Dick Powell’s Australian Pick of the Week Feb. 13, 2019

Race 7 at Australia A (Wagga) Wednesday night is an open handicap going seven furlongs around a right-hand turn. A field of 11 older horses are entered and the ground is expected to be good. FREE International Past Performances every day at Brisnet.com! NOBLE DESCENT (#7) (4-1) has a win and a second against this class level in his last four starts. He rallied from off the pace to win easily here in his first start off a long layoff then came back with a good second going seven furlongs in very fast time. He won again next time out when dropped in class then returned against this level last out and was an even third going a mile. The six-year-old gelding gets in with only 120 pounds and returns off a 52-day rest for trainer Gary Colvin, who is 10 for 50 recently. Noble Descent draws post five, giving jockey Adrian Layt the option on the turn of going inside or outside. The bay son of Nicconi has four wins here over the years and looks to be well spotted. The horse to beat is probably SPUNLAGO (#1) (6-1). He won against similar company here on December 24 while carrying 134 pounds, then was off until a barrier trial last week. He gets severely penalized off that win, forced to carry 139 pounds, and figures to be shuffled back into traffic from post 3. The seven-year-old gelding’s speed ratings are superior but it seems to me that he will need a race to be at his best. Hot rider Chad Lever picks up the mount – 13 for 50 lately. A live longshot is FIREMAN SAM I AM (#2) (14-1), who returns off a six-month layoff. He had been running at nine and 10 furlongs, and showed good speed each time. Now, the six-year-old gelding only has to carry 127 pounds while turning back to seven furlongs, a distance that he has won over twice before. Noble Descent looks to be the right combination of recent form and sensible weight assigned to win this at 4-1. ***Don’t forget TwinSpires.com‘s Australian Racing Bet Back offer where you can receive up to $5 back on your first win bet if your horse finishes second. This offer is valid on the Australia A track Monday through Thursday if you opt in and play at least four races on a single day using the new TwinSpires platform. There is a maximum bonus of $50 per player each week.