Belmont Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER The track is a Good 3, as of Friday lunchtime, with the penetrometer at 6.1 (Perth measurements are different from those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track). The rail moves to the nine-metre position. It was at six metres last Saturday and 18 metres midweek. According to manager Geoff Murphy the track may improve with no watering, and it is expected to be a very nice pad to race on. There was rainfall in the first half of the week, however Belmont is a wonderful winter racing surface that handles all the elements. Belmont is a great track that gives every horse its chance. FORECAST Fine. Minimum 7, maximum 18
Race 1 – Helena Vale Handicap [86+] [3YO+] 2200m, 2:25pm [EST] With Dante's Banquet (3) in a staying event you can always expect a truly run race. It's Gulleygold (5) will be prominent. This will be a true test. Star Encounter (1) has been unstoppable of late and the scary thing is, she has done it in races that have not been truly run. She is an outstanding staying prospect who will relish a genuine tempo. The daughter of Jeune has won four of her past five starts and, from a lovely draw, will get all the favours again. Adam Durrant has taken an astute 3kg allowance with Duncan Miller, bringing her in with the same weight she carried to victory last start. She is a genuine Perth Cup contender later in the year. Bold front-runner Dante's Banquet was seen back to his brilliant best last week, thanks to a daring front of field ride by veteran hoop Danny Miller. He has a nice weight advantage, and Miller can be expected to serve up some daring tactics again. Quality galloper New Spice (2) has had two runs back in WA after a disappointing
campaign in Melbourne, and worked to the line soundly in the York Stakes last week. He had a good record around this distance range early in his career, and can be expected to put in another honest effort. Dante's Dash (4) was run off her feet over 1400 metres last start; look for a big lift now she is up to the 2200 metres. She was a winner third-up last time in (over 2100 metres at Ascot) and will relish the rise in journey. Money Exchange (8) is honest as the day is long and can earn some minor prize money.
THE VERDICT: Betting markets will dictate whether you bet-up again on (1) Star Encounter. If the price is right, there’s no reason not to back her. (3) Dante's Banquet is the one for her to get past. (2) New Spice and (4) Dante's Dash won't be far away. (8) Money Exchange must be included in wider exotics.
Race 2 – Perth Racing's ‘Owner For A Day’ Plate, [2YO] [Open] 1200m 3pm [EST] This is a competitive juvenile event; expect plenty of natural speed to be on show. For Your Eyes Only (2) will be able to lead easily if Craig Staples chooses to go there. Classic Smile (3), Frenchman (1), Statewide (9) and Cobble Lane (4) will all be prominent. I am looking for a touch of value with Street Related (6), who made his debut when fifth to The Corporation over 1000m at Ascot over Christmas last year. He was able to find the box seat easily, prior to the speed slackening. Thereafter the leaders proved a little too nippy for him over the 1000 metres. It was a strong field, with a classy youngster winning, and the genuine Dawinner among the beaten brigade. The benefit of that experience, a rise in distance and the engagement of William Pike, back from Hong Kong, are all pluses. Street Related is by the top sire Street Cry, from an unraced daughter of the Group 1 winning mare Not Related. He will probably drift back early, and finish with a rush. For Your Eyes Only is likely to start favourite, following a soft trial win at Belmont on June 22. This speedy filly went bang, bang in her first campaign,
impressively winning back-to-back races at Ascot in March. She pulled up shin sore following a well-beaten last in the Group 2 Karrakatta, and she is the horse they will have to run down. Court Crusader (7) is a well-bred youngster, a half-brother to Stakes winner Cation, and smart filly Grand Oscar. His winning trial at Belmont on June 22 was solid, and you can expect a forward performance on debut. Frenchman has had a nice break between runs, and will get a soft run from his good draw. The 1200 metres is ideal. Statewide (on debut) was impressive winning at the Belmont trials on June 22, Red Hot Choice (8), resuming from February, was run down late when second to For Your Eyes Only in his trial. Classic Smile is in good form.
THE VERDICT: (6) Street Related is a nice each-way gamble first-up. Save on (2) For Your Eyes Only and anchor her in quinella bets. Watch betting with (7) Court Crusader, (9) Statewide and (8) Red Hot Choice. (3) Classic Smile goes in the multiples.
