Australia: Surf Sonic cuts back at Dubbo Racecourse

The Australian gelding Surf Sonic is slowly putting a disrupted career behind him.

A 5-year-old, Surf Sonic has won 2 of 11 starts in a career that began in September 2019. Monday at Dubbo Racecourse, Surf Sonic will have his fifth start since late October when he returned from a layoff of more than 14 months.

The recent span of races have been encouraging, notably a second in a one-mile handicap at Taree Racecourse on Jan. 3 when Surf Sonic led in the stretch and finished slightly more than a length behind Valley’s Sister.

At Dubbo, Surf Sonic will race at 6 1/2 furlongs in a handicap, a distance that may be a better fit than a mile. Surf Sonic has won at 6 1/4 furlongs and seven furlongs.

This will be Surf Sonic’s first start for new trainer Rodney Northam, who replaces David Fromberg. Surf Sonic joined Fromberg’s stable when he resumed racing in October 2021.

At Dubbo, Surf Sonic is part of a field of 13 in the fifth of eight races on a program that begins at 9:30 p.m. Eastern or 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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As of Saturday, Surf Sonic was the 7-2 second choice behind Miss Kojiki at 9-5. Shylock was the third choice at 5-1.

Miss Kojiki, a 4-year-old filly, has won 2 of 17 starts and been second in seven races. Miss Kojiki won a five-furlong handicap at Warren Racecourse in November, but has been beaten in her last three starts. On Jan. 10, Miss Kojiki finished second by a head in a handicap at 5 3/4 furlongs on the infield Beaumont course at Newcastle, closing well to just miss.

Shylock won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Bathurst Racecourse on Dec. 20 in his most recent start, but does have good sprint form in his not-too-distant past. Shylock won a maiden race at seven furlongs at Wellington Racecourse last March.