Belmont Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (3) as of Friday lunchtime with a penetrometer reading of 6 (Perth measurements are different from those in the Eastern States, because of the sand-based track). The rail moves to the 15-metre position. It was at 12 metres last Saturday, and 15 metres midweek (barriers proved vital on Wednesday). There has been 22 mls of rain for the week, with more showers predicted for late race day, but Belmont handles rain well. The track should not disadvantage any runners. Belmont is a wonderful track that gives every horse its chance. FORECAST Shower or two, increasing later. Min 10, Max 19
Race 1 – ozbet.com.au Hcp [68-80] [3YO+] 1650m 2:20pm [EST] I’m expecting a genuinely run race with all runners getting a winning opportunity in an even field. Interange (10) will take up his customary role in front, without a challenger and he can be expected to roll along throughout. Lightly raced six-year-old Mighty Ronnie (11) has been ticking over nicely at his four runs back after an 18-month break. In good company he has consistently got back and worked to the line nicely, in slick final sectionals. William Pike jumps on board from the nice (5) draw, and a positive ride should see him in a sweet trailing spot with his good weight. Insurgency (6) is a former Victorian who has settled into WA well for Spencer Knight, a trainer keen to try his luck with eastern state imports. He raced well during the Ascot season and you suspected the Belmont track and conditions were going to suit. He comes through similar form lines to Mighty Ronnie and will look the winner at some stage. Honest mare Black Habit (2) was seen to be doing her best work late last week when
third to Scenic Bullet and from a nice draw (4), with the 1.5kg claim for Jarrad Noske, she should get every possible chance. She thrives on racing and the quick back-up. I was very disappointed with Trentan Dior (7) last week – with blinkers added he should be more switched on and, ridden aggressively, we could see a massive lift. The best roughie for multiples is Black Douglas (8), who was planted three wide, without cover and did it very tough last Saturday (last to Volcanic Causeway). This time last year he was in very good form at Belmont and he is another who has good back-up stats. Garavanni (3) is forever getting back and running on. Kereign (5) raced in restricted room over the final stages last Saturday (7 th to Volcanic Causeway) and looks suited up to 1650m. King Kool Kat (13) is always a must for multiples.
Red Hot Choice (4) is a $1.1 million yearling purchase who was also seen hitting the line when second to For Your Eyes Only last start on July 4 when first up since February. He is another who will appreciate the rise in journey and will get every possible chance from his (3) draw.
THE VERDICT
Each-way (6) Street Related, with (4) Red Hot Choice and (5) Statewide the biggest obstacles. Include (9) Le Plunge in major multiples and for value (11) Cheri Cheval.
Keen to support (11) Mighty Ronnie on a 1 x 2 unit win and place basis. (6) Insurgency, (2) Black Habit and (7) Trentan Dior all have winning claims. Include (8) Black Douglas, (3) Garavanni, (5) Kereign and (13) King Kool Kat in wider exotics.
Race 2 – Westspeed 2YO Plate [Open] 1400m 2:55pm [EST] The juveniles are nearing season’s end and rise to 1400 metres – many for the first time, and many are crying out for it. There is a definite query on how fast they will go and if any pressure at all will be applied to the leaders. Expect Le Plunge (9), Frenchman (1) and Dynamic Dane (2) to lob thereabouts. I was keen at nice odds on Street Related (6) when he resumed and was seen finding the line stylishly for fifth to the flying filly For Your Eyes Only (she has since won again). This scopey son of Street Cry was at the back of the field throughout and was a little reluctant to take tight runs in the straight, however he finished as well as anything over the final 200 metres. He has a tricky draw to overcome, but I am willing to back leading rider Pike to weave some magic. Blinkers have been fitted, so I’m expecting a switched-on Street Related this time and he will appreciate the 1400 metres.
Statewide (5) hails from the same race as the above-mentioned two and would have derived a great deal from the experience (fourth). He will get a soft run three back on the fence. Le Plunge was pole-axed at a vital stage last time (3rd to Stormish) and he should give backers a great sight on the speed. The best roughie is Cheri Cheval (11), who has been all at sea at her two starts so far and, with no weight, will be hitting the line hard.
THE VERDICT
Race 3 – Westspeed 3YO Hcp [Open 62+] 1400m 3:30pm [EST] This is a quality race. Even tempo expected with every chance that stablemates Kasabian (7) and Spitfire Ace (1) could dictate terms to suit each other. Broadway Belle (2) lobs in a sweet trailing spot, with Gum Nut Guru (6) and Verscene (10) handy. Broadway Belle faced an impossible task from back in the field in a fast-run 1000m on July 4, where the leaders did not stop. Her run to finish fifth to Moonlight Drive was excellent and up to 1400m she should get all the favours. She has had a reluctance to chew steel but, after a last outing over 1000m, she may just chill a little this time. She is very promising and hard to beat. Spitfire Ace is a very good young galloper who was given an amazing ride by Shaun O'Donnell last start (July 4). From barrier 15 he was able to settle fourth one off the fence after 400 metres, and then clicked into another gear to beat his older rivals over 1300m. He is a push-button horse and again will be hard to beat. Kasabian is still very raw, but has above-average ability. He was too keen to get the job done last time,
over-racing early and resenting being asked to come back (2nd to Taxtime over 1650m on July 8). He will put himself in the running and was seen running on well late when third behind Broadway Belle three starts back. Gum Nut Guru appeared to have his chance at the midweeks on July 9 when fourth to Taxtime, but may not have backed up on a seven-day break. Black Print (3) is a promising staying type resuming after a fourth in the Group 1 WATC Derby (2400m, April 11). His trial at Belmont on July 6 (3 rd of 4 to Homme, 1000m) was solid and he can pull out a run fresh.
