Australian Pick of the Week for December 11

Race 1 at Echuca (Australia A) on Wednesday night is a maiden at special weights for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs around one left-handed turn with a long run down the backstretch. The track designation is Good-4 so it should be favorable to all running preferences. 

#2 Cupid’s Bow could not overcome post 10 in her career debut back in June when racing on a very heavy track at Geelong. Five horses have come out of that maiden race to win since. Given a spell, she returned last month at Pakenham Park over similar ground and raced closer to the pace, surging to the lead before getting run down. The daughter of Smart Missile was heavily bet that day and draws well for her second start off the layoff. Anthony Freedman (11-for-50 lately) switches to Damien Thornton, who is a solid 10% rider.  

#7 Smokin’ Salmon made her career debut off two decent trials and she was beaten just over a length at long odds at Wangaratta. She earned a decent speed rating that day and with the usual second-start improvement, the filly should be a factor in here at generous odds. Despite the race being just over two weeks ago, three horses have come back to win. A daughter of Redente, Smokin’ Salmon showed good pace that day and her natural speed be well suited from post five. Russell Osborne has been hot lately (11-for-50) and he goes with Harry Coffey, who is winning at an 18% rate this season.

#3 How Womantic makes her career debut without a barrier trial so you will want to check the toteboard to see if there is any betting support. She was purchased for AUD$50,000 at auction and is trained by the powerful team of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who have combined to win more than 18% of their starts this year. How Womantic’s young sire, The Wow Signal, was a brilliant juvenile colt in Europe who won his first three starts including a Group 1 in France. The Wow Signal has fantastic pedigree for success Down Under being sired by Starspangledbanner and out of a dam by High Chaparral.  

Dick Powell’s Pick 

Cupid’s Bow can handle these if she continues to show improvement in her fourth career start.