Belmont Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a good 2, penetrometer is 6, and we start the Belmont season with the rail in the inside position. The brand new Belmont track is in outstanding order, enhanced by an amazing run with the weather in the west, with the last few weeks in the high 20s and constant sunshine. Belmont is a great track that allows every horse their best chance. FORECAST FOR SATURDAY FINE. MIN 13
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Race 1 - Free Entry For The Return To Belmont Park Hcp, [57+], [3yo], 1600m, 2:14pm [EST] There will be a touch of pressure early, until they settle. I then predict a mid-race slacken and then Hawkeye M ort (1) and Royal Dev ot ion (2) to track across from wide gates, and take up the running, with Kankarma (9), D oct or Dash (8) and Negra Santo (5) handy to the speed. I really think Royal Devotion (2) has the makings of a quality open grade Stakes mare. She has been outstanding in this campaign – she has returned a complete package. Scored a slick Bunbury 1000m victory in slashing time on Mar 10, and has subsequently finished runner-up at headquarters, followed by back-to-back Ascot wins. Was dominant, ridden like the best horse outside a slow speed last time and despite this being her sixth run this time in, she does look better than her rivals. Like many of the Verglas progeny she has taken some time to handle the racing caper. The rise in distance will pose no issues as she is out of the former top grade middle distance mare Never Blue. W. Pike will give her the best opportunity, despite the outside gate. Maiden filly Berma ise (6) was game finishing fourth at Ascot behind Negra Santo on April 29, after sitting three wide with cover, back from an Oaks start (April 4), where she failed to stay. Will more than
likely go back, but watch for her late, to inject value into multiples. Camarosa Lady (3) battled on strongly behind Negra Santo after being ridden forward, outside the leader, at her first start beyond 1200m. Still a slight query on her at 1600m, but if ridden quietly she should be finding the line. Negra Santo was ridden to perfection by Shaun O'Donnell to score last start and again will get all the favours from a nice draw.
THE VERDICT (2) Royal Devotion is a class above her rivals and should win, from the value (6) Bermaise, (3) Camarosa Lady, (5) Negra Santo.
Race 2 – Westspeed 2YO Plate, [2yo], 1200m, 2:49pm [EST] This is a juvenile race with nice depth and the pressure will solid, with Lady Do ll (8) [blinkers on], Re gol Street ( 3), R om ida (5) and Dawin ner (6 ) all having natural dash. Look for the horses that can camp off the speed and be saved for a final burst. I keep coming back to the first starter, New I mage (11 ), a More Than Ready filly unbeaten in three impressive trials in March/April. She is in the hands of astute horseman Jim Taylor and will carry the famous cerise, white crossed sashes, quartered cap of leviathan owner Bob Peters. I was really taken by her last trial win at Belmont when, in blinkers, she was asked to sit on top of the speed and have a good hit-out. She did not handle the bend after sitting outside the lead, but was able to balance back up for a soft win. On her trial form she looks a natural. She is out of 1999 WA Oaks winning filly Reflected Image and has definitely inherited some of mum’s ability. She should be positioned behind speed and come with a booming finish. Interestingly enough W. Pike swaps from the last start winner Jevb on (1), to New Image. Bold front running filly Dawinner has been terrific this time in. She smashed them at Bunbury (1100m, April 1) then gave a great sight after working hard on the speed in the Sires’ and the Jacks Or Better, two of this state’s feature juvenile races. The query is how much work will she be asked to do from the wide gate?
Jevbon is another emerging talent. He still has not quite put it all together, but was still able to score last time thanks to a gem of a ride by Pike. The three kilo apprentice Duncan Miller takes the ride. Jevbon is another who will sit back – I’m not sure whether he is a kid’s horse? Lady Doll was all at sea on debut for an inexperienced apprentice, finishing 5th of 10 behind the unbeaten Angelic Heart. Subsequently sent back to trials, where she had an easy run in blinkers, when second to Arcaxaar on April 28. Blinkers stay on and she should get all the favours from the box seat. I' m Ca lled Earl (2 ) (resuming), Ro mida (5) (does everything right), About Even ( 7) (wants 1400m) and Special Pr oject (12 ) (ability but still learning) can all get into the money.
THE VERDICT (11) New Ima ge looks very promising. I’m happy to watch market moves and follow in. (6) Da winner and (1 ) Jevb on are both in great form and are winning chances. (2) I 'm Cal led Earl, (5) Ro mida, (7) Ab out E ven and ( 12) Special Pr oject can be placed.
