The last time Flying Agent was beaten in a steeplechase he finished sixth of seven in the Grand National Chase at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia a year ago. Flying Agent has won two subsequent chases, a record that makes him a strong favorite in the $241,100 Grand National Chase going 2 13/16 miles at Ballarat on Saturday evening across American time zones.
There has been more news off the track than starts this year in Australia for the multiple stakes winner Alligator Blood.
Munitions was a good second by a nose in his debut for the stable in a handicap at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney on Aug. 13. The narrow loss was a prep for the $103,600 Goldmarket Stakes at six furlongs at Gold Coast Racecourse south of Brisbane on Thursday evening across American time zones.
With three career starts, Demon Blood is the veteran among the leading candidates in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo Racecourse on Wednesday evening across North American time zones.
A Kentucky-bred horse by Declaration of War, French War has excelled at extended distances in the last few months, leading to an intriguing test in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Tuesday evening across American time zones.
Blackbeard and Aristia scored front-running Group 1 victories on Sunday at Deauville Racecourse in France.
Deepstar has been a busy mare in Australia the last month and seems to be thriving on the activity. Deepstar was third on July 23, first on July 30 and second on Aug. 9, racing in sprint handicaps. Trained by Luke Pepper, Deepstar will have her sixth start of the year, all since June 24, in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Scone Racecourse on Monday evening across American time zones.
Arriva Diva had two starts at Ellis Park in 2019 as a 3-year-old, finishing seventh and sixth in maiden races. Sent to Australia, Arriva Diva, by Curlin, has won 4 of 11 starts. Arriva Diva will have her second start of 2022 in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Sale Racecourse across American time zones on Saturday evening.
Arriva Diva had two starts at Ellis Park in 2019 as a 3-year-old, finishing seventh and sixth in maiden races. That was the last she would see of the United States. Sent to Australia, Arriva Diva, by Curlin, has won 4 of 11 starts, with all the victories at longer sprint distances. A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred, Arriva Diva will have her second start of 2022 in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Sale Racecourse across American time zones on Saturday evening.
Alpinista won her fifth Group 1 in a row, adding an English race, the Yorkshire Oaks on Friday at York Racecourse, to top-level tallies in Germany last year and France to start the 5-year-old mare’s season.
