Australia: Turf condition should be in Typhoon Harmony's favor at Bendigo

Heavy turf on the Parks course at Morphettville Racecourse in Australia did not suit Typhoon Harmony on July 17.

Racing on an expected soft turf course could put the 5-year-old gelding in position to win for the third time in his eighth start in a seven-furlong handicap at Bendigo Racecourse on Sunday.

Typhoon Harmony was fourth at Morphettville on July 17, fading from contention in the final furlong to lose by about 4 1/4 lengths as the 7-5 favorite in a seven-furlong handicap. The loss was Typhoon Harmony’s third race following a five-month layoff, a span that includes a win in a handicap at about 5 1/2 furlongs at Geelong on soft turf on June 18 and a second there in a handicap on soft turf in a handicap at about 6 3/s4 furlongs on July 2.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

A 5-year-old gelding, Typhoon Harmony is part of a competitive field of 12 in the final race on the Bendigo program. The card begins at 10 p.m., Eastern, or 7 p.m., Pacific, on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Trained by Peter Gelagotis, Typhoon Harmony, who is quick enough to take a prominent position from the start, will be well backed, although Beltoro will be the rightful favorite in his first start since late March.

In the early months of the year, the 4-year-old Beltoro was sixth of 15 at 100-1 in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at a mile at Flemington on March 27 and fifth in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes at about 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley Racecourse on March 13.

Beltoro, trained by Robert Hickmott, won his debut in a maiden race at Bendigo last November. On March 27, Beltoro was fourth in the St. Leger Trial at 1 3/8 miles at Bendigo, finishing 4 3/4 lengths behind Liqueuro, who won a minor stakes in his following start.