As the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Astra Stakes at Santa Anita Park, Australia Mia makes her U.S. bow with high expectations for owner-breeder Don Alberto Stable in the 1 ½-mile turf marathon.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Street Sense, Australia Mia raced exclusively in Chile before arriving at trainer's Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita barn in October. While in Chile, Australia Mia racked up nine wins in 19 starts, all on turf, including a pair of Group 2's at distances ranging to a mile-and-a-quarter. The 5-year-old mare surfaces in the Astra after working five times at Santa Anita since Dec. 10.
“She's been here quite some time and has settled in nicely with a steady series of works,” McCarthy said Friday morning.
For the Astra, Australia Mia has lured the services of top jockey Frankie Dettori. They will break from post five in a nine-horse field. The Astra will be Australia Mia's first start since last June, a runner-up effort in a Group 3 going a mile and a quarter at Club Hipico.
While a multiple winner at the 10-furlong distance, McCarthy acknowledged the extra quarter mile of the Astra remains a question mark. However, he noted the time was right to get Australia Mia's U.S. campaign started.
“We didn't really find anything that fit on the calendar. We thought a mile might be a little too sharp for her,” McCarthy said. “We'll get started here and if it is a tick too far, we'll cut her back to a mile-and-an-eighth type thing.”
The Astra goes as the eighth race on Saturday's 10 race card with an approximate post time of 3:30.
The field in post position order:
- Warrens Candy Girl, Umberto Rispoli, 6-1;
- Lady Clementine, Flavien Prat, 5-1;
- Queen Ofthe Temple, Juan Hernandez, 3-1;
- Duvet Day, Kazushi Kimura, 6-1;
- Australia Mia, Frankie Dettori, 5-2;
- Almost A Factor, John Velazquez, 15-1;
- Tiz An Adventure, Mike Smith, 6-1;
- Barrister's Ride, Ricardo Gonzalez, 12-1;
- New Heat, Abel Cedillo, 20-1.
The post Astra Favorite: Chilean Group 2 Winner Australia Mia ‘Has Settled In Nicely’ For Michael McCarthy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
