Southern Chilli, a game second in a sprint at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia July 12, will start favored to win for the third time in his eighth start in a handicap for fillies and mares at 6 1/4 furlongs at Canterbury Park in Sydney Tuesday evening.
In three career starts since early June in Australia, Maryland Bridge has never been worse than second. She lost her debut by less than a half-length, beat maidens in her second start, and was second by a half-length in her first start against winners on July 10.
The consistent series of races suggests Maryland Bridge can show further improvement when she starts for the first time at seven furlongs in a handicap at Bathurst Racecourse on Monday evening.
A hefty weight assignment and an oddly-run race led to a third-place finish for the veteran Australian gelding Classy Joe in a marathon handicap at Narrandera Racecourse on July 16.
A week later, Classy Joe has a more favorable assignment in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Sunday evening.
The use of apprentice jockeys is a significant reason why Baglioni has finished first and second in two recent starts leading to the Sawtell Cup at Coffs Harbour Racecourse in Australia Saturday evening.
Baglioni won a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Coffs Harbour June 16 when ridden by apprentice Courtney Bellamy, the daughter of trainer Brett Bellamy. Courtney Bellamy carried 131 pounds, 4.5 pounds less than the original assignment.
Aidan O’Brien sent out his first Irish Oaks winner in 2006 and will be widely expected to saddle his seventh on Saturday at The Curragh. O’Brien trains half the eight horses entered in the 1 1/2-mile fixture including Savethelastdance, heavily favored in antepost wagering with English bookmakers.
The role of favorite in the $108,400 Winter Challenge Stakes at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on Friday evening depends on whether the talented filly Semana draws into the big field from the also-eligible list.
The Winter Challenge Stakes, run at 7 1/2 furlongs, will have a maximum field of 14. Semana is the first entrant on the also-eligible list and was the 5-2 favorite in early betting on Thursday over Resonator and Barbie’s Fox, who were both 7-2.
The odds may change significantly after scratches.
A high weight assignment and a seven-race losing streak will prevent some bettors from supporting Dubai Nights in a six-furlong handicap at Lismore Racecourse in Australia on Thursday evening.
But a troubled trip last month, and an expected pace to follow at Lismore, can help Dubai Nights win for the second time in his ninth start in a race restricted to colts, gelding and horses.
An extraordinary 2022/23 Hong Kong horse racing season ended in remarkable fashion on Sunday, 16 July at Sha Tin Racecourse and reinforced Hong Kong’s world-class racing with history-making performances of outstanding horses, trainers and jockeys.
Following two subpar performances to begin her 4-year-old campaign, the filly Nashwa bounced back in a big way winning the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on Friday at Newmarket in England.
Coming strongly between horses under Hollie Doyle with a furlong and a half to run in the one mile straight-course contest, Nashwa drew powerfully clear to post a five-length win over the the capable 3-year-old filly Remarquee, who got nine pounds from the winner. Heavily favored Via Sistina was no match for Nashwa while finishing third.
