Australia: Werribee handicap rematches four runners who met at Sandown

A handicap at 1 5/8 miles at Australia Park in Werribee outside of Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday is a reunion of sorts from a similar handicap at Sandown Racecourse earlier this month.

Cernan, who finished third, is one of four runners from that race who are part of the 10-runner field at Werribee.

A winner of 2 of 17 starts, Cernan was beaten less than two lengths in the Sandown race at 1 1/2 miles on June 12, closing from eighth in a field of 14. Trained by Peter Moody, Cernan is winless in nine starts since a handicap at Sandown last July. He has finished second or third in four of those starts.

The Werribee race also includes Royal Crown, Sign Seal Deliver, and Shakespeare, who were seventh through ninth at Sandown on June 12. Shakespeare was the 5-2 favorite and was beaten 5 1/4 lengths while closing from 13th.

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Of the four runners from the June 12 race, Sign Seal Deliver has the most recent win, a handicap at about 1 1/2 miles at Warrnambool Racecourse on May 4. Sign Seal Deliver, a winner of 3 of 21 starts, tends to run near the front. Sign Seal Deliver was beaten 4 1/2 lengths at Sandown.

Royal Crown has won 3 of 13 starts and started in group stakes as recently as last September in the Group 3 JRA Cup at about 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley, finishing eighth. Trained by Michael Kent, Royal Crown was a stakes winner at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield in April 2020.

The Werribee program begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, or 7:15 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.