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.

The Hungarian, a 4-year-old Australian-bred gelding, needed three races in 2022 to beat maidens, living up to his promising pedigree.

For 2023, The Hungarian has every chance to rise through Australia’s competitive handicap divisions, beginning with his debut against winners in a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Sunday evening.

The Hungarian, trained by Paul Messara, was the 6-5 favorite in early betting Saturday to build on his maiden race win in a seven-furlong race at Tamworth on Nov. 29, his second start following an eighth-month layoff.

The 6-year-old gelding Cheptegai has bounced around some of the smaller tracks in Australia in recent months, efficiently winning three of his last five starts.

Cheptegai was favored in only one of those races, but will be the public choice in the Cowra Japan Cup at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Orange Racecourse on Saturday evening. A start at Orange fits with the way Cheptegai has been raced of late, with a focus on sprints at smaller venues.

Equinox was named 2022 Horse of the Year in Japan earlier this week after winning two of the country’s leading races for older horses in the final months of the year.

Equinox, a colt by Kitasan Black, received 282 of the 288 votes cast for Horse of the Year. Titleholder, named champion older colt or horse, received six votes.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, January 15, 2023)

In his 23-race career, the Australian gelding Mix has won six times, but has never raced beyond seven furlongs.

Mix won at that distance in a handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Jan. 3 and will start at about a mile for the first time in the Ballina Cup at Ballina Racecourse on Thursday evening.

The distance may work for the 5-year-old gelding, who tends to run from off the pace. The key to winning the Ballina Cup will be a clean trip. The race drew a field of 18 and will be limited to 14 runners. Mix has a good position in post 7 to aid his closing style.

Bettors might take a lesson from the Al Fahidi Fort Stakes on Jan. 6, opening night of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Heavily favored Noble Truth had William Buick, top rider for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. He finished last of 15. James Doyle rode Al Suhail for Godolphin and Appleby. He won by four lengths. This was reminiscent of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where Doyle piloted Rebel’s Romance to victory as Buick rode shorter-priced Nations Pride to a fifth-place finish.  

A month after she returned to racing following an eight-month layoff, Time to Dazzle starts at a mile in a handicap at Gunnedah Racecourse in Australia on Wednesday evening.

The distance could be key in an attempt to end a 10-race losing streak since July 2021.

A winner of 4 of 29 starts, Time to Dazzle has won at distances ranging from a mile to 1 1/4 miles. Since her return to racing in December, Time to Dazzle has finished sixth in a race at six furlongs on Dec. 13 and a brighter third by 2 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs on Dec. 23.

Paul Lally:

R1 3-11-12-1
R2 6-11-1-5
R3 7-3-2-10
R4 1-10-7-8
R5 6-1-10-7
R6 3-9-10-4
R7 7-2-5-8
R8 3-4-7-6
R9 7-11-10-4

Best Bet R8 N3 Encountered
Longshot R5 N6 Solar Power
Play 2nd Double Trio R4,5
1>5,7,8,10
6>1,3,7,9,10

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Mark McNamara:

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 11, 2023)