Australia: Ugly Nicos favored to end win drought in Armidale handicap

Ugly Nicos has not won since he beat maidens in March 2021, a drought that is not as severe as it seems.

Ugly Nicos is winless in six starts in that span, one race after his win in 2021 and five starts since mid-December. The losing streak could easily end in a seven-furlong handicap at Armidale Racecourse on Sunday evening.

A 5-year-old gelding, Ugly Nicos has started nine times. Since his return to racing in December, he has finished seventh, second in three consecutive races, and 12th of 14 in a $105,000 race at seven furlongs at Tuncurry Racecourse on Feb. 12 that was restricted to horses trained in the Australian countryside.

The series of second-place finishes from late December to late January came in races ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to a mile, and were good enough to beat this field at Armidale.

Ugly Nicos, the 7-5 favorite in early betting on Saturday, drew the inside post in a field of 11. Ugly Nicos tends to run from a tracking position and should get a ground-saving trip under regular rider Aaron Bullock.

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Through Saturday, Bullock was second in the jockey standings at tracks in the state of New South Wales since the season began Aug. 1.

Justadude, an outsider who drew post 12, is likely to set the pace, but is winless in nine starts since June.

Apache Red and Metal Bar are capable of winning, but must be better than their recent starts.

Apache Red, who has one win in 16 starts, has not raced since he finished sixth of seven in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Nov. 1. At his best, he can be a factor from off the pace.

Metal Bar will have his fifth start of the year at Armidale. He is capable of racing from a stalking position, but has only one win in 26 starts.

Armidale has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern, or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.