Australia: Zavy’s Hope shortens up in Murwillumbah handicap

Zavy’s Hope was beaten about a neck in a handicap at Grafton Racecourse in Australia on Sept. 21, a narrow setback that ended a two-race winning streak.

The loss came in a race at about 1 3/8 miles, the longest of Zavy’s Hope’s 10-race career. The experience could be a significant benefit when the 4-year-old Australian-bred mare starts in a handicap at the slightly shorter distance of about 1 1/4 miles at Murwillumbah Racecourse on Monday.

Zavy’s Hope is trained at Murwillumbah by Charles O’Rourke, whose stable has been in excellent form in recent months, winning with 4 of 13 starters since Aug. 1. Zavy’s Hope represents two of those wins – a maiden race at about 7 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 3 at Lismore, and a handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 31 at Grafton.

Monday’s handicap at Murwillumbah drew a field of seven and is the third race on a seven-race program that begins at 10:45 p.m. Eastern, or 7:45 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Zavy’s Hope will carry 121 pounds, well below topweight Sawtell at 131 pounds.

Sawtell, who starts from the rail, was 10th in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 27 at Port Macquarie and is winless in his last four starts since May at Kempsey Racecourse.

Dash for Van has strong credentials, having finished second in his last two starts. He was second by a half-length in a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 28 at Murwillumbah in his most recent start, closing from fifth.

Dash for Van and Zavy’s Hope have led in recent races, but also shown the ability to stalk the pace.

Monday’s distance works for the 6-year-old mare Rival Mo, by Uncle Mo. Rival Mo won a handicap at about 1 3/8 miles on Sept. 29 at Grafton, ending a six-race losing streak.

Russian Camelot loses

The future-book market for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Nov. 3 has a new favorite after Russian Camelot finished second to Arcadia Queen in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse.

Russian Camelot, the 1-5 favorite in North American pools, led in the stretch of the $714,000 Caulfield Stakes at 1 1/4 miles, but could not hold off Arcadia Queen ($12) who won by 1 1/4 lengths. Arcadia Queen has won two Group 1 races in her career.

Russian Camelot and Arcadia Queen lead future-book betting for the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Oct. 24.

Tiger Moth, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was the 7-1 future-book favorite for the Melbourne Cup as of Saturday, with Russian Camelot at 9-1. Tiger Moth won the Group 3 Paddy Power “Is It 2021 Yet?” Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Leopardstown in Ireland on Sept. 12 and was recently shipped to Australia.