Australia: Zelady Luck seeks elusive first win in Monday handicap

In three consecutive starts in December and January, the Australian filly Zelady Luck found trouble in seven-furlong races at Royal Randwick and Warwick Farm racecourses in Sydney.

Not surprisingly, Zelady Luck was winless, but it is a credit to her perseverance that she finished third in the second of those races.

For her third start of 2023, Zelady Luck has an easier assignment in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Hawkesbury Racecourse near Sydney on Monday evening. The field is a slightly lower class level than Zelady Luck’s last three races.

Zelady Luck is again racing at seven furlongs and is likely to take her customary position near the front of a field of eight.

Trained by Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Zelady Luck will be ridden by apprentice jockey Amy McLucas, who won with six of 50 mounts from Dec. 18 through Feb. 5, her most recent day of racing.

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McLucas, 23, has three mounts on the eight-race program at Hawkesbury, which begins at 9:15 p.m. Eastern, or 6:15 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Zelady Luck drew post 7 and is likely to be near the front early. She may face an early challenge from The Halo, who is likely to go favored on the strength of a nose loss when second in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on Feb. 4.

The Halo won a handicap for fillies and mares at this level at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong Racecourse on Jan. 18, racing near the lead throughout.

The Hawkesbury race is the first start against winners for Dear Jewel, who won a maiden race at six furlongs at Newcastle on Jan. 17 in her first start since August. Dear Jewel stalked the pace to the final 50 yards and won by 1 1/4 lengths.

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