On The Money - Belmont October 2

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Mon 3 October, 2011

It was a great day of racing where we saw several potential stars take care of their respective opposition. Barakey was amazing and now well documented, running 56.33 at just his fourth race start. Shining Knight is a star of the future, recording a tick over 57 and a sub 33 sectional in the three year old race while Ranger's returned signaled him as being a serious player this summer after probably being a little immature last campaign.

On another note, the Sunday racing to dodge the AFL grand final was a success. Well done to Perth Racing for the initiative that will only get stronger as the public gets used to it.

Against the Pattern:

Everyone thought Kasabian would get a cheap lead in the first but when Offer Me Jewels was steadily backed to beat both Peg's Pride and Kasabian, it was evident all would not go to plan. Late replacement rider Staeck took off and set a fierce pace, opening the door wide for the back markers. Offer Me Jewels was best suited after Peg's Pride was flushed out early to chase. A bad start to the day for bookies.

The Drifter:

Kasabian opened at $3.20 on Thursday and closed a driftint $4.40 shot with very little interest. He pulled up sore and has been retired, which may have had something to do with the drift.

Unbelievably, Ranger was the easiest winner all day, drifting hopelessly from his opening quote of $3.30 to $4.80 in the ring and as far as $5.50 off course. He brained them.

The Newcomer:

Shining Knight went up a $6 shot in pre-post and was steadily supported into $4.60 at start time. His trials suggested he was something special, but to produce it first up and beat experienced horses like he did, was outstanding. One to follow throughout the summer.

The Shortie:

There were'nt too may who wanted to take on Barakey at $1.45 but he justified the short price by winning in very easy fashion after taking a few hundred metres to overpower The Entourage. Not only the price was justified, but the hype is aswell.

The Surprise:

Gum Nut Guru is generally well supported in the ring, but this week he was crunched from $9 to $6, sat three wide and overcame them to win narrowly after dropping back from 1650m to 1200m. A pretty amazing feat to get this horse racing week in, week out, winning his fair share and out of the highly respected David Harrison stable.

Under The Odds:

While Tranquility has proven herself an outstanding race mare, I thought her price of $3.80 was well under the odds considering she was taking on two excellent open class sprinters in Waratah's Secret and Shock Value. She should have been third favourite at best.

At Long Odds:

Follow the Road was specked from $61 to $41 in race three while Majorca was specked on course by a cash punter from $101 to $61 in race 7. Both ran second last.

Where There's Smoke:

Xaaravid was posted a $31 shot on Thursday after a very good trial and was specked into $21. He further came in to $14 on race day and ran a handy race in that company, coming from last and running fourth. Definitely worth following in a lower grade of race.

(pic D.Wyer Racing and Bloodstock)