THE VERDICT Not much between the top two, but I’m leaning to (2) Broadway Belle with (1) Spitfire Ace the horse to beat. (7) Kasabian and (6) Gum Nut Guru are the next best. Include (3) Black Print in wider multiples.
Race 4 – Westspeed Stayers' Bonus Hcp [3YO+] [86+] 2400m, 4:10pm [EST] Our best off-season stayers do battle and this is expected to be a genuine staying race. Dante's Banquet (5) will keep the pressure on throughout, with Lucky Trainer (9) prominent. How can you go past Star Encounter (1)? The bookies keep letting you on and she keeps winning. She is now shooting for five straight wins, two of her past three were track records and there is every chance the 2400m record will get a scare. Carrying 57kg after the claim for Duncan Miller, she came off a genuine tempo to make her run last time and was outstanding, outstaying her rivals in beating Money Exchange (10). Once again she should get a lovely run off a strong tempo and grind her opposition into the ground. With the claim again, she rises 1.5kg. Friday’s fixed odds on Player Sportsbet were $3.20, which is good enough for me. Mikaldico (4) was enormous last Saturday, three wide and working throughout. He dug deep late to hold third to Windfields Farm (2000m) and Pike, who has a great record on this horse, returns to the saddle. He has good back-up stats. He will go back, try to find the back of Star Encounter and mount a challenge late. Doyoudare (2) will be better for last week’s run, (2nd to Windfields Farm) after rising from 1600m to 2000m at his fourth run back. He gets a cushy run and will be thereabouts. Dante's Banquet is a dashing front-running stayer who will ensure this race will be earned. Money Exchange made a valiant bid to beat Star Encounter last time and stretches to 2400m for the first time. He will get a soft run and
prove worthy competition again. Exhilarating (3) looked like the run would improve him last week (sixth to Windfields Farm) and is drawn a lot better (4). He is up to this on his best form.
THE VERDICT Keen to jump on board (1) Star Encounter at $3.20 fixed odds. (4) Mikaldico will give it a shake, with (2) Doyoudare thereabouts. Include (5) Dante's Banquet, (10) Money Exchange and (3) Exhilarating in multiples.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG Race 5 – Become A Perth Racing Member Today Hcp [3YO+] [62-74] 1000m 4:50pm [EST] The 1000-metre races at Belmont this season have been a highlight. I’m expecting a highpressure race again, with Chopin (1) and Averroes (5) burning across from wide draws. Versaint (9) and Mr Bachelor (2) are likely to follow the speed across. I was very impressed with the return win of three-year-old filly Timely Queen (13) at Northam on June 25 (1000m). She blew away her opposition and she has always given the impression she would improve with age. She gets in here with 50kg after the claim for Ben Kennedy and it appears likely she will get a sweet run just off the pressure. Classofherown (6) raced without luck when 8 th behind the flying Ma Ma Machine off a 7-week freshen last start. She is drawn to get a softer run and expect some improvement. Challis (11) was another who looked good at the provincials, beating older maidens (1000m, Northam, July 2); he looked full of potential on debut. He is drawn to get the favours and chance if handles the pressure. Averroes was only shot down late by Silent Hero last start after riding the fast speed. Will give backers a sight again. Versaint was given a superb ride from a wide gate last time and if she gets a similar run, could play a part.
THE VERDICT Keen to have a gamble on (13) Timely Queen. Save on (6) Classo fherown and (11) Challis. (5) Averroes and (9) Versaint will be prominent throughout and must be included in multiples. (4) Bluff Point and (10) Go The Slug for wider exotics.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG Race 6 – Universal Prince Handicap [68-80] [3yo+] 1200m, 5:25pm [EST] Another open race and I expect them to really roll along. Versarc (9) finds the top from Kim Currency (5), with Maxximus Dignitas (6) wider out. Lovely Lucy (1) and Happy Chante (4) will be handy. Dee Picked (8) rattled late when 3 rd behind the in-form London last start (1200m, June 27). That is a strong form race and with the expected speed he gets his chance to sit back and charge late. Kim Currency is the best on-pace chance. He was not suited back to 1000m last time and was squeezed out of the race early (7 th to Ma Ma Machine, July 4). His effort was okay. Island In The Sun (14) showed she has returned well from an injury-enforced layoff when fifth to Jean last start at the midweeks (July 8). Drawn to get a soft run and she is a lightly-raced mare with talent. The best smokey is Royal Cobra (3). Got back with big weight from a wide draw fresh and worked to the line well when 10 th to Spitfire Ace over 1300m on July 4. Will get a soft run midfield on the rails and I expect him to launch late. The barrier draws have hurt Destino (2) and Volcanic Causeway (7). Lovely Lucy is honest. I have big query on Versarc on the seven-day back up.
