Australia: Harlem Groove should be tighter for Newcastle handicap

After a recent fourth, the Australian gelding Harlem Groove will have his second start following a six-month layoff in a six-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse in Australia on Monday evening.

A winner of 2 of 11 starts, Harlem Groove was beaten a length in a handicap at 5 3/4 furlongs in the infield course at Newcastle on Dec. 26, closing from seventh in a field of nine to nearest the front at the finish.

Monday’s race is on the exterior turf course, and will be Harlem Groove’s first start on the surface even though he is based at the track with trainer Paul Perry.

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Harlem Groove races as a closer, so the slightly added distance of Monday’s race compared to his recent start should help the 4-year-old gelding.

Harlem Groove was 6-1 in early betting on Sunday.

Cheerful Legend was the 3-1 favorite on the basis of a slight class drop following a fifth-place finish in a six-furlong handicap against a tougher field at Canterbury Racecourse on Jan. 1 in his first start since July.

Cheerful Legend, a winner of 2 of 16 starts, also races as a closer. He has won twice at six furlongs in his career, most recently at Mornington Racecourse near Melbourne in September 2021.

Cheerful Legend is winless in his last nine starts. He was transferred from Australian trainer John Sadler to Nathan Doyle in the second half of 2022.

The 4-year-old filly Silk Tie will get a much-needed class drop after losses in her last six starts. She has raced against tougher rivals in her last three starts, finishing sixth, fifth, and eighth since early December. Silk Tie is another starter who runs from off the pace.

Newcastle has a seven-race program beginning at 9:50 p.m. Eastern or 6:50 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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