Belmont Saturday Perth Racing Preview
outing. She can give cheek again. That ties up the winning chances in a skinny race.
BY JOSH RODDER
THE VERDICT
Track is a Good (2) as of Friday lunchtime; penetrometer is 6 (Perth measurements are different to those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track). The rail moves to the 3m position. It has been true at the past two meetings. There has been no rain this week, so track staff may consider watering on Friday. FORECAST Fine. Min 4, Max 21.
Race 1 – Westspeed 3YO Handicap [57+] [3YO] 1300m, 2:20pm [EST] We have been spoilt with our two-year-old races at the back end of the season. However the first three-year-old race of the season is not overly strong. There is not a lot of natural speed on paper and pressure is not evident. Cheri Cheval (7) again looks likely to roll to the top, from Face of Mercy (3) and maybe Luminol (8) ridden a touch closer. Bad Funk Stripe (2) comes through midweek company (a Northam maiden win followed by an encouraging fourth at Belmont behind the promising Clueless Angel). William Pike takes over and from his inside draw (1) he can be ridden more positively, either box-seating or following Face Of Mercy three back on the fence. Last start he was wide, drifted back and ran on well. Statewide (1) had a lovely run three back on the fence in a slowly run race, got out and sprinted quickly. The overall time was not flash, but does get a nice run again from 4 and has a lot of upside. Cheri Cheval is a talented maiden who was rated to perfection in front last time when third to Statewide. Was no match late, but will strip fitter for the
Keen to gamble each-way (2) Bad Funk Stripe and save on (1) Statewide. (7) Cheri Cheval will take some running down and is clear third pick. Include (3) Face Of Mercy, (4) Esprit De Lago and (9) Not a Single Mak in wider multiples to add value.
Race 2 – www.perthracing.com.au Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 1000m, 3pm [EST] Excited about seeing the return of brilliant young sprinter Hay List (4). They will really run in this, with pressure right on throughout. Hay List leads on his ear, with Miss Timed (8) the trail. Princess O’Lara (1), Bull Durham (3) and Maxximus Dignitas (5) can be in handy positions. The unbeaten powerhouse Hay List was scratched from a recent Lark Hill trial because of the track condition, and astute horseman Jim Taylor has just been waiting for the right surface to kick off his speedster’s campaign. Gets a firm surface, gate one and all reports suggest he is ready to go first-up. The son of emerging stallion Statue Of Liberty weighs 600kg+ and stands at 17 hands, and looks set to go straight to the top of the local sprinting ranks. In his three starts he was able to do it at both ends and beat horses such as Danebeela and Kasabian at Ascot earlier in the year. Hard to go past. It will be a David and Goliath-like battle with the pint-sized Miss Timed stepping up from an effortless all-the-way midweek win that gave promising apprentice Damian Lane his first city success. Lane rides again and he should be able to follow Hay List everywhere he goes in the run. Destino (2) had a torrid wide run last time and with a quiet ride will be the big improver. Has some quality credentials and he will be running on strongly for in-form hoop Shaun O'Donnell. Quality speed mare Princess O’Lara resumes off a Belmont trial win, but I prefer her controlling her races at 1200m+.
THE VERDICT Bet-up on (1) Hay List, he is the best bet of the day. (8) Miss Timed will give her all and will fight out second place with (2) Destino. (1) Princess O’Lara is a tough seasoned mare and will be thereabouts. (6) Homme and (3) Bull Durham must be included in quartet bet types.
Race 3 – PR.COM Members Lounge Sprint [3YO+ Fillies and Mares] [74+] 1600m 3:40pm [EST] Genuine tempo set by Danecay (1) and she could lead and dictate if she wishes. Sleepwalk (4) will be right there. I am looking for value in a tricky race with Mexican Lass (8). The cantankerous grey mare had no luck last week. She was wide with no cover in an on-pace dominated race and her effort was OK. Has had no luck with barrier draws since her last win here over Vain Spirit, when she drew four and was simply too good. Comeback jockey Patrick Carbery has won on this mare before and returns to the saddle to replace regular partner Chloe Chatfield. The barrier is the key here and she is suited back to her own kind. I was unable to find any seven-day back up stats to work off, so that is the only query. On her day she is very good and she is a nice value selection. Danecay is the quality performer, but is her mind on the track or breeding barn? She is a high-class mare on her day and should get a chance to lead and dictate terms. She was outside the lead last start in a strong, fastrun race and was not beaten all that far when sixth to Comic Hero (1400m, July 18). In this grade, after the claim, if she produced her best she would win. Quality staying mare Dante's Dash (2) got home nicely last start over 2400m. Back to 1600m and if they do run along she will be finishing better than anything else. Bandalera (6) is up in grade, but does get a 5kg weight drop. Racing well and will be thereabouts. Last-start disappointments Black Amber (3), Sleepwalk and Black Habit (5) would be winning chances if they found their best form.
