Maiden-winning sprinters try first-level race at Muswellbrook
From late January to late July, Call Me Louis, Koga Ninja, and Shuttle Run won maiden races in sprints in Australia. Those victories have led to their first starts against winners in a first-condition handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Thursday evening.
They are expected to dominate the betting in a field of nine, each holding strong credentials to continue their recent successes.
Call Me Louis has not raced since Jan. 30, when he closed from fifth of nine to win a maiden race at 6 3/4 furlongs on the Beaumont course at Newcastle Racecourse in his fourth start.
Call Me Louis had a tune-up for his comeback by finishing second of nine in a five-furlong workout from the gate, or barrier trial, at Tamworth on July 28.
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The same day at Tamworth, Koga Ninja won his fourth start in a five-furlong maiden race as the even-money favorite in his first appearance since February. Koga Ninja was the even-money favorite and raced near the front throughout in the short race.
Shuttle Run needed two races to reach the winner’s circle. After finishing fourth in his debut in a five-furlong maiden race at Hawkesbury on July 9, he won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs two weeks later at Nowra, closing from fourth of nine to win by a length.
Shuttle Run may race closer to the front on Thursday evening than he did in his first two starts. The gelding will be fitted with blinkers for the first time.
Aside from the three well-regarded recent maiden race winners, the mare Plussey won her last start in a 90-1 upset in a six-furlong maiden race for fillies and mares at Newcastle on July 25.
Of the runners with more established form, Touch of Navy is rated as a contender after a second by a neck in a first-condition handicap at six furlongs at Newcastle on July 25.
Muswellbrook has a nine-race program beginning at 9:55 p.m. Eastern or 6:55 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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