Karaka Lad returns to Australia in Sale handicap

Karaka Lad has had a different start to his career than most horses in Australia.

After winning his first two races in early 2021, Karaka Lad was sent to Hong Kong where he finished 11th of 12 in his only start at Sha Tin Racecourse last November.

Karaka Lad was sent back to Australia after that loss and has his fourth start in a six-furlong handicap at Sale Racecourse on Wednesday evening across American time zones.

Trained by Ben and J.D. Hayes, Karaka Lad is expected to resume the success he had at the start of his career, at least by the measure of early betting. Karaka Lad was 8-5 on Tuesday morning, a slight choice over Prowling at 2-1 in a field of 11.

A 5-year-old gelding, Karaka Lad is expected to set the pace under jockey Daniel Stackhouse and is drawn well for that style in post 3.

Prowling, a 4-year-old gelding, also is returning from a layoff and tends to run from the back of the field. Prowling beat maidens in his second start last September and is winless in his last six races, two of which were stakes.

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Prowling has not raced since he finished seventh of 12 as a 40-1 outsider in the Bendigo Guineas at seven furlongs in April. Prior to that defeat, Prowling was more competitive, finishing a close second in three consecutive starts from mid-February to mid-March.

Trained by Greg Eurell, Prowling could benefit at Sale if Karaka Lad and the 4-year-old mare Savonia engage in any sort of speed duel. Savonia beat maidens in a race at about 7 1/2 furlongs in her ninth start in March and has not raced since she finished sixth of 11 in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes at 1 1/8 miles for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old fillies in April.

Sale has an eight-race program beginning at 11 p.m. Eastern, or 8 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.