Australia: Yulong Storm tries to stay perfect on year
The Kentucky-bred gelding Yulong Storm is having a perfect year in Australia, going unbeaten in three starts since late July.
Two of the wins have occurred at Swan Hill Racecourse outside of Melbourne, the venue of Yulong Storm’s appearance in a six-furlong handicap on Friday. Yulong Storm is trained by Nathan Hobson, who is based at Swan Hill.
By Scat Daddy, Yulong Storm has a fascinating history. He was purchased for $500,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September yearling sale by M.V. Magnier and was initially named Bechstein and in training in Ireland with Aidan O’Brien.
Yulong Storm never raced for O’Brien. He was later shipped to Australia, and had his name changed, before finishing fourth in his debut in April 2019. Yulong Storm had one win in six starts through 2019 when trained by Peter and Paul Snowden. Yulong Storm was transferred to Hobson before his first start this year.
The recent wins have been in handicaps at distances of 4 3/4, 5 1/2, and 6 furlongs. In each start, Yulong Storm closed from off the pace.
Friday’s race is the seventh race on an eight-race program that begins at 11:30 p.m., Eastern or 8:30 p.m., Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Yulong Storm will be ridden by Craig Newitt, who has been aboard for the three wins this year.
:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing
The handicap drew a field of 10. Hobson also starts Reward With Return, a 7-year-old gelding who has won 12 of 72 starts. Reward With Return is quick, and led throughout a five-furlong handicap at Bendigo Racecourse in May. Reward With Return has run against tougher competition in four subsequent starts, including a second-place finish in a six-furlong handicap at Swan Hill in June.
Vungers, a 7-year-old gelding, also runs near the front, but has raced at a mile in recent starts. He may not be quick enough to keep pace with Reward With Return at six furlongs, but could be close.
Vungers won a one-mile handicap at Moonee Valley in March and has not raced since a third-place finish in a handicap at a mile at Bendigo in May. Friday, Vungers will have his 28th start. A four-time winner, he will be fitted with a tongue tie for the first time.