In his final start in Britain in 2022, the gelding Naval College won an allowance race at 1 1/2 miles on the synthetic track at Lingfield Racecourse near London. The stamina shown in that win is useful background information when Naval College starts as a heavy favorite in the $131,500 Australia Day Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Warwick Farms Racecourse in Sydney on Thursday evening. Purchased for approximately $223,000 at a horses in training sale in Britain in October 2022, Naval College has won 4 of 8 starts in Australia, with all the wins at 1 1/8 miles or 1 1/4 miles, including his last two starts. The gelding was previous trained by Michael Stoute for Queen Elizabeth II. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing Naval College, now trained by Annabel Neasham, won the January Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 13, closing from third to prevail by 3 3/4 lengths. Jeff Stanley rode Naval College in the January Cup, but leading jockey James McDonald has the mount for the first time in the Australia Day Cup. Through Wednesday, McDonald led all riders in Australia with approximately $13.6 million in earnings since the season began on Aug. 1. Naval College is part of a field of 13 in the Australia Day Cup, which is run under handicap conditions. The race is part of a seven-race program that begins at 9:40 p.m. Eastern or 6:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com. Naval College will carry 129 pounds, slightly less than topweight Great House, a two-time Group 3 winner who will carry 130 pounds. Great House is rated as a longshot in the Australia Day Cup after finishing 11th at 20-1 in the January Cup. Yankee Hussel, who has won her last three starts, is rated as a greater threat to Naval College. A 4-year-old filly, Yankee Hussel was unsuccessful in stakes earlier in her career. Her current winning streak consists of three handicaps at distances ranging from 1 3/16 miles to 1 1/2 miles since early December, including a lucrative race at Rosehill Gardens at 1 1/2 miles last Saturday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.