Belmont Tips with Greg Hooper - 21st September

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 21 September, 2011

RACE 1 - HPM LEGRAND HANDICAP

No. 1 DE LATTE. Sticking the likely favourite DE LATTE in the first but this is no way cut and dry so I would be loathe to be diving into a short quote. He won well on debut back in May when he was able to lead all the way and was always in control. He then stepped up to Saturday class but had genuine excuses when he was unable to get in from his wide draw and restrained to the tail and never came on. Paul Harvey and the blinkers go on for his return and from barrier 1 he should hop to the front and give them something to rundown. He will though find some stiff competition from FIGHTERS SECOND who is a nice type who also resumes from a spell. He has only won the single race but he couldn't have been more impressive when he blew away Pure Adrenalin at Bunbury. His trial was OK and I expect him to finishing strongly. The horse he beat at Bunbury PURE ADRENALIN also resumes from a spell and going by his trial win he looks like he may have come on since his first preparation. He led and won his trial by a space in good time. I also liked the way RIOBRESA found the line first up in what should be a very good form reference. The drop to midweek grade suits. JAVELINE JACK trialled nicely and can't be underestimated. The more I look at this the more I'm happy to give the race a miss.
Numbers 1, 2, 5, 4

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - STEEL BLUE HANDICAP

No. 8 CALDO. This mare was a dominant first up winner at Northam, going straight to the front and finding another gear at the furlong to draw clear for an easy win. There is no doubt this is a step up in class and the fact she has drawn the outside is of a concern as there does appear to be some good early speed drawn inside her. Still, on her debut effort if she is able to get over one off the fence then I think she will take a lot of beating. GINGERVATE should be able to park midfield all covered up and if Jason Whiting can find her some galloping room she will hit the line hard. HOT SASSO drops back to 1000m which suits, although she has to take on the older gallopers she has undeniable winning claims. CHEEKY GIGGLE won his trial with ease but he has disappointed previously when doing the same.
Numbers 8, 7, 10, 9

Suggested Bet - Caldo eachway if odds permit

RACE 3 - tabtouch.mobi HANDICAP

No. 7 BREAK SEA. Good midweek sprint event with a few chances. If BREAK SEA had drawn better I would be very keen to be involved, as it is he will have to overcome the awkward draw but if he can it should ensure we get a better price. His two efforts this preparation for his new trainer, Craig Wolfreys, have been terrific. First up he dominated his rivals at Northam leading from go to whoa and last start over 1200m in Saturday class it took a couple of nice gallopers in Rafferty and Jappaloop to reel him in. This is a nice drop in grade and distance and I think he should be able to work over to lead or sit outside whoever decides to lead and prove very hard to beat. OUR MOSCATO was very good last start, settling off the speed and rattling home with 58.5kg. She will have to carry the same weight but we have seen the form out of that race being franked via Lee Rani and Summer Swallow running one and two on Sunday. If she can be within striking distance when they corner she is the one they have to hold out. COMME CI is always a chance in this grade of race and she looks well in with the claim. PRINCESS GRANDERA is getting a reputation as a non-winner but with the right run she has can play a part. ANGELIC HEART has burnt punters plenty of times, I'm happy to see her win a race before I dive into her again. ROMIDA makes her debut to Jim Taylor, obviously watch the market with her.
Numbers 7, 3, 1, 6

Suggested Bet - Break Sea eachway

RACE 4 - PHOENIX HOLDEN HANDICAP

No. 2 BEGUILE. Obviously we have a very important scratching of the top weight here which means that BEGUILE looks very hard to beat. She showed ability in her first preparation and her recent trial win was blistering. She led and came clear for an 11 length romp in quick time. She should be able to burn over from her wide gate and either lead or park outside the leader and be very hard to beat. PURE HEAVEN showed enough in her first campaign and she trialled well. MOONLIGHT MISS has been back to the trials since her Northam win which she defeated Reign Of Terror, she should be around the mark. ENCHANTED LIFE and SAX IN THE CITY I thought trialled the best of the first starters.
Numbers 2, 4, 15, 3

Suggested Bet - Beguile win

RACE 5 - TRINITY AUXILIARY HANDICAP

No. 7 KABAM BOY. There appears to be limited form to work with in this event. For that reason I'm going for the maiden, KABAM BOY. He has found the line solidly at his last few starts and at his most recent outing at Northam he thundered home down the outside rail to beat all bar Straleta, she had previously been running well in midweek city class. He'll likely get back again so he'll need some luck but in a tricky race he gets the nod. PRINCE KODIAK is limited but is racing in career best form. He is a one paced grinder so he will have to be ridden positively early and find a spot close to the speed otherwise he will struggle to get into the race. If FIERY NIGHTS was able to produce his best then he would be very hard to beat. He resumes from a spell and big fresh performance wouldn't surprise. Of the rest BENDIT will roll forward and park right over the speed, he has to be included for that reason alone. ON THE WARPATH although out of form can improve sharply and the same can be said for ST PIERRE. A very tough race.
Numbers 7, 1, 3, 6

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP

No. 4 ATHENA'S ME MUM. On paper this looks a fairly open event with a number of winning chances. I'm going for ATHENA'S ME MUM who I think is in career best form. Her last three starts have all been good, particularly her most recent effort where she rattled home in Saturday company to just miss the main prize. The drop back to midweek grade suits and I think she will be thundering home late again, hopefully going one better. PRINCE TED gets into a suitable race, he disappointed last time out but his previous form suggests he will be more than competitive in this event. SOONEST finally broke through for his maiden win where he led and gave a good kick. He looks the likely leader again which is always a plus in these midweek mile races. JACKSON ROCKS ran well first up and the step up in distance suits. HASTE is hard to catch but her first up performance was an eye catcher.
Numbers - 4, 6, 9, 11

Suggested Bet - Athena's Me Mum eachway

RACE 7 - ozbet.com.au HANDICAP

No. 4 SOUTH BOULDER BOY. On paper SOUTH BOULDER BOY looks the leader and he looks hard to beat. He led, was well rated and came clear for a tough win at his recent outing and as this is a marginal class rise he doesn't go up in weight. No knock for me and he looks the one to beat again. COME FLIRT WITH ME got the job done first up at Northam and with William Pike going on he is well in the mix. DEMANDS ATTENTION is reaching veteran status but clearly he is racing well enough to play a part. MR MOET is a blowout chance first up over the 1400m. He showed enough in his last preparation to suggest he will be more than competitive at this level. LAGOBELL disappointed first up but she is a better mare than that and I wouldn't be surprised to see her run an improved race.
Numbers 4, 12, 2, 6

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 8 - IMAGESOURCE HANDICAP

No. 2 MELODY LADY. Pretty even mares' race to finish the day. MELODY LADY has her hoof firmly planted on the till and hopefully she can cash out today. Two starts back she was hopelessly unlucky getting caught behind tiring runners and never getting a crack and last start she beat all bar the very talented, Rubitawny. She does have to lump the 58kg but offsetting that to a degree is the fact she should get a charmed run from her gate. This looks a ideal race for her. MARGARET STREET ran well first up off a long layoff, with natural improvement she should be around the mark. STEALTH CAT is looking for further but is a blowout chance. VERY BIZARRE makes her debut for Trevor Andrews and showed when last in work she is a mare with ability. She was asked for nothing in a recent barrier trial. SNUFF GRUFFLES will get back from her alley but will find the line hard and ALL MESSED UP should get a dream run from her gate and definitely has claims. A good finish to the day.
Numbers 2, 4, 11, 9

Suggested Bet - Melody Lady eachway