Australia: Velvet Haze has tactical speed to handle bump up in class
A winner of two of her last three starts, the filly Velvet Haze will face a slight class test when she starts in a seven-furlong handicap at Coffs Harbour Racecourse in Australia on Wednesday evening.
Velvet Haze won handicaps on the Beaumont course at Newcastle at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 26, and finished first in a dead heat in a seven-furlong handicap at Grafton on Nov. 8.
Velvet Haze had slow starts in both races, which were against a lower level of competition, but recovered rapidly. She stalked the pace at Newcastle and held an early lead at Grafton.
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Between those wins, Velvet Haze was third by 2 3/4 lengths in a handicap at Coffs Harbour on Oct. 13.
At Coffs Harbour on Wednesday, Velvet Haze starts from the outside post in a field of nine and will be ridden by her regular jockey, apprentice Benjamin Osmond. The filly’s versatile running style will give Osmond options in the opening furlongs about where to position Velvet Haze.
With Osmond aboard for trainer Kris Lees, Velvet Haze’s weight assignment has been reduced from 124.5 pounds to 121, far below topweight Kibosh at 131 pounds.
Kibosh is winless in 12 starts since June 2021, and was fifth in the same race as Velvet Haze on Nov. 8. She has a higher handicap rating on the basis of success in early 2021.
Dark Euro, winless in 13 starts since May 2022, will race close to the pace. Despite the lengthy losing streak, Dark Euro has been close frequently this year, finishing second in five of eight starts.
Dark Euro was beaten a half-length in a seven-furlong handicap at Ballina Racecourse on Nov. 17 against a tougher class level than she will face at Coffs Harbour. A slight class drop could be a boost for Dark Euro.
Velvet Haze and Dark Euro lead the early betting in the Wednesday evening handicap, the first of eight races at Coffs Harbour on a program that begins at 9:10 p.m. Eastern of 6:10 p.m. Pacific.
Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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