Race 3 – Westspeed 3YO Hcp, [62+], [3yo] 1200m, 3:25pm [EST] Zeda Mak (6) is an early scratching. There does not appear to be a lot of on speed pressure. I have changed my selections several times here, believing this is a race in four. Lead R ope (3) and Spitfire Ace (1) can dictate from the front. Spitfire Ace has returned from a summer spell as polished racehorse. He has been very good at three runs this time in, with his only defeat coming when second to the above average Wild Times at Pinjarra on March 25 (first up). He has shown an electric turn of foot at his last Ascot wins and should prove hard to get past although back to 1200m from the 1600m. Barn Bu rner (4) has raced without luck throughout this prep, and Pike takes over. Drawn to box seat and will be another strong on the line. Lead Rope resumes without a trial (last run Dec 8), but on what she showed in her last campaign, she has some quality about her. Drawn to lead and if she gets her own way in front could stack them up and sprint
home a sharp final section. Her form last time in around Liquidation was very good. Cardinal Rei gn (5) was gelded during his spell, and returned at the midweeks on April 29). He displayed a sharp burst wide out before just peaking on his run 100m out. He was still too strong on the line, beating Aussie Fighter over 1200m. Drawn well and is another with a touch of class about him. He is definitely a Belmont Guineas candidate.
THE VERDICT Have a close look at the betting and mounting yard before choosing one – however one of (1) Spitfi re A ce, ( 4) Barn Bu rner, (3) Lead R ope and (5) Cardinal Rei gn will win. (8) Dash Of Brains can sneak a place at odds.
Race 4 - Become A Perth Racing Member Today Hcp, [68-80], [3yo+], 1000m, 4:10pm [EST] Punk'd (5) is an early scratching. There is speed everywhere as you would expect in a open 1000-metre race, and the pressure will be right on. WA debutante Hawas ( 7), Bull D urham (1 ), M igh ty Mak (1 1), New Addit io n (8 ) and Freeti me ( 10) all have natural toe. Classof herow n ( 3) and Honou r Of Den mark (4 ) fought out a thrilling finish at Ascot last month and I believe that form will hold up here. Classofherown is unbeaten in two runs this time in. Connections strategically elected to dodge the class sprinters in the Northam Sprint last Sunday and tackle this easier option. She is drawn awkwardly (9), however with the predicted speed she should take up a nice position with cover, midfield, and come with a rush. She did beat Icy Maiden on her merits first-up and that form was franked with Icy Maiden’s win last week in mares’ company. I believe this mare is on the way up. Honour Of Denmark dipped and nearly fell at the start last time before taking up a nice position behind the leader Marunouchi. He got out at the right time, looked the winner, before being nailed late by Classofherown. He will get all the favours on the back of the speed from gate 1 and once again will look the winner. I reckon this pair should quinella the race but I’m leaning to Classofherown. Blinkers were added to Casan ova Jack (6) last time at Bunbury and it was a high rating win. Duncan Miller takes a 3kg claim. He is another who will be suited with the speed on, and is likely to sit just off the pressure in running.
Form lines around The Slam and Coronate read well for a race like this. Ame lia 's Reason (9) has the looks, the ability and the trainer, however this time in he just does not look interested. If he brings his A-game he will make things interesting. Hawas and Freetime have both performed well at the trials but this may be a touch rich for them first-up.
