Australia: Wyong handicap draws well-matched group of maiden winners

California Press, Captain George, Invictus Lad, Ponca, and Sebring Sunset meet for the first time in a six-furlong handicap at Wyong Racecourse in Australia on Wednesday evening across American time zones.

The four geldings and the filly Ponca approach the race with similar form – they all won maiden races in their last starts in the final weeks of November.

The handicap drew a field of 12, including Sacred Delago, a maiden race winner in his last start in June.

As of Tuesday, Invictus Lad (3-1) and Sebring Sunset (4-1) led early betting.

Invictus Lad has started once, winning a six-furlong handicap at Gosford Racecourse on Nov. 17, closing from fifth of eight. Invictus Lad is out of the stakes winner Rose of Choice and is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden. Peter Snowden also trained Rose of Choice for part of her career that included a second and third in two Group 3 races.

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Sebring Sunset, trained by Joseph Pride, was 10th in his debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury on Nov. 3, but rebounded to win his second start in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Hawkesbury on Nov. 17. Sebring Sunset also runs from off the pace.

California Press, also a closer, needed nine races to beat maidens, finally doing so at Hawkesbury in a race at 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 17. Captain George won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Wyong on Nov. 24 in his fifth start, and first race since May. Captain George is quick enough to race near the front.

Ponca will be an outsider at Wyong. A stalker, Ponca won a six-furlong maiden race for fillies and mares at Gosford on Nov. 19 in her fifth start.

Wyong has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern, or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.