Race 3 – Westspeed 3YO Hcp [3YO] [62+] 1000m 3:40pm [EST] Expecting Most Secretive (6) to show a wing on every hoof again and lead her rivals a merry dance. I doubt any of her rivals can apply pressure in the run. High-class miss Broadway Belle (1) has won four of her five starts, and probably should be unbeaten. She was confidently ridden to victory with 58kg last time – Paul Harvey allowed her to stride around the field from the 600 metres, and she never looked like losing. Promising galloper Kasabian has enhanced that form with a dominant maiden win at Northam during the week. After the 3kg claim for Duncan Miller, Broadway Belle gets in with 56kg, and is the clear top pick. Golden Heart (5) is another promising young horse who is still a work in progress. He is racing well over the 1000 metres, however he will eventually make a lovely 1400-1600m performer, after Adam Durrant is able to teach him to fully chill in his races. Moonlight Drive (4) was dominant over this course and distance last
month, and from an inside draw will get all the favours. Most Secretive is very fast, and with the addition of a tongue-tie, improvement is predicted. In a quality field Go Buster (7), Lead Rope (3), Destino (2) and Cocky Boy (8) are all above average.
THE VERDICT: If they let you on, (1) Broadway Belle is the obvious way to go. There is not much between (5) Golden Heart and (4) Moonlight Drive. Include (6) Most Secretive, (7) Go Buster, (3) Lead Rope, (2) Destino and (8) Cocky Boy in multiples.
Race 4 – Become A Perth Racing Member Today Hcp [3YO+] [74-86] 1650m 4:17pm [EST] Nice natural speed expected, with solid pressure. Late Night Flight (10) is expected to lead, with King Kool Kat (9) outside the speed. Tudor Lad (7) and Zhamenka (3) will be handy. Emerging galloper Tudor Lad has a wonderful record with four wins and two seconds from six starts. He could not have been any more impressive putting away quality mare Strait Laced easily here last start, carrying 57.5kg. It was a tremendous ride by Jason Whiting to find cover and not spend a penny in the run, from a tricky draw. No such problems here, with barrier three putting him in a beautiful trailing position, and he drops 4kg as he shoots for a winning hat-trick. Scenic Bullet (2) is a very promising middle-distance/staying horse who resumed with a closing sixth behind Foxy Boy last start. Watch for him to be doing his best work again late and continue to follow. King Kool Kat has been very brave this time in and will give backers a sight, as he always does. Battle Emblem (4) was back to his best at big odds last time and, with the speed on, he will be running on strongly again. He won’t be 25/1 in this.
THE VERDICT: Back (7) Tudor Lad and save on (2) Scenic Bullet, both progressive types. Both (9) King Kool Kat and (4) Battle Emblem will be very competitive. Include (6) Garavanni, (5) Talk To The Wall, (3) Zhamenka and (11) Rich Ken in wider multiples.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG 5 –www.ozbet.com.au Hcp, [3YO+], [62-74], 1650m, 4:52pm [EST] Expect a nice natural tempo with every horse having its chance. Murphy's Creek (7) and Justavision (8) will be prominent, with Insurgency (1) and Red Monarch (11) potentially lobbing into handy positions. I am looking for a touch of value here with Zilvain (9). I like the way this horse has been going about things this time in. He has not drawn a barrier in four runs, however has run some terrific races. He finally gets a marble to give Alan Kennedy the chance to ride a race on him. He was forced to work overtime to find a position on top of the speed last start, and was still digging deep on the line. From barrier three he should fall into a nice trailing position fifth or sixth, and give backers a real run for their money. Zuytdorp (2) is flying at the midweeks and deserves a crack at Saturday grade. He is a big horse who will handle the 58kg, and looks likely to trail Zilvain everywhere he goes. Former Victorian Insurgency was always going to appreciate Belmont more than Ascot. He has been excellent at his two runs this time in. He steps up a grade but will get every chance for Paul Harvey from a nice draw (4). Mighty Ronnie (5) is working into winning form following a 17-month break. He is among the winning chances, along with Beau Rancher (3), who has been running on well in his races since resuming.
THE VERDICT: (9) Zilvain looks a nice each-way gamble. Save on (2) Zuytdorp, who is flying! (1) Insurgency, (5) Mighty Ronnie and (3) Beau Rancher go in quaddies. (6) Last Curtain and (7) Murphy's Creek go into wider exotics.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG Race 6 – Winter Reds In The Terrace Hcp [74-86] [3yo+] 1000m 5:27pm [EST] Speed to burn and there will be loads of pressure applied to the leaders. Lachino (3) and Chopin (10) lead, with Centrum (7) to be prominent. Ma Ma Machine (1) is the 1000-metre track record holder and just loves the Belmont 1000-metre course. Again from a nice draw (5), he will get a lovely trail behind the pressure and go ‘bang’ late. Quality
sprinter Centrum was very brave first-up, working overtime outside the leaders and never giving up the chase when second to Ma Ma Machine. He is favoured by a 1.5kg turnaround, however the barrier (11) is an issue again. I am expecting enormous improvement from Casper Cowboy (4). He drew wide and went back when resuming. He was not competitive thereafter, but with the engagement of Harvey, he should get a soft run three back on the fence. On The Carpet (6) is a promising sprinter resuming and will box seat. There is also a big watch on the two quality mares returning, Classofherown (12) and Brooklyn's Rose (8).
