Hoops tips for Belmont 9th May

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 9 May, 2012

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED NURSERY HANDICAP 1300m

No. 2 STAR OF THE ORIENT - A pretty tricky juvenile event to kick off the day. (2) STAR OF THE ORIENT was an impressive first up winner at Pinjarra, settling just off midfield and finishing powerfully in the straight and clearing out late. If he reproduces that performances he's certainly a wonderful chance to make it back to back wins. (4) FRIAR'S LUCK had no luck whatsoever in the same event. Missing the kick and then running into dead ends in the straight. He's the improver. (3) WOMBIE'S LEGACY ran a ripping race at cricket score odds in the W.A. Sires Produce Stakes. Paul Harvey goes on and if he repeats that effort he'll be hard to beat. (10) SUMMAH'S TOUCH got too far back in that Pinjarra race but was doing her best work late.
Numbers - 2, 4, 3, 10

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1000m

No. 7 SAY STARS - There looks to be good speed in this three-year-old sprint and hopefully it will set it for a horse sitting off the speed. (7) SAY STARS is a talented filly who resumes from a spell. In her first preparation she was an impressive debut winner and then ran a couple of very solid races in better company. She hasn't had a trial but will get the services of Paul Harvey. If she can settle close enough from her gate I think she'll be too good. (2) CAN'T HARTLEY WAIT went awfully at Northam but her trainer suggested she may have choked down and the tongue tie has been added. (9) MISS MEYET has run well at both her starts for Justin Warwick, this is a step up but she has solid top four claims. (1) PURE ADRENALIN drops back to midweek level, he'll go forward, give a kick but will likely be found wanting late.
Numbers - 7, 2, 9, 1

Suggested Bet - Say Stars win

RACE 3 - PLAYERONLINE.COM.AU HANDICAP 1000m

No. 4 ORTESSA - They should really hum along in this sprint with speedsters Ima Citinpretty, Lisetta and Hiatus all engaged. Tipping a horse like (4) ORTESSA is fraught with danger but I was really impressed with her trial effort and she is first up for the Adam Durrant stable so I'm happy to take the gamble. She is a mare who has always shown plenty of ability but does have a tendency to do things wrong in her races. Hopefully with the speed on upfront she can settle nicely in running and launch late. (3) LISETTA is always hard to get past over 1000m and from barrier 1 she should fire straight to the front and give them something to catch. (8) ROYAL CULTURE should be the big improver. She's a mare who has to be held up and let loose at just the right time. She'll enjoy the strong tempo. (5) SUCCESS PARK was solid first up and is another will enjoy the strong top end speed.
Numbers - 4, 3, 8, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1400m

No. 10 REAL GLOW - The scratching of Kalahaar has really changed the complexion of this race. I think (10) REAL GLOW should be very hard to beat now. She was beaten by a smart on debut and her debut win last week was arrogant. Paul Harvey rode her like the best horse in the race and she duly saluted. This is clearly a step up in grade but I think she's a filly on the way through the grades. (6) FIRST FLIGHT has plenty of talent and if Jarrad Noske can get him into clear galloping room he'll be hard to hold out. He had no luck whatsoever at his last start. (3) BUSTABILL ran well first up but then disappointed last time out when racing without cover. Ridden a bit quieter he should improve. (5) AMICI NERO returned to some form at his most recent outing, getting held up early and finishing strongly late. He promised a bit early in his career but hasn't delivered to date.
Numbers - 10, 6, 3, 5

Suggested Bet- Real Glow & First Flight for a result

RACE 5 - PERTH SAINTS FC HANDICAP 1400m

No. 9 IT'S ONLY LOVE - This looks a very open mares' race. I'm going for a maiden, (9) IT'S ONLY LOVE. She put up a very big performance in her local debut at Northam sitting three and four wide without cover and going down by a half length. From her good draw if she can position up closer, I think she'll take some holding out. (7) ROSALIE PARK pulled up with an elevated heart rate, thumps, and minor swelling to a hind leg so you can put a line through her last start performance. Previous to that she had been ticking over nicely and looked set to breakthrough. (1) HAVANA CITY almost got the job done for us first up at massive prices, she'll get back from her gate but should be finishing strongly. (5) KIM ASHLEE broke through for her maiden win at her last start and she did it well. Ridden cold she should finish strongly again.
Numbers - 9, 7, 1, 5

Suggested Bet - It's Only Love each way

RACE 6 - STEEL BLUE SALES TEAM HANDICAP 2100m

No. 1 SOUND BARRIER - It's been a while between drinks for (1) SOUND BARRIER but he gets his chance to post a long overdue in this midweek staying event. He stepped up to a staying trip last time out and didn't get the best of luck in running, finishing on the heels of the placegetters. On form he looks the one but I wouldn't want to be taking anything less than each way odds. (2) GREYMATES has been in terrific form this preparation and he is racing like the 2100m will suit. (7) MIDNIGHT TOUCH drops back to midweek company and has solid each way claims despite the horrendous draw. (4) DANECLICKED is limited but has been racing well on the provincial circuit and with the senior rider back on he's some chance in an open race.
Numbers - 1, 2, 7, 4

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - PERTHRACING.COM.AU HANDICAP 1400m

No. 4 WILD WEST WILLY - There is limited form to work with in this event and I'll go for (4) WILD WEST WILLY. As we know he's very one paced so needs to lead and roll along at a strong clip. Hopefully he'll jump well from gate 2, find the front and be hard to get over. I think the danger is (1) DANGEROUSLY. He's been a frustrating horse, running numerous placings but this does look an ideal race. (3) VERDELLO BLUE raced wide without cover first up and did a good job to finish where he did. He's a definite each way chance. (2) GRANDSTAND resumes from a spell and he was asked for nothing in a recent trial.
Numbers - 4, 1, 3, 2

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 8 - BARRY THOMAS MEMORIAL HANDICAP 1300m

No. 9 VACQUEYRAS - A good competitive finish to the day. (9) VACQUEYRAS should be ready to fire at his third run in the state. He was solid first up and last start was restrained to the tail and then just jogged to the line up the straight after meeting interference. Glenn Smith goes on and the drop back to midweek company suits. (6) GREY JABIRU broke through for a deserved victory at his most recent outing when he tracked wide throughout but asserted his authority late. He should get a lovely run from his gate and looks to have very good claims. (10) YAMUNOTRI ran a solid race when she resumed from a spell, she can either lead or box seat from her good draw. (4) COBBLE LANE resumes from a spell and he has proven that he is normally more than competitive at this grade.
Numbers - 9, 6, 10, 4

Suggested Bet - Vacqueyras and Grey Jabiru both for a result if odds permit