Belmont Tips 31st August with Greg Hooper

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 31 August, 2011

RACE 1 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP

No. 1 KEYSTONE ROSE. This looks a fairly thin race for the three-year-old fillies. KEYSTONE ROSE is a nice filly who is really looking for the 1200m. She was able to win on debut over 1000m but last she found the task of settling back and wide just a bit too rich last time out. She still hit the line nicely. From her middle draw Paul Harvey should have her about midfield and I think she is the one to beat. The big watch for me is MENDICITY who makes her debut for the Jim Taylor stable. She ran second to Command Centre in her recent trial but was under a firm hold for Jason Brown. PRINCESS DEIDRE drops back to 1200m which should suit, she found the 1400m a bit too far last week. HOT SASSO should burn over lead and give them something to rundown.
Numbers 1, 10, 2, 3

Suggested Bet - Keystone Rose win and Mendicity save

RACE 2 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP

No. 12 REIGN OF TERROR. I think this looks the better of the three-year-old events. I'm going for REIGN OF TERROR who was scratched from Saturday to be saved for this race. His debut effort at Northam over the 1100m was terrific. He settled close enough to last in running but really attacked the line over the concluding stages. With the blinkers being added and the fact he jumps from barrier 2 he should settle in a much closer position and be very hard to hold out. O'VATICANO makes his debut for Chris Gangemi and the Ascot Bloodstock Team (good luck boys) and he looks a likely type. He was super impressive in his barrier trial win where he parked just behind the speed but came clear late for an easy win. Blinkers go on for his debut and he jumps from a nice alley so I think he'll settle close to the speed and give a very big account of himself. I suspect that these two may have the field covered. Of the rest SASS ‘N' PING was good last start. He kicked clear early but tired over the final 100m. He was in the worst ground though. The blinkers going on SCREAMING PLUM should sharpen him up. AMICI NERO resumes from a spell, I suspect he will be looking for further than the 1200m
Numbers 12, 10, 2, 3

Suggested Bet - Reign Of Terror win and O'vaticano save

RACE 3 - CALL TAB TO BET 132 369 HANDICAP

No. 4 TOTTENHAM HOTS. On paper this race appears as if it will be run at a frenetic tempo with the likes of NUTOPIA, FANDANGLE, FIGHTING BLUES, CITY BELS and PETITE CAVALLO all capable of turning it on early. For that reason going for the enigma, TOTTENHAM HOTS. I really liked the way he finished off his race at his most recent outing. He was ridden cold but hit the line strongly despite meeting interference in the straight. The fact there is some serious top end speed in this event should assist his chances as he will likely get back again and rattle home. GAVIN'S ROAD is a nice type who returns from a six week let up. He's probably more effective over further than 1000m but with the expected hot top end speed he should be another who will finish strongly. PETITE CAVALLO trialled in a brilliant fashion, leading and winning by 6 and ½ lengths under a hold. From barrier 1 she should be in the firing line for a long way. FIGHTING BLUES was very good on debut, sitting on speed and only being worn down by Ready Raider late. There was a big gap to the third horse which indicates that the form should hold up from that event. BABIECA NOIRE is a galloper in the mould of TOTTENHAM HOTS, he's been costly over the journey but has ability. First up with no trial he should be nice and fresh and zooming late. A race with plenty of question marks for me.
Numbers 4, 5, 10, 7

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED STAYERS' BONUS HANDICAP

No. 12 AJEXIA. This race looks a nightmare. I'm sticking with AJEXIA who broke through for a well overdue win at her last start, but I wouldn't want to be saddling up to anything less than each way prices. She was assisted by a gun ride by William Pike on that occasion, he tracked her up beautifully from the 800m but she still put the opposition away nicely over the final furlong. From her middle alley I expect her to settle around midfield and be the one to beat again. There are a host of other chances in this event. CLASSY CLAN looks just about ready, he always seems to put in a couple of decent efforts each preparation and he finished off strongly at his recent outing. ZEBOOK, DHEKA and DEPORTMENT have been given no favours with the barrier draws and will likely have to give them a big head start, still they all have claims. MIDNIGHT TOUCH raced a bit flat last start but he's another who wouldn't surprise. GRANDIOSITY is still a maiden but has drawn far better and should park closer than last start. As you can see I've rattled off over half the field, this does look extremely tough.
Numbers 12, 6, 13, 3

