Surrey Thunder looks to make inroads in Australia

In Europe, Surrey Thunder was a minor stakes winner in France, third in Group 3 races in France and Germany, and fifth in the German Derby, all in 2019.

In Australia this year, Surrey Thunder was fourth in his debut in the country, in a handicap at Rosehill Gardens on March 28. Now trained by Chris Waller, who looked after the world famous mare Winx, Surrey Thunder will have his second start in Australia in the Vinery Handicap at a mile at Warwick Farms Racecourse on Wednesday.

Warwick Farms, located in Sydney, is one of four racecourses holding programs on Wednesday that will be simulcast to the United States. The races are late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning across American time zones. Wagering is available at DRFBets.com.

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Surrey Thunder, who will be ridden by James McDonald, is part of a field of 16 and will carry topweight of 132 pounds. In his Australian debut, Surrey Thunder was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Royal Celebration in the Ranvet Handicap at seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

Royal Celebration, trained by Ron Quinton, may go favored in Wednesday’s race. Royal Celebration, who will carry 130 pounds, ended a five-race losing streak dating back to November 2018 in the Ranvet Handicap.

Surrey Thunder has won 2 of 10 starts. He won the Grand Prix de Clairefontaine at 1 1/2 miles in France last August, his only win in seven stakes appearances.

Race conditions may work in favor of Rainbow Thief, who carries 128 pounds. Trained by Michael Moroney, Rainbow Thief was fourth in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 28. Rainbow Thief was a winner as recently as late February in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Ladbrokes Park Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne.

Milk Man, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred is the lone American-bred runner in Wednesday’s field. Milk Man began his career in France, where he was third in a minor stakes at Marseille in 2018. Milk Man has struggled in Australia, going winless in four starts since August.