Australia: Waller pair figure to attract bettors' attention in handicap

Mubariz and Mulinka, 4-year-olds foaled in different hemispheres, give trainer Chris Waller two excellent chances in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs on Wednesday at Canterbury Park in Australia.

Mubariz, a English-bred gelding, has won 2 of 10 starts. By Dansili, Mubariz has had four starts in Australia, winning his most recent race in a handicap at a mile at Warwick Farm on May 13. In England, Mubariz won a maiden race at Nottingham Racecourse in 2018 for trainer Roger Charlton. Mubariz had his final start in England last August.

Jockey James McDonald rode Mubariz on May 13 and retains the mount. Mubariz was third, 11th, and second in his first three starts in Australia before the breakthrough win.

Mulinka, an Australian-bred filly, has won 2 of 7 starts. By All Too Hard, Mulinka won her 2020 debut in a handicap on May 27 at Canterbury Park as a 3-1 chance in a field of 10. Her form tailed off last June and July before a layoff.

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Mulinka won a maiden race at Canterbury Park in June 2019. Top rider Hugh Bowman has the mount for the first time Wednesday since a third in a maiden race in January 2019.

The recent wins by Mubariz and Mulinka will look attractive to bettors. Mubariz, who will carry 130 pounds, and Mulinka, who has been assigned 127.8 pounds, have a slight advantage in the handicap over topweight Chalmers, who will carry 134.4 pounds.

Chalmers won a seven-furlong handicap at Port Macquarie in April and has been 10th and second in his last two starts.

The role of pacesetter could go to Galahad’s Quest, who set the pace in a seven-furlong handicap on May 26 at Newcastle before fading to finish third.\

Canterbury Park, located on the outskirts of Sydney, has a six-race program, beginning at 11:25 p.m. Eastern, or 8:25 p.m. Pacific, on Tuesday.

Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.