THE VERDICT Leaning to (3) Classofher ow n from (4) Ho nou r Of Den mark. One of the pair will win and they look a good quinella/exacta bet. (6 ) Casan ova Jack tries hard and must be included in multiples, with (9) Amel ia's Reaso n, ( 10) Freet ime and (7) Hawas for the wider exotics.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG Race 5-
www.ozbet.com.au Hcp, [68-80], [3yo+] 1000m, 4:50pm [EST]
Speed is everywhere! Once again looking for horses positioned just off the speed and the pressure. A verroes (9), St orm On By (3) , B li zzard Rid ge (6) , McDru min (7) and E mpire West (4 ) all have speed to burn. I could not help but be impressed with the trial and appearance of Storm On By at Lark Hill recently. The Pateman/Chatfield combination is flying at the moment and Storm On By goes like a bomb first-up. He can sit or lead and I reckon he is the horse to beat. First-up last time in was not far off Belmont 1000m specialist Diamond Highway in a similar race. Ma Ma Machi ne (5 ) has only won one from 13 (10 placings!), but I like the way he is hitting the line, off a new racing pattern. Settled last, got inside runs and charged late when third behind Classofherown and Honour Of Denmark at Ascot on April 18. His only win was at Belmont and a quality senior rider takes over. He is drawn well and has strong winning claims. Empire West is a gutsy short course mare, but once again she is drawn awkwardly in the outside gate. No horse did it tougher when she resumed with a brave fifth to Classofherown. Three wide no cover in fast run race and was still giving at the finish. Another who loves Belmont and if she has taken no harm from that run, will give a great sight. Axtel (2) is the blowout. He resumes at 1000m without a trial, pacifiers off and expecting him to be sprouting wings late. Despite being unplaced in two fresh runs he has raced well. Last season at Belmont,
he was a strong second to Gilded Venom (subsequent Railway winner) and Reverend Lovejoy (current form horse) over further. Generalaz (10 ) was enormous at the midweeks with 58kg (3rd to Versaint) and gets down in the weights in Saturday grade. Drawn to get a nice run and will be another running on strongly.
THE VERDICT Another difficult race but happy to gave something each way on (3) St orm On By, with ( 5) Ma Ma Mach ine, (4) Empi re West, ( 2) Axtel and (10 ) Generalaz all winning hopes. Quaddie 3,5,4,2,10
QUADDIE SECOND LEG Race 6www.perthracing.com.au, [62-74], [3yo+] 1400m, 5:30pm [EST] There is not a lot of natural exposed speed here. Jay Fo ur Ex ( 6) can lead and dictate, from Exi ht (8), Rev y Ja y ( 1) and Justavisi on (7) handy. I have been waiting for Dantes Star ( 5) to make his return to Belmont and he does so in winning form. He did not appear entirely comfortable around Ascot last start, but Lucas Camilleri was able to weave some magic in the straight and Dantes Star dived through late to prevail. The open spaces of Belmont are right up his alley and he could not have been more impressive winning here last season. He can take up a forward position and he has more upside than many of these. Exiht had trialled very well in preparation for his first-up assignment at Bunbury on April 23. Nothing went right for him at a crucial stage behind Casanova Jack and that form is good for this standard. Pike takes over and Exiht can take up the sweet spot outside the leader. Jay Four Ex was very good first-up for his new stable at Ascot, when he did it tough and was nailed late by Dantes Star. Will roll forward and with the claim for Alan Kennedy he won't know himself with 53.5kg. Expect him to give cheek. Revy Jay has finally drawn a gate and his fitness levels should be peaking now. He will enjoy the three kilo reduction for Duncan Miller and will get a lovely run behind the speed. He does race well at Belmont (7 starts, 2-2).
The Verdict Back (5 ) Dantes Star and save on (8) Exiht, with place claims for (6) Jay Fo ur Ex and (1 ) Revy Jay. For wider exotics add (2) Mo naco Prin ce, (9 ) Last Curtain and (10 ) Demel za's W ings.
business end. Star Risca (2) will not get the run he needs to win, Dante's Banquet is a good horse, but is likely to need this – wait until he gets to 200m+, Garavann i (5) and Sky Marshal l (8 ) are racing well and can be placed.
Quaddie 5,8,6,1
THE VERDICT
QUADDIE THIRD LEG Race 7 - Support Your Local TAB Hcp, [74-86], [3yo+], 1600m, 6:10pm [EST]
Back ( 1) I narti culate and save on (13) Gamroy. One of the two will win. For the multiples add (3) Ca ller One, ( 12) French Fav or ite, ( 4) Dante 's Banquet, (2 ) Star R isca, (5) Garavanni and ( 8) Sk y Marshal l.