THE VERDICT Each-way (8) Dee Picked and save on (5) Kim Currency. Worth a small gamble on (3) Royal Cobra at big odds. (14) Island In The Sun will be thereabouts. Include (2) Destino, (7) Volcanic Causeway, (1) Lovely Lucy and (4) Happy Chante in the multiples.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG Race 7 – Perth Racing TV Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1400m, 6pm [EST] Once again there are many winning chances. Expect an even tempo to be set by any of Jean (2), The Slam (3) and Murphy's Creek (10). I was impressed with the return effort of Undertake A Dane (7) at Belmont earlier in the month. Loved the way he found the line when second behind a smart young horse in
Spitfire Ace over 1300m, and he is sure to have benefited from the hitout, his first since the end of March. Drawn to get a beautiful run again and looks ideally placed. Rocking The Blues (8) continues to race well and hails from the same Spitfire Ace race at Belmont (third). He will get back and be sweeping home late. Fire Of Denmark (9) strips fitter for recent racing and had no luck last start at the midweeks when 5 th over 1650m behind the impressive filly Tsarinsky. Drawn well and can make an impact. Jean has been in good form since joining the Durrant yard and will make her own luck on the speed. I have been disappointed with Arctic Waters (4) and blinkers go on as a last resort. The Slam is enigmatic, but seems to run well for the female riders, and Chloe Chatfield returns to the saddle. Dvoryan (1) and Certain Gold (5) will get back and run on.
THE VERDICT I’m keen about the winning chances of (7) Undertake A Dane. Save on (8) Rocking The Blues and (9) Fire Of Denmark at odds. Include (2) Jean in everything. (3) The Slam (1) Dvoryan, (5) Certain Gold and (4) Arctic Waters go in wider multiples.
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG R8 – perthracing.com.au Sprint [Open 86+] [3YO+] 1400m, 6:35pm [EST] This race is a ripper to finish the day – a very competitive open sprint affair. Comic Hero (9) finds the front and sets an even tempo, with very little exposed pressure. Danecay (10), Beat The Storm (1) and Illustration (5) will put themselves in the race early. Beat The Storm is the class horse in the field and isn’t too badly treated after the claim for Chloe Chatfield (will carry 55.5kg). The key to this horse is a track with the fire out of it and getting a nice run in transit. He did it tough on the speed in the Belmont Sprint, (fourth to Universal Ruler) before getting back on a firm Belmont surface last time when 7 th to Snip Esprit, 1200m, July 4. Drawn to get a nice run behind the speed and he has won five of seven with a second, too, at the Belmont 1400m. He really gets his chance here from barrier six. Comic Hero gets a chance to do what he does best – to lead and roll at his own terms, before getting the pack off the bit and chasing a long way out. He has found the right race with the minimum weight and will give a great sight. Superscenic (3) tended to travel a touch strong in the York Stakes (4 th to Roman Time), but ran on well. He is another who
will take advantage of a nice draw (4) and be competitive. Snip Esprit (4) looks to be flying but 10 barrier means Jason Brown will need to pull out one of his best rides. I have a big watch on former promising three-year-old Cohort (8), resuming in the west (last start was 14 Feb at Moonee Valley). There is no doubting his ability and on his best he could easily take the prize. Reflective Star (6) has an electric turn of foot. He resumes (last time March 10, in the Bunbury Stakes) for new stable, with blinkers. His trial (fifth to Vizard, 1000m, July 6) was good and he is always a chance with the right run. I am looking for improvement from Ripped (2), who did not have much luck last time when 14 th in the Belmont Sprint.
THE VERDICT Back (1) Beat The Storm and save on (9) Comic Hero. (3) Superscenic will be right on their heels with (4) Snip Esprit. Watch betting markets with (8) Cohort and (6) Reflective Star. Include (2) Ripped, (7) Mystery City and (11) Foxy Boy in wider multiples. BEST BETS Race 1, No. 11 Mighty Ronnie e/w Race 4 No. 1 Star Encounter Race 7, No. 7 Undertake A Dane, e/w VALUE BET Race 2, No. 6 Street Related e/w QUADDIE (FOR $0.50) 5,6,11,13/2,3,4,5,7,8,14/2,7,8,9/1,3,9 $168 5,6,11,13/2,3,4,5,7,8,14/7,8/1,9 $56 6,11,13/3,5,8/7,8,9/1,9 $27
– Josh Rodder 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. Josh Rodder www.perthracing.com.au