Australia: Zorro's Dream back from layoff as a gelding in handicap at Mornington
Since he beat maidens in his second career start in Australia last November, Zorro’s Dream has finished last of eight as the 6-5 favorite in a statebred stakes at Ballarat Racecourse and was later gelded.
Nine months later, Zorro’s Dream returns to action in a six-furlong handicap at Mornington Racecourse in the Australian state of Victoria.
Trained by Mitchell Freedman, who through Tuesday has won with 2 of 11 runners this month, Zorro’s Dream was the 2-1 second choice in early betting in a field of 12. Mensa Missile was a slight favorite.
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If that holds, it will be the first time Zorro’s Dream has not been favored. He was 6-5 when second at Cranbourne in a maiden race last October, the even-money favorite when he beat maidens at Kyneton, and 6-5 when eighth in the Eureka Gold Stockade Stakes last November, part of a bonus series for Victoria-breds.
Zorro’s Dream, who will carry 133 pounds, will be ridden for the first time by John Allen, and will probably race as a stalker. Mensa Missile, who shares top weight of 134.4 pounds with Darci’s Tune, is likely to be near the front.
Mensa Missile, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, had led or disputed the pace in his three starts, all earlier this year. Mensa Missile was second in a maiden race on the Kensington course at Royal Randwick in February, won a maiden race at 6 3/4 furlongs at Wyong on March 10 and was sixth of 10 in the minor Albury Guineas Handicap at seven furlongs on March 20.
Mensa Missile has not started in five months. He will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in Thursday’s race.
First post time at Mornington is 11 p.m. Eastern or 8 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
If the layoffs of Mensa Missile or Zorro’s Dream work against those 4-year-olds, Albarado could benefit. Only a 3-year-old in the Southern Hemisphere, Albarado won his debut in a maiden race against Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds at Ballarat on May 31 and returned to finish second in a lucrative handicap at seven furlongs at Flemington Racecourse on June 20.
Albarado, who will carry 131 pounds, is a threat from off the pace.