Australia: Westlink looks to end long losing streak in Cowra handicap
Westlink is in the midst of a 10-race losing streak that may discourage some bettors from considering the 7-year-old gelding as a contender in a six-furlong handicap at Cowra Racecourse in Australia on Sunday.
Westlink has not won since October 2020, but there are a few signs that the veteran could pull a surprise at Cowra.
Trained by Darren Hyde, Westlink’s form tailed off last June and July when he failed to finish a restricted handicap at Ipswich Racecourse last June and finished 10th of 13 in a restricted race for horses based with stables in the Australian countryside at Sunshine Coast Racecourse in July.
Westlink did not race again until Christmas Eve when he finished eighth of 11 as the 4-1 third choice in a six-furlong handicap at Wagga Wagga Racecourse, losing by about three lengths. The loss was not a bad effort considering the layoff.
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For the race at Cowra, Westlink was 7-1 in early betting on Friday in a race that lacks a strong favorite.
Bombdiggity and Oriental Runner were the joint 5-2 favorites, followed by Elusive Eagle at 4-1. Similar to Westlink, those leading runners also have flaws in their recent form, but can win with top efforts.
Bombdiggity, who is quick enough to lead, won a five-furlong handicap at Moruya Racecourse on Dec. 19, but was third, beaten a little more than 3 3/4 lengths, in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Gilgandra Racecourse on Jan. 2.
Oriental Runner was last of seven in the Christmas Classic Stakes at six furlongs at Canterbury Park on Jan. 7, and will appreciate this drop into an easier field. Oriental Runner was a game third in a six-furlong handicap on Dec. 17 at Canterbury.
Elusive Eagle, who drew the rail in this 11-runner field, is winless in four starts, and was fourth in the same race at Bombdiggity at Gilgrandra on Jan. 2. Elusive Eagle is quick enough to show speed and may need to do so from an inside post.
Cowra has a nine-race program that starts at 8:40 p.m. Eastern, or 5:40 p.m. Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.