Australia: Universal Lady, In the Boat dominate betting at Warrnambool

Universal Lady had a two-race winning streak end with a second-place finish in a six-furlong handicap at Benalla Racecourse on Sept. 26.

The streak may have only been interrupted. Universal Lady resumes racing in a five-furlong handicap at Warrnambool Racecourse, west of Melbourne, on Thursday, the same distance as her two wins on the synthetic track at Ballarat Racecourse in August.

Universal Lady ran well enough in the Sept. 26 race on turf to suggest a win at Warrnambool is achievable, considering the distance and competition. The Sept. 26 race has already been productive. Universal Lady was second by 1 3/4 lengths to Just Jake, who won a six-furlong handicap against a tougher field on the turf course at Ballarat on Oct. 10.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Universal Lady is part of a field of 11 in the five-furlong handicap, the fifth race on an eight-race program that begins at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, or 7:30 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Universal Lady, a 4-year-old filly, and In the Boat, a 4-year-old gelding, will dominate the betting.

In the Boat began his career in western Australia, winning a maiden race at Bunbury last December. In the Boat was third in an allowance race at Ascot Racecourse in Perth a month later, and did not race again for seven months.

In the Boat returned to action with a third-place finish by a half-length in a handicap at 4 3/4 furlongs at Swan Hill Racecourse in the state of Victoria on Sept. 10, setting the pace before fading to finish third. Race winner Easy Single, trained by Maher and Eustace, followed that victory with a handicap win in a more lucrative race at Moonee Valley on Oct. 1.

Universal Lady has been most effective as a stalker in recent starts, and will certainly have a target with In the Boat.

The lightly raced Duchess of Dorset can be a factor in her first start since March. A 5-year-old mare, Duchess of Dorset was fourth in a six-furlong handicap at Warrnambool last March, racing as a stalker and losing by three lengths.