This is the race of the day. I expect the speed to be strong and every horse will get its chance. L ucky Trainer (14 ) will lead and run them along, with Dante 's Banquet (4) keeping him honest. Inarticu late ( 1) and Ga mr oy (13) are both top-shelf gallopers still to realise their full potential. Each is being taken along patiently. Each will be suited by the way the race is to be run. The question is will Pike be able to weave his magic from gate 1 on Gamroy? He is a big striding galloper who can make more than one run in a race, and is probably ideally suited rolling from the 600 metres to find his top gear. That likely pattern is why I am swaying to Inarticulate. Adam Durrant has been calculated in keeping the horse away from Ascot, following a disappointing campaign when on trial for a start in the Railway Stakes. Despite this he was able to get within two lengths of Megatic in the Northerly at equal weights when resuming. He has won eight of his 18 career starts and was given an easy kill in the feature sprint (1200m) on Albany Cup day, April 12. They don't win any easier and he looked in fantastic order, suggesting there is plenty of Belmont riches ahead. He is drawn to get a beautiful run, with Gamroy back inside him. Alan Kennedy has the opportunity to dictate terms. Gamroy is an exciting galloper who has been too good for lesser opposition at his two runs back from a spell. His racing style suggests he will be even better suited at Belmont, but Pike will need pull a ride out of the box to overcome the inside draw. One of the two will win. Caller One (3 ) is flying and was not ridden to suit last start when dead heating with Savage Wolf. He needs to be out and rolling early. Harvey takes over. Fren ch Favor ite (12) had nowhere to go over the final stages when resuming for a new stable at Ascot when fourth behind Reverend Lovejoy, who has since won again. She has a good record at Belmont (7 starts, 1-4) and will be getting home at the
Quaddie 1,13
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG Race 8 - PR.COM MEMBERS LOUNGE Hcp, [80+], [3YO+], 1400m, 6:45pm [EST] This will be a truly run race, with the speed to be set by bold front running galloper McLurch (1 ), with Legend Express ( 5) keeping him honest, Banner Stor m (2) close up and Western F orce (14 ), Geyser Peak ( 12), L ike A Vain (13 ), Euclassy Thi ng (11 ) and I nn ovati on (3) to be handy. The weight advantage goes the way of former Danny O'Brientrained Geyser Peak (12). He looks well placed in the west, particularly in the 1400m-1800m distance range. I was keen to have a gamble on Geyser Peak a couple of weeks back, but Frank Maynard was forced to scratch the horse due to a minor setback. I don't mind that, because it gives the highly skilled Maynard some more time to work his charge out and get him right for a first-up win in this state. Looking through the replays of Geyser Peak’s form in Victoria, I could not help but be taken with his enormous second on Thousand Guineas day, when he jumped from gate 16, did a power of work up the horrific Caulfield hill from the 1600m start, and when his more favoured stablemate Vigor looked set to race right away from him, he dug deep to only go down by ¾ of a length. Vigor has subsequently won several races and is now touted as a genuine spring contender. I don't believe Geyser Peak stayed at the end of his last campaign but showed he had returned with a game o- pace, first-up win at Bendigo on March 19, over 1400m. He is drawn to get all the favours, in the 1 x 1 position. If the money comes, I will be even more confident. He is still owned by the astute Price Bloodstock syndicate.
McLurch was good to us last time leading throughout for Maki Morita and once again David Harrison is showing other trainers how it should be done, providing his three kilo apprentices valuable city experience on quality horses that are easy to ride, and in winnable races. Simone Altieri (claims 3) takes over, McLurch will lead again and he goes even better at Belmont than Ascot. He has won six of 16 at this track and he has some real quality. Am ici (6) is a quality performer resuming and no one has a better record on this horse than W.Pike. Had a quiet run at the Belmont trials in preparation for this race and he looks in for another good season. Western Force was solid first-up when 3rd to Banner Storm on April 29, and, with 50kg, will get all the favours behind the speed from gate 2.
THE VERDICT I’m keen to have an each way gamble on (12) Ge yser Peak and bet even more confidently if the money comes. (1) McLurch is the horse they all have to get past to win. (6) Am ici has the ability and the rider to win. (14 ) Western F orce has a featherweight and a nice draw. For wide multiples add (1 1) Euc lassy T hin g, (9) Classic Dr op, (13) L ike A Vain and (2) Banner St or m. Quaddie 12,1,6,14
Best Bets R1 N o 2 : R oyal Devot i on R2 N o 1 1: New I mage
Value: R8, N o 12: Geyser Peak
Quaddie: First leg: 3,5,4,2,10 Second leg: 5,8,6,1 Third leg: 1,13 Fourth leg: 12,1,6,14 Good Luck and Happy Punting! Tune in to all the racing action from the west with the PR.Com subscriber's package for $200 a year – just $4 a week. For a limited time only, The Thoroughbred Magazine, and PR.com are providing a superb value package – for only $185, you can become a member of PR.com, subscribe to The Thoroughbred and and receive a copy of Racing In Australia. For full details go to PR.com. Josh Rodder www.perthracing.com.au