Dick Powell’s Australian Pick of the Week Jan. 23, 2019

Race 3 at Tamworth is for older horses going seven furlongs around a right-hand turn. Australia is in the midst of record heat and drought so I expect the course to be on the firm side of good. Based on the morning line for the race, the field of 10 is evenly matched. This is not a field with many prolific winners so there are not horses with tons of back class and lay over the field based on body of work. Most of the entrants have between one and three wins and only Herecum da Drums (#2) has five. I like Making Shadows (#6) as this week’s Australian Pick. His lone win came going this distance on heavy ground but that was more a result of his late running style than his love of wet tracks. He has run well on good turf courses and has a win and a fourth at this distance of seven furlongs. Off for five months, he returned in December with two barrier trials to get ready. Last out, he rallied from way back to narrowly miss. In a field of 12, he broke from post 9 and finished the race full of run. With that race under his belt, he now shows up here second start off the layoff with a good run under his belt. Throw in the two preceding barrier trials and he should be at his best. What makes Making Shadows even more attractive is his connections. Trainer Cody Morgan trains right at Tamworth and he is 30 percent with his last 50 starters and 22 percent for the past year. Apprentice rider Wendy Peel gets aboard for the first time and she is 20 percent with her last 50 mounts and 14 percent for the past year. When Wendy Peel rides for Cody Morgan, she is six for 14 – 43. Hot trainer, hot jockey and a great winning percentage when paired up leads us to this week’s Australian Pick. 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.