Australia: Willo Titto brings consistency into Murwillumbah Cup

A consistent campaign at minor tracks in Australia since early July has left the 6-year-old mare Willo Titto the favorite, and 136.6-pound topweight, in Friday’s Murwillumbah Cup at Murwillumbah Racecourse.

Trained by Michael Costa, Willo Titto was third in a seven-furlong handicap at Grafton Racecourse on July 8, won a handicap at about a mile at Doomben Racecourse on July 24, and was third by less than a half-length in the Coffs Harbour Cup at Coffs Harbour on Aug. 5.

Those races were preceded by a two-month rest. Earlier this year, Willo Titto was winless in six starts, including two second-place finishes in handicaps and a 12th-place finish in a field of 14 in the Group 3 Epona Stakes at 1 3/16 miles at Rosehill Gardens on March 27.

The recent stretch of starts in lesser races at countryside tracks has been a boost for Willo Titto.

In the Murwillumbah Cup, Willo Titto will break from post 4 in a field of 11, which should suit her stalking style. A versatile mare, Willo Titto has won 8 of 34 starts at distances ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 3/8 miles.

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Willo Titto’s main rival is Ready to Humble, a winner of 5 of 12 starts. Ready to Humble won a five-runner handicap at seven furlongs at Gold Coast Racecourse on July 31.

Ready to Humble will break from the rail in this field. A 5-year-old gelding, Ready to Humble tends to run from off the pace. His five wins have been at distances ranging from six to 7 1/2 furlongs.

The 6-year-old gelding Wild Moon is an intriguing longshot. He won a one-mile handicap against a lesser field at Tamworth on July 23, but was fourth of 14, beaten about 1 3/4 lengths, in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Coffs Harbour on Aug. 5.

Murwillumbah has an eight-race program beginning at 10:45 p.m. Eastern, or 7:45 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.