On The Money Belmont 2nd July

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Mon 4 July, 2011

The Good Oil:

The on course spruik about My Bonny Lad was quite incredible on Saturday. Bookies bet as much as $7.50 about him in pre post betting (prior to scratching), only to open at $5.50 on raceday. He was then systematically backed into $4.60 at start time. Flying Affair was the big drifter, opening at $2.30 and wobbling hopelessly to start at $3 and even $3.20 in some places. The drift began in earnest after an on course announcement that they would be looking for a sit with the flying filly. She was momentarily held up in the straight and it cost her the race.

Where There's Smoke:

Kemilee disappointed at her second start behind Akhedasset but there was some confidence in the ring on Saturday as she was backed from $26 to $16 against some very handy two year olds. She ran on and was only beaten two lengths. One to watch in easier company next start.

The Good Thing:

Morant opened at $2.50 in early markets and surprisingly, the price was still available prior to betting proper. The Fu Peg four year old opened at $2.20 and touched $2.30 in the ring with steady support, but nothing overwhelming. The race was over a long way out and he won like a good thing.

Wide of the Mark:

Frenchman's last two runs this campaign have been ordinary and it was surprising the support for him after drifting to $9. Solid support saw him crash back into $5.50 at start time. He got the easy lead and gave nothing in the home straight, finishing a well beaten fifth. Full Clip was also heavily supported from $9 to $6.50 but had excuses, racing wide without cover and only nailed on the line to finish out of the placings.

Holding the Baby:

Some races were very ordinary betting affairs on Saturday. Moonbound ($2.80), Amelia's Dancer ($3) and Noble Steed ($21 to $12) were the only three they wanted in race five, leaving us holding the baby with Kerrific ($4.20 - $5). Thankfully, Kira Yuill rode the perfectly timed race, overwhelming Amelia's Dancer and leaving the unlucky Moonbound in her wake. Little too often does this type of thing happen to a bookie, so we'll accept the charity graciously.

The One That Got Away:

Caves Road was surprisinly very easy in the ring, drifring from $3.70 to $4.40 at start time. One of the corporates was so desperate to lay, they were betting $5.50 at start time with Betfair telling a similar story. You wouldn't have guessed it from the run, Caves Road sitting three deep and murdering them. This is a classy galloper.

The Bolter:

Sherann has been well and truly out of form since her win back in September last year. She put her best foot forward on Saturday and was steady in the ring at $15 and $16. She was probably lucky to have won in the end, Incoherent the hard luck story, stopped in his tracks when making his run in the straight. Most bookies were cheering the result however as second horse Extra Beat was well supported from $6 to $5 and would have been the recipient of any upheld protest.

As Cold As Ice:

Talent Show had every possible chance, sitting midfield and getting the opening in the straight. She just battled away to finish seventh and was an easing favourite from $3.70 to $4. Sense of Purpose was a similar story and eased from $3 to $4 before running a distant second to Heart Ache. One would think she was in need of the run after having been a late scratching the run prior.