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 5 - tabtouch.mobi HANDICAP

No. 4 GALLIPOLI PRINCE. This looks a very tough start to the quaddie. Without any confidence I'm going for Gallipoli Prince. He has been a very costly horse for punters this preparation but hopefully he can find his best form today. He didn't get much luck at his recent outing, getting held up at crucial stage of the straight and losing any chance of playing a part. From barrier 1 he should get all the favours and I'll put him on top. Troy Turner goes onto MY BIG AL and certainly has solid claims. He got shuffled back approaching the straight at his last outing but battled on well. REVISITED drops back to a mile after a couple of efforts over staying trips. He finds it hard to win but this is his type of grade. DOUBLE SWIRL looks the only leader in the race, she has to be included for that very reason. Then you have the likes of TALK TO THE WALL, TRIPLE KEN, SNUGLET and FLYING FALCON who can also play a part. This is very tricky!
Numbers 4, 10, 8, 7

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - racingjobs.com.au HANDICAP

No. 7 AMBERSTROEM. This race has certainly changed complexion with the scratching of the likely favourite, COUTURE CHIK. With little confidence ended up going for AMBERSTROEM. He's a galloper with some ability but who has been a hard one for punters to catch. His first up effort behind Cassidy Cowboy was solid. He got wide with no cover from his awkward gate but boxed on soundly in the straight. He has drawn awkwardly again but he does get some luck in running he should finish close to the mark. The SJ Miller stable is firing at the moment as well. FLAMING TOM can improve second up, if he shows the form of last campaign then he is winning chance. AYTOZED is still a maiden but is not without some hope. MONEY FOR CASH was solid last start and is also in the mix. This looks an open race.
Numbers 7, 5, 11, 1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - ozbet.com.au HANDICAP

No. 4 FORTESCUE FLYER. This looks the race of the day with some nice types engaged. The speed should be on with SEIZE CONTROL and NEDIYMS RULER both capable of rolling forward and running along. FORTESCUE FLYER is a promising galloper who resumes from a spell. Last campaign he won three of his five starts and was placed on the other occasions. His barrier trial win was good and he should be ready to roll first up. If he can get over from his wide gate and settle one off the fence without spending too much petrol I think he will be too good. CASSIDY COWBOY put it all together last start and posted a nice win. He should get a nice run and finish off strong again. NEDIYMS RULER is always a chance in this type of race. He went very quick in Saturday grade last start and only tired late. ICONOCLAST is nice type who resumes from a spell without a trial, he's not without some hope. This is a good race.
Numbers 4, 14, 6, 10

Suggested Bet - Fortescue Flyer eachway if odds allow

RACE 8 - PERTH RACING MEMBERS HANDICAP

No. 4 CHANIFY. Hopefully we can finish off with a winner again. Going for CHANIFY on an eachway basis. I liked his first up performance over the unsuitable 1000m trip. He drew the outside gate, settled last and was doing his best work late. The step up to 1400m is ideal and I think he will finish off hard and is the one to beat. LUNAR IMAGE was a solid first up winner, sitting outside the leader and dominating the race. This is a step up in grade but she should be in the race for a long way. The well bred SHOT OF GLORY was also a nice first up winner. He's probably looking for further than 1400m already but this is not an overly strong race. KILAT has been up for a long time and he's probably nearing the end of his campaign but he could be the value runner. He had no luck at all last start, at his best he can play a part.
Numbers 4, 10, 12, 9

Suggested Bet - Chanify eachway