Australia: Wild Spree will be tough if she draws into Echuca handicap
Wild Spree can win her second start of 2022 in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Echuca Racecourse in Australia, if she can draw into the race from the also-eligible list.
Wild Spree finished third of nine in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ballarat Racecourse on July 10 in her first start in 15 months. Wild Spree closed from the back of the field to lose by slightly less than two lengths.
The comeback suggests that Wild Spree will benefit from a longer race at Ecucha.
Trained by Patrick Payne, Wild Spree’s lone win in six career starts was a six-furlong maiden race at Pakenham Racecourse in January 2021. She has been effective as a stalker as well as racing from off the pace.
The race at Echuca will have a maximum field of 12 starters, but drew 17 entrants.
If Wild Spree does not draw into the field, Thoughts’n’prayers has the credentials to win. A 5-year-old gelding, Thoughts’n’prayers won a seven-furlong handicap at Hobart Racecourse in Tasmania in his most recent start July 10, his third race of the year.
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Thoughts’n’prayers ran on the Australia mainland last year, winning once in five starts. He is quick enough to set the pace.
Atomic Selfie is likely to be a slight favorite over Thoughts’n’prayers. A winner of 3 of 13 starts, Atomic Selfie was assigned top weight of 132 pounds, but will carry 127.8 because of the booking of apprentice jockey Hannah Edgley.
Edgley was aboard Atomic Selfie for the 4-year-old filly’s most recent win in a handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse in May. Atomic Selfie has lost three subsequent starts, a span that includes a nose loss in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo on June 19.
Atomic Selfie tends to run as a stalker and will be helped if Thoughts’n’prayers sets a quick pace.
Echucha has a nine-race program beginning at 9:55 p.m. Eastern, or 6:55 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.