Semeco set the pace, raced as a stalker, and overcame traffic issues to finish third in a handicap at 1 3/16 miles at Traralgon Racecourse in Australia on Nov. 27.
A slightly less eventful trip could result in a second career win for Semeco in a handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne on Thursday evening across American time zones.
Derma Sotogake won his third consecutive start, and first stakes, in Wednesday’s $529,000 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at a mile for 2-year-olds at Kawasaki Racecourse in Japan, earning 20 qualifying points for the 2023 Kentucky Derby on May 6.
Derma Sotogake, finished a head in front of Omatsuri Otoko, who was a length in front of the previously unbeaten Perriere in a field of 14.
Galaxy Belle qualified for the Summer Provincial Series final with a win in the last available trial race at Newcastle Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 3. The victory assured Galaxy Belle a berth in a contentious field of 15 in the one-mile Summer Provincial Series final at Hawkesbury Racecourse on Wednesday evening across American time zones.
A 6-year-old mare trained by Kris Lees, Galaxy Belle ended an eight-race losing streak at Newcastle, closing from fifth in a field of eight to win the one-mile race by 1 3/4 lengths.
Paul Lally:
R1 2-7-5-1
R2 2-7-12-3
R3 1-5-7-8
R4 1-12-8-9
R5 1-9-4-5
R6 5-9-4-3
R7 4-5-2-3
R8 9-3-4-6
R9 1-2-4-12
Best Bet R4 N1 Durham Star
Longshot R9 N1 California Cible
Play R8 QQP 3-4-9
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Nick Child:
Fire Lane is the only winner in a field of 13 in the $135,100 2-Year-Old Classic at Wyong Racecourse in Australia on Tuesday evening across American time zones, but the recent victory has not afforded the filly much respect in early betting.
As of Monday, Fire Lane was 7-1, with the colt Mach Ten (2-1) and fillies Summer Loving (5-2) and Infatuation (7-2) gaining more support even though they were beaten in their last starts.
Liberty Island won for the second time in her third start in Sunday’s Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan, a performance that makes her the filly to follow in the spring classics in early 2023.
The win in the $917,280 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies is likely to lead to the 2-year-old filly championship for Liberty Island. The year-end awards are announced in early January.
A return to a five-furlong handicap may lead to a second career win for Play My Song at Tuncurry Racecourse in Australia across American time zones on Monday evening.
A 3-year-old filly, Play My Song was the even-money favorite in early betting on Sunday in a field of 12 on the second race of an eight-race program that begins at 9:35 p.m. Eastern, or 6:35 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
The claim on best horse in Hong Kong may have shifted Sunday at Sha Tin, where superstar miler Golden Sixty went down to defeat in the Hong Kong Mile and rising star Romantic Warrior scored a breathtaking victory in the Hong Kong Cup.
Romantic Warrior can’t hold a candle to Golden Sixty’s accomplishments – not yet, at least - but pound for pound he could be the superior performer after posting a dominant 4 1/2-length win in the $4.37 million Hong Kong Cup, the feature on the annual Hong Kong International Races program.
The lightly raced gelding Ithicus may have a slight edge thanks to a recent win and a tactical advantage in a five-furlong handicap at Orange Racecourse in Australia on Sunday evening across American time zones.
Ithicus won his second start in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Narromine Racecourse on Nov. 15 and followed with a second by three lengths to pacesetter Jet Pack at 5 1/2 furlongs at Mudgee Racecourse on Dec. 2.