Australia: Twigman favored in Monday handicap

A slow start cost Twigman any chance of winning a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Hawkesbury Racecourse in Australia on Oct. 19. He recovered to some extent, closing from fifth in the stretch to finish third by 1 1/4 lengths.

Overall, Twigman has had a promising start to his career, winning 4 of 10 starts. He will be favored to extend the success in a handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Grafton Racecourse on Monday evening.

The marathon handicap is the first race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern or 7:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Trained by Paul Shailer, Twigman won at 1 1/4 miles in a handicap at Port Macquarie in March, indicating the distance at Hawkesbury is within reach. At his best, Twigman is a threat as a stalker. He won as recently as Oct. 5 in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Gosford Racecourse.

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Twigman will be a strong favorite in a field of eight at Hawkesbury, and must beat Prophets De’vine.

A 4-year-old filly, Prophets De’vine beat maidens in her seventh career start at a mile in early September and has since finished a close second in her last two starts – losing by a nose in a handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Grafton on Sept. 26, and by a head in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Murwillumbah on Oct. 10.

Prophets De’vine tends to run from off the pace.

The 9-year-old gelding Chocolatier will have his 66th start at Hawkesbury. A six-time winner, Chocolatier is winless in 10 starts since he led throughout a handicap at about 1 3/8 miles at Eagle Farm in February.

Chocolatier has finished sixth, eighth and second in his last three starts. He faces a slightly easier field at Hawkesbury.

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