THE VERDICT Nice each-way gamble with (8) Mexican Lass and save on (1) Danecay. (2) Dante's Dash the late closer. Include (6) Bandalera, (4) Sleepwalk, (3) Black Amber and (5) Black Habit in multiples.
Race 4 – Westspeed Stayers' Bonus Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 2000m 4:20pm [EST] Competitive middle-distance race, with a genuine tempo predicted. Barbarino (8) is best suited being allowed to find his own rhythm and roll along in front. Telexden (3), Black Print (6) and Insurgency (2) will not be far away in the run. Zilvain (1) is simply flying and Adam Durrant has the unique training ability of being able to get his form horses to hold their peak form for long periods. Zilvain was dominant in his two Belmont victories last week over 2100m and then 2000m, and Alan Kennedy has really clicked with this fellow. Again drawn (3) to be given an ace ride and, despite the weight rise, there is no reason he cannot keep winning. Emerging young stayer Black Print is just out of three-year-old grade and lines up for his third run in three weeks, at his third run from a spell. The rise in distance is ideal and will get a charmed run in the box seat throughout. He was competitive in both the Melvista and Derby against the best staying three-year-olds last time in work. May just be a touch close in the weights to Zilvain for mine. Storm In The North (5) is just about ready to go bang at his third run in. Liked the way he closed behind Mighty Ronnie second-up, but the wide barrier means he will have to give Zilvain and Black Print a big start in the run. Keep him in the black book. I am looking for a big lift from handy staying mare My Becks (4). Her Belmont stats are not great, but wet tracks probably play a big part in that. On a firm surface in this distance range she will improve. Former Victorian Insurgency comes is up to 2000 metres for the first time, with 58kg – no easy feat. Bred to run a strong 2000 metres, and was second to quality staying mare Star Encounter at 1800m last time in work. Drawn well (4) and competitive.
THE VERDICT Keen to stick with (1) Zilvain with the only danger and saving bet (6) Black Print. (5)
Storm In The North will be working home hard. (4) My Becks the improver at odds. Include (2) Insurgency, (10) Bodgie Business, (13) La Montrachet, (7) La Soeur Noir, (11) Kurnall Road, (3) Telexden, (12) Menuhin and (14) Shiney Row in deep exotics.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG Race 5 – Ascot Vale Estate Hcp [3YO+] [80+] 1600m 5pm [EST] Super race! Friar's Touch (4) an early scratching. Genuine tempo expected to be set by Comic Hero (3), with Dress Suit (10) and Mystery City (7) capable of being more handy at 1600m. Superscenic (2) will be thereabouts running. Cohort (8) was unlucky first-up behind Comic Hero in a fast-run 1400m on July 18. Meets that horse on 2.5kg better terms for a 1.75 length defeat and his fitness levels should be improved by his first run in five months. Dominated the Belmont winter racing season in his three-year-old year and then failed to fire when tried in Melbourne. Ran into a dead end at a vital stage when resuming, which suggests he is enjoying his racing back in the West. Drawn well and should get every possible chance from quality apprentice Alan Kennedy. Comic Hero is a dashing front-runner who always ensures a fast-run race. He is especially hard to get past when left alone to lead on own terms. Has gone up in the weights very quickly, but again will take running down. Superscenic is honest and the blinkers being removed might help him settle a shade better in running. He has had a tendency of late to want to travel too strongly. Drawn well (2) and will look the winner at some stage. Scenic Bullet (6) is a promising stayer in the making. Sat three wide with no cover throughout when showed he was a class above his rivals last time. Was suited out and rolling last time, but this time from gate one he might just find others a touch sharp for him over the 1600m. Keep following him as the distances increase. Look for a big lift from Mystery City.
THE VERDICT Keen to support (8) Cohort on 1 x 2 unit basis. (1) Comic Hero the clear danger and saving bet. (2) Superscenic and (6) Scenic Bullet next best. Include (7) Mystery City and (11) Marine Drive in multiples.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG Race 6 – Become A Perth Racing Member Today Handicap [68-80] [3yo+] 1400m, 5:38pm [EST] Good depth to this race and there is very good speed and pressure engaged. Kim Star (12) can lead Our Chief (13). Revy Jay (1) and Trentan Dior (11) have the ability to be very prominent early. Storm Closure (9) can box-seat with former Victorian Brunello (2) not far away. I believe the former Matt Ellerton-trained Brunello looks extremely well placed at his first WA start for Adam Durrant. The blinkers have been removed and his two Lark Hill trials had him relaxing just off the speed and finding the line well. Viewing his Victorian replays he always travelled strongly last time in with blinkers and was able to compete with some formidable opponents such as Keano and Swift Bay. Was tried over staying journeys in Tasmania in feature three-year-old races and was very competitive. Probably will make into a very handy 1600m galloper in the West as an older horse. If he relaxes I have no doubt he can stretch to 2000m. Drawn to get a peach run behind the speed and really can beat these if he produces his best eastern form. Dvoryan (5) is shooting for a winning hattrick on the back of two barnstorming wins. Was able to overcome a wide draw and 58kg on an on-pace track last time, so leave him out at your peril. Maybe a gap between runs at 1400m is his new go. Kim Star had blinkers removed midweek last start and was ridden for a sit, more than likely to prepare for this 1400m event. Is a winner at 1400m, has a nice weight drop and I am sure will be ridden a lot more positively. He will give backers a great sight. Storm Closure battled on strongly after sitting outside the speed last start. Scratched last week, gets a nice draw (4) with Pike and can inject value into multiples. Revy Jay is very honest and racing well, but is drawn awkwardly (10).
