Belmont Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (2) as of Friday lunchtime. Penetrometer is 5.9 (Perth measurements are different to those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track). The rail moves out to six metres. It was true last Saturday and 12m midweek. There has been 8ml of rain since last Saturday – with the drying qualities of Belmont, the surface will be firm for racing. According to track manager Gordon Menzies, the rail position of six metres is a good spot for racing. Water will be put on the track Friday, aiming to get a penetrometer of 6 by race time. FORECAST FOR SATURDAY Fine. A sunny day. East/north-east winds, moderate to fresh for a period in the morning. FINE, SUNNY.
MIN 5, MAX 22
Race 1 – Westspeed 3YO Handicap [Open, 65+] 1300m, 2:55pm [EST] Small field to face the starter for the first, but there is quality spread among it. There looks to be little to no speed and a race devoid of any front-end pressure. Expect Morant (6) to be ridden more positively in a slowly run 1300m, with Dontorio (5) closeup and Buddy Marvellous (4) handy. Morant still has a few tricks, but his effort last start in a fast-run 1200m was good enough for this. Jason Brown went back from a wide gate, then got going in the straight, only to run out of room at a vital stage. The winner, Sir Hallowell, is top shelf and Power Princess (placed) is smart and has since won in Saturday grade. Both Dino Mak and Speech Room, who were part of the beaten brigade, have run very well midweek. Morant should have no issues finding the lead and from there will be extremely hard to get past. His debut win was full of authority, despite some waywardness mid-race and I think he can pinch this. Maiden galloper Dontorio is another who will be on speed. He is very honest and his run behind the promising Blacksmith (since
won at Belmont midweek) last start at Northam was solid. Bridgestone (3) is potentially the best horse in this race, but he will find a slowly run 1300m a little difficult to overrun the leaders. He is a derby horse in the making. Test The Angels (8) and Xaaravid (2) were very good runs in the Sir Hallowell race and they will be hitting the line with gusto, along with God Has Spoken (1), who has to give away a lot of weight to some handy young gallopers.
VERDICT Back (6) Morant with relative confidence. (5) Dontorio, (3) Bridgestone, (8) Test The Angels, (1) God Has Spoken and (2) Xaaravid will be the chasing pack.
Race 2 – perthracing.com.au Handicap [62-74] [3YO+ Fillies & Mares] 1200m, 3:33pm [EST] Tricky little mares race that will be run at a genuine clip with solid pressure on throughout. Del Lirio (4) can lead and set a true tempo, with Fine Memories (2) keeping her honest. Belle Times (6) and Just Marika (1) take the positions behind the speed. Every horse should get a winning chance. Fine Memories is one of the most consistent and honest racehorses in the state. She makes her own luck on the speed and gives her all. From a nice draw with the claim for Jarrad Noske, she should be able to coast in second spot before producing a kick, then holding off her rivals. Has given the classy grey mare Ma Chienne something serious to chase down twice this time in and there are no mares of that calibre in this race. Del Lirio made the running last start in midweek grade, but probably was held-up too much in front, before being nailed late. 3kg apprentice Talia Maor gets a chance to rate this mare to suit and, on her early Sydney metro winning form, DL could be the surprise packet? Just Marika is just going this time around, but if she can reproduce her best form, she would be right in the finish.
Baskerville Street (5) went whoosh from back in the field to win her maiden at Northam. She does have a second to Miss Timed at Ascot last time in and will be running on in a truly-run race. Look for improvement from Canardly Miss (7), who was not suited working hard to sit on the speed from wide gate in a strong form race.
VERDICT Back (2) Fine Memories and have something small (4) Del Lirio for a saving bet. Include (1) Just Marika, (5) Baskerville Street, (7) Canardly Miss and (3) Undertake A Dane in multiples.
Race 3 – Irish Day At Belmont 3/10 Handicap [3YO+ Entires & Geldings] [62-74] 1200m 4:10pm [EST] Various restricted form lines meet in what is not a strong race. There is no natural speed, with pressure non-evident. Horses that can sit in the front half or have a sharp turn of foot will be suited. Kilkenny Jac (4) can roll to the lead and dictate terms to suit himself. The Package (5) and Fiery Monarch (7) can be handy to speed. Need Luck (6) has raced without luck throughout his career, and his two runs this time in have been exceptional, with an impressive winning Lark Hill trial slotted in between. First-up at Northam he stood his rivals a big start, then flew down the outside to win comfortably. He sat out the back and hit the line better than anything last start at Belmont behind the in-form Goldy Junior. Big riding chance with Peter Knuckey in the saddle from a nice draw, which should see a more positive ride. Last time in this horse was competitive against the better three-year-olds including Flight Path, Admiring and Shajezar. He looks good value in an even race. The run of Kilkenny Jac as a beaten favourite last start can be forgotten – he proved very difficult for Noske to ride in running. With a positive front-running ride he could definitely pinch this race. Fiery Monarch is the emerging talent, and he is trying to back up an authoritative Northam