Dick Powell’s Australian Pick of the Week Jan. 30, 2019

Race 4A at Scone is for older horses going 1 3/8 miles around right-hand turns. Australia is in the midst of record heat and drought so I expect the course to be on the firm side of good. FREE International Past Performances every day at Brisnet.com! This is a handicap race and the spread of weights is significant. The high-weighted runners are the ones who have the most career wins but are they good enough to overcome the impost? I am going to go with a low-weighted runner in ARLO’S WAY (#8) (11-2). He only has a maiden win to his credit but it came on this course going a mile in decent time. Since then, the five-year-old gelding has faced good company going longer. He finished well twice going this distance here to finish up 2018 before just missing last out going shorter in a Class 1 race at Armidale at a shorter distance. The son of Arlington gets a rider upgrade to Wendy Peel while only having to carry 119 pounds. Peel is 10 for her last 50 mounts and 14 percent for the year. Back on 10-day’s rest, Arlo’s Way should be fit and ready going back to 11 furlongs. If he is going to win his second race, this looks like the right spot at a good price. The horse to beat is clearly THE MIST (#6) (11-4). He beat cheaper last out by almost three lengths on a very soft track and moves up a notch in class while dropping five pounds. He shows a win on good turf, has two wins at this distance and gets Keagan Latham back aboard – 18 percent with his last 50 mounts. Handicap racing is a battle between form and weight. Horses in good form might not be able to replicate it as the weights increase. Horses out of form can suddenly look good if enough weight is taken off. LATIN LIGHT (#4) (15-2) has been facing better but he picks up 16 pounds off his last race when he weakened going shorter. He has dangerous speed and if it weren’t for the weight, he has the look of a horse who is cycling back into good form. ***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.