Australia: Victory Chuckle one to look for late in handicap at Benalla

Victory Chuckle spent the month of January trying to replicate his maiden race win in December in Australia.

In one-mile handicaps, Victory Chuckle was second twice - beaten a neck at Kilmore on Jan. 11 and by the same margin at Wagga Wagga on Jan. 26. In both races, Victory Chuckle closed from well off the pace and was in his best stride in the final furlong.

The tactics are unlikely to change when Victory Chuckle starts in a one-mile handicap at Benalla Racecourse on Monday. Once again, Victory Chuckle rates as a contender in a field of nine.

Benalla, located about 80 miles northeast of Melbourne, has a nine-race program that begins at 9 p.m. Eastern or 6 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Victory Chuckle, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Craig Weeding, beat maidens in a seven-furlong race at Corowa on Dec. 28, his second start after a 10-week layoff.

At Benalla, Victory Chuckle will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Hannah Edgley. Her presence reduces Victory Chuckle’s assignment from 138.8 pounds to 132. The outsiders Secret Way and Koalabull should ensure a quick pace to help Victory Chuckle’s chances.

Edgley, who began riding in October, won with nine of 50 mounts from Dec. 16 to Jan. 14, her most recent racing day.

Victory Chuckle will be in pursuit of Mischinka, a 7-year-old mare who has been in the best form of her career in the last two months.

A winner of 4 of 37 starts, Mischinka won a handicap at about a mile at Wangaratta on Dec. 11, finished third in a one-mile handicap at the Hanging Rock meeting at Kyneton on Jan. 1, and won a one-mile handicap at Benalla on Jan. 16. In each of those races, Mischinka raced as a stalker.

Cuffe’s Grange, a winner of 2 of 12 starts, will carry top weight of 138.8 pounds. Cuffe’s Grange was 4-1 in early betting on Saturday behind Mischinka and Victory Chuckle who were both 2-1 joint favorites.

Cuffe’s Grange, who will be fitted with blinkers for the first time at Benalla, is winless in six starts since a seven-furlong handicap at Wangaratta last April.