THE VERDICT: Bet confidently on (1) Ma Ma Machine and save on (7) Centrum, who just needs luck from his wide draw. (4) Casper Cowboy is the blow out. Watch betting with (6) On The Carpet. Include (12) Classo fherown, (8) Brooklyn's Rose, (10) Chopin and (11) Kim Currency in multiples.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG Race 7 – Blackfriars Handicap [68-80] [3YO+] 1300m, 6:02pm [EST] Expect plenty of speed and pressure here. Saffron Fire (2) finally finds a race she can dominate from the front, with West River Boy (12) to be prominent and Secret Enigma (1), Strait Laced (10) and Spitfire Ace (5) all capable of racing handy to the speed. I think Arctic Waters (9) has found a suitable race to make a real impact after two runs back from a spell. His was an eyecatching performance on resumption (June 6) when sixth to Ma Ma Machine in track record time. Last time he went back from a wide gate on a day when horses behind midfield were unable to figure in the finish. I still thought he finished that race off well enough to follow him at his next start. He won over the Belmont 1200 metres third-up in September last year, and the way I expect this race to be run, he will be ideally suited. I have him in a sweet spot, trailing the horse to beat – the sharp Pentire mare Strait Laced (10). She has a knack of drawing a nice gate (4), and has been hard to fault at her four WA runs (two wins, two seconds). Nothing went right last time, when the riderless Jay Four Ex forced Alan Kennedy to get going earlier on her than he intended. She fought hard to the line behind a nice type in Tudor Lad, and Pike returns to the saddle this time. She will be hard to beat!
Secret Enigma trialled well, winning at Belmont on June 9 before resuming here behind Foxy Boy on June 20. He went back from a wide gate (similar to Arctic Waters), on a day when it was impossible to make an impression from behind midfield. From the good draw (3), he will get all the favours. Look for a big lift. The three-year-old Spitfire Ace returns from a little freshen. He trialled super, winning a Belmont trial on June 22, in slick time. The draw (15) hurts, but if the red hot Shaun O'Donnell can weave some magic, he will be in the finish.
THE VERDICT: Back (9) Arctic Waters each-way and save on (10) Strait Laced. (1) Secret Enigma and (5) Spitfire Ace go in quaddies. Include (14) Rocking The Blues, (7) Hide The Loot, (3) Rocky Range, (12) West River Boy and (2) Saffron Fire in wide multiples.
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG
will get a nice run in transit. I did not mind the trial of veteran sprinter Star Laser at Belmont on June 22, when a close third to Spitfire Ace. The 8YO is real quality at his best, and gets in well after the 3kg allowance for Ben Kennedy. He should be able to box seat from his nice draw (4).
THE VERDICT: Back (13) Foxy Boy and save on (2) Beat The Storm. (6) Kens Double is a live winning chance. (4) Star Laser will give backers a sight. Include (5) Oroya Gold, (1) Naval Seal, (14) Stratazoa, (9) Snip Esprit, (12) Dress Suit and (11) Comic Hero in wide multiples.
Best Bets Race 6, No. 1 Ma Ma Machine Value Race 5, No 9 Zilvain e/w Race 7, No 9 Arctic Waters e/w
Quaddie Options:
Race 8 –
1,2,3,5,9/1,4,7,6/1,5,7,9,10,14/2,6,13 $360
www.perthracing.com.au
1,2,3,5,9/1/1,5,7,9,10,14/2,6,13 $90
Sprint, [86+], [3YO+], 1200m, 6:37pm [EST]
2,9/1,7/9,10/2,13 $16 ($1 units)
The race of the day! They will run along with pressure drawn all over the track. Comic Hero (11), Stratazoa (14), Naval Seal (1) and Star Laser (4) all have natural speed and will be prominent.
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It’s hard to jump off the winning train of Foxy Boy (13). He has been flying since resuming, winning two of his three starts, with his second-up victory a 1200-metre track record. He loves this circuit with the fire out of the track and the way he exploded last start, it is hard to see any of his rivals holding off that sort of finish. Again he will drift back to midfield off a fast speed and come late. It was a massive effort by Beat The Storm (2) in the Belmont Sprint. He raced three wide without cover throughout, outside Universal Ruler, and fought doggedly to the line, going down to that top-shelf sprinter by 1.75 lengths in fourth spot. He is a good weight carrier, and Lucas Camilleri, who knows the horse well, returns to the saddle. He will look the winner at some stage. It is hard to fault the form of Kens Double (6) against the best off-season sprinters in the state since he resumed on May 30, when second to Grand Nirvana in the Gr3 Roma Cup (1200m). He has looked the winner in both the Roma and the Gr 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) (third to Universal Ruler), so looks beautifully placed. He is another horse who
Good luck and happy punting!
Josh Rodder, www.perthracing.com.au