 55 starts, Madison Point started three times in December, winning a one-mile handicap at Queanbeyan on Dec. 8 before finishing fifth against a tougher field on Dec. 16 and sixth in a one-mile handicap on Dec. 27.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.