A slight drop in class may propel Defiant Diva to her third win in her last six starts in a handicap for fillies and mares at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday evening across American time zones.
A winner of 4 of 12 starts in her career, Defiant Diva will start at about 9-2 in a field of eight at seven furlongs, judging from early wagering on Monday.
The only thing missing from Backrower’s comeback in Australia on Aug. 13 was a win.
In his first start since early June, Backrower closed from fourth to finish second by a nose in a handicap for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, narrowly missing a second win in his third career start.
The elusive second victory may arrive when Backrower starts as an odds-on favorite in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse on Monday evening across American time zones.
Beau Night, Bubbly Lass and Stonefield each lost last out because of a poor start or trouble in the stretch.
With a better trip, one of them can win a seven-furlong handicap at Benalla Racecourse on Sunday evening across American time zones.
Beau Night was a slight favorite as of Saturday over Bubbly Lass and Stonefield in a field of 14. All eight races at Benalla drew fields of 12 to 14 runners, making for intriguing betting races on a program that begins at 11 p.m. Eastern or 8 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
The last time Flying Agent was beaten in a steeplechase he finished sixth of seven in the Grand National Chase at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia a year ago.
Flying Agent has won two subsequent chases, a record that makes him a strong favorite in the $241,100 Grand National Chase going 2 13/16 miles at Ballarat on Saturday evening across American time zones.
The Grand National Chase, Australia’s top jump race, is the last race on a six-race program at Ballarat that begins at 9:55 p.m. Eastern or 6:55 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
There has been more news off the track than starts this year in Australia for the multiple stakes winner Alligator Blood.
Alligator Blood was banned from racing in the states of New South Wales and Victoria in recent months because of bankruptcy proceedings involving owner Allan Endresz. On Monday, majority ownership of the 6-year-old Alligator Blood was transferred to Gerry Harvey, the horse’s breeder. Previous co-owners Jeff and Robyn Simpson retained an interest.
Munitions was a $500,000 yearling purchase by Godolphin Racing at Keeneland in 2017, a hearty investment that never paid off.
Munitions was a Group 3 winner in France in 2019, and was sent to Australia in 2020. Munitions lost 10 races in Australia until he was purchased in an online auction for approximately $22,000 earlier this year by current trainer Richard Litt.
With three career starts, Demon Blood is the veteran among the leading candidates in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Bendigo Racecourse on Wednesday evening across North American time zones.
Three runners with less experience – Bews, Obfuscation, and Thalursian – have equally appealing records that could propel them to their second wins.
French War won his debut in a one-mile race last September, the shortest distance of his seven-race career in Australia.
A Kentucky-bred horse by Declaration of War, French War has excelled at extended distances in the last few months, leading to an intriguing test in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Tuesday evening across American time zones.
Blackbeard and Aristia scored front-running Group 1 victories on Sunday at Deauville Racecourse in France.
Blackbeard disputed the pace from the start and pushed on to a half-length victory in the Prix Morny, a straight-course six-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds. Trainer Aidan O’Brien won his first Prix Morny since 2001 as Ryan Moore rode Blackbeard, a strapping son of No Nay Never and Muirin, by Born to Sea, to his fourth win from six starts.
Deepstar has been a busy mare in Australia the last month and seems to be thriving on the activity.
Deepstar was third on July 23, first on July 30 and second on Aug. 9, racing in sprint handicaps. Trained by Luke Pepper, Deepstar will have her sixth start of the year, all since June 24, in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Scone Racecourse on Monday evening across American time zones.
Deepstar has been based with Pepper for her last three races, having previously been trained by Cameron Crockett for three starts from last November to early July.