There are sprinters and then there is the speedy group in the fifth race at Ipswich Racecourse in Australia on Friday. They will compete at four furlongs, a specialty distance for many starters in the field of nine, and understandably the shortest of seven races on the program.
Jazzland is the sort of veteran runner that wins in certain circumstances. In his 19-race career in Australia, Jazzland has won seven times, leading throughout in six of those victories. He has not won from off the pace since a maiden race in November 2018 in his second start.
In 2018, Home Ground was a minor stakes winner in Australia and ran in three Group 1 races before he was exported to Hong Kong.
Dubai Tycoon closed from fourth to win a seven-furlong handicap by about 1 3/4 lengths at Moree Racecourse on July 6, his fourth victory in 15 starts. Dubai Tycoon may have a similar trip in Monday’s Forbes Cup at Forbes Racecourse in Australia.
Tallyho Twinkletoe completed a rare double in Australia last August, winning the Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Chase in consecutive starts. He was the first horse to sweep the two races since Mosstrooper in 1930. The 10-year-old gelding, may have a chance to repeat that historic achievement this year. Sunday, Tallyho Twinkletoe will start favored in the $178,500 Grand National Hurdle on the Lakeside course at Ladbrokes Park in Melbourne.
Polly Grey may be a slight favorite in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia on Saturday.
Shiranda will complete a busy July when the gelding starts favored in Friday’s Mackay Cup at Mackay Racecourse in northeast Australia.
Three-year-old filly Fancy Blue, with the help of a nine-pound weight break, will try to take down a salty bunch of older fillies and mares in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on Thursday at Goodwood.
One bad trip cost Mohaather any chance at winning the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes last month at Royal Ascot but another one couldn’t keep him from victory in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes on Wednesday at Goodwood.
Youngblood went from being a multi-race maiden to a multiple winner when he was tried in marathon races for the first time last month in Australia.