THE VERDICT Watch betting moves but happy to take a gamble with (2) Brunello. (5) Dvoryan and (12) Kim Star are genuine winning chances. Include (9) Storm Closure, (1) Revy Jay, (14) Rocking The Blues, (4) Talk To The Wall, (3) Galldora, (6) Euclassy Thing and (15) Undertake A Dane in wide multiples.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG Race 7 – Perth Racing TV Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1200m, 6:15pm [EST] Inclined to think this may be the traditional Belmont quaddie blow-out leg. Solid natural speed and pressure engaged. Bluff Point (2) leads, with Classo fherown (5), Happy Chante (1), Decryptor (6) and Mr Bachelor (3) capable of being handy. I think Classofherown has found the right race. Tried hard when second behind shortcourse specialist Chopin last time (July 18) and the rise from 1000m to 1200m is ideal. Should get a nice trailing run for 3kg apprentice Ben Kennedy and prove hard to hold out. Lightly-raced mare See A Victory (10) made up for her luckless defeat two starts back, with an impressive kill last time. More depth here but you would think she would still have some upside. Another who should slot into a nice spot in running.
Durrant, and he has finally begun to settle in his races. No luck when run closed late two starts back, then sat off leaders and just went bang last Saturday. He is drawn to get a cosy run again, and drops to a luxury 51.5kg. He might now start to realise his full potential. Proart (1) broke through the gates and had a nice hit-out before the Beaufine Stakes last week. That would have him primed for this first-up tilt at 1200m. His Belmont trial was solid, he races well fresh and he does have a touch of class. Grey Monarch (5) is a bit of an enigma, but can explode fresh – has a Belmont first-up win, a victory over Keytomoney fresh and a fourth to Megatic when resuming. Must be included in all bet types. Hide The Loot (11) is ideally placed in a high-pressure Belmont 1200m from a wide gate. Two first-up from the trials, (12) King Risca and (13) Clarecastle, would not surprise.
Decryptor was able to blow his opposition away after a cosy run last start in a midweek 1MW race. Likely to box seat and will make presence felt. Kilkenny Jac (7) was solid when resuming, but may just need one more. Probably will need to drift back to find a spot from his draw. I didn’t mind the trial of Stramos (8) at Lark Hill on July 13 and he could be a surprise packet first-up.
THE VERDICT
THE VERDICT
BEST BET
Keen on the two in-form mares, so back (5) Classofherown and save on (10) See A Victory. (6) Decryptor is a live winning chance. Include (7) Kilkenny Jac in multiples. The two blow-outs could be (8) Stramos and (12) Moisture if they produce their best. Wide race.
Race 2 – No. 4
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG Race 8 – Support Your Local TAB Handicap [74-86] [3YO+] 1200m 6:52pm [EST] Terrific race to end the day. They will really burn in this with high pressure. Solidwickedcruel (4) can lead, with McBuster (8) and On The Carpet (7) prominent. Another Clanger (3), Legend Express (6) and Lovely Lucy (9) can be handy to the speed battle. This race is likely to be set up for a swooper. Hard not be impressed with the dominant performance of Golden Heart (14) last week. He has been a work in progress for Adam
Back (14) Golden Heart, he can win again. (1) Proart, (5) Grey Monarch (value) and (11) Hide The Loot are winning chances. Include (12) King Risca, (13) Clarecastle, (10) Silent Hero, (4) Solidwickedcruel, (8) McBuster, (15) Hermosa Corona in wider multiples.
VALUE BET Race 3 – No. 8 e/w
QUADDIE (50C UNIT) 2,3,6,8/2,5,9,12/5,6,7,8,9,10,12/1,5,10,11,1 4,15 ($336)
3,8/2,5,12/Field/1,5,11,14 ($168)
3,8/2,5,12/5,6,10/1,5,11,14 ($36)
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