Hoops Belmont Tips 16th May

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 16 May, 2012

RACE 1 - GAMBLE AWARE STAKES 1000m

No. 4 TOP STUFF - I'm pretty confident we can kick off the day by backing a winner. The Dan Morton trained filly, (4) TOP STUFF, should be very hard to beat in her return to the track. In her first preparation she ran very well at her first two starts, including a nose second to the eventual Karrakatta Plate and W.A. Sires Produce Stakes winner, Luke's Luck. Her recent trial win was good and the small field should suit as she can camp just off them, peel to the outside and hopefully go crunch. (3) RUE DE MARENGO has yet to run a bad race in her three start career. She'll likely take up the running and is the one to rundown. (2) TOPPER'S HALO had little luck on debut, getting jammed up on the fence at crucial stages. (5) GARANCE disappointed in her first preparation after impressing at the trials. She looks a one paced filly who will need to be rolling a fair way out.
Numbers - 4, 3, 2, 5
Suggested Bet - Top Stuff win

RACE 2 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 1000m

No. 2 SEATTLE BEAU - I'm happy to play here. I think (2) SEATTLE BEAU should be able to chalk up his second career win. He showed ability in his first campaign so it was no surprise to see him run well first up where he finished second to the speed filly, Beguile. This race does appear to contain some decent top speed so hopefully he can position up just behind it and blow them away late. (4) EXCELORADA looks the danger on the strength of his soft first up win maiden company. He'll likely go forward from his wide gate and if he can slot in one off the fence he can win. Next best (1) BENDIT who is racing in a purple patch of form and (5) HURRITDANZ who got the job done first up at Pinjarra.
Numbers - 2, 4, 1, 5
Suggested Bet - Seattle Beau win

RACE 3 - tabozbet.com.au HANDICAP 1000m

No. 1 SILVER TRADER - On class alone (1) SILVER TRADER should be very hard to beat in this event and I'll go his way. He does have to handle the back up from Saturday and has to drop back to 1000m but hopefully with a bit of tempo on upfront he should be able to unwind with a big finish and get the job done. (6) PAINTED is racing well and is suited in this company. Two starts back he was a good winner at this level and then had no luck at all in a Saturday sprint. (7) ROYAL CULTURE is always a chance in these sprints but she's a filly that needs things to go right. (5) GRACETOWN has been very disappointing this preparation, back to midweek may see him find some form.
Numbers - 1, 6, 7, 5
Suggested Bet - Silver Trader win

RACE 4 -WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1650m

No. 1 LEOLUCK - This looks a fairly even three-year-old event. I'm happy to be on (1) LEOLUCK to make it a winning hat trick. He was a dominant first up winner in maiden company and then was backed for plenty and prevailed despite working double time to in the early part of that race to cross from his wide gate. There doesn't appear to be a great deal of speed in this event and if he can lead or breeze and get away with some soft sectionals he'll take some beating. (6) DUE TO REIGN is bursting to win a race. He has found the line nicely at his last couple of starts. If he can position up a bit closer from his draw he'll take some holding out. (3) ASSETS ‘N' CASH got the job done last start after enjoying a nice run on the fence. He's a definite winning chance. (10) LOUISIANA BLUES will appreciate getting back to three-year-old company and she is a second up winner previously.
Numbers - 1, 6, 3, 10
Suggested Bet - Leoluck each way

RACE 5 - facebook.com/perthracing HANDICAP 1650m

No. 2 MAVROMATA - There looks to be a few raffles included in the quaddie legs and I think this is one of them. Without any confidence I'll go for (2) MAVROMATA who should improve on her last start performance where she settled in the back half and never fired a shot. She should find the front fairly comfortably and is she finds anything near the form she showed last preparation she'll take some catching. (1) LADYSEA is the best credentialed mare in the race. Not entirely sure that gate 1 is a big help as she is a mare who likeS to sit back and wind up in her races. Both of her wins have been when she has been able to make a long sweeping run into the race. Paul Harvey goes onto (8) PHARINFRONT and she certainly has winning claims from her good draw. (3) ZED MAGIC is suspect at the trip but on form can't be left out.
Numbers - 2, 1, 8, 3
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - twitter.com/perthracing HANDICAP 1650m

No. 5 PRINCE KODIAK - I found this a really tough race. Without any confidence I'll go for (5) PRINCE KODIAK who finished nicely last week over 1400m. From barrier 5 he should position up closer in running and he has each way claims in an open race. (6) CAT FIVE is probably the best horse in the race and if Patrick Carbery can get him over from his wide gate he's the one to beat. (4) GRANDSTAND should be the improver with the blinkers being added plus the step up to 1650m will suit. (2) DICKENS is galloper who has always shown some ability and he comes back to town after a last to first win at Geraldton.
Numbers - 5, 6, 4, 2
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1200m

No. 2 JUST WICKED - I'm very happy to stick with the classy filly, (2) JUST WICKED in this three-year-old sprint. She resumed with a very nice first up performance where she settled close to the rear but was doing her best work late over the concluding stages of the 1000m event. The big field should ensure a decent top end speed so hopefully she can sit back, be peeled to the outside on straightening and go past her less credentialed rivals. (10) DID YOU EVER has only started once where he started favourite but got into all sorts of trouble up the Pinjarra straight. He's the big improver. (16) ZIVA STAR is another maiden but I don't think it will be taking her long to shake that tag as she was impressive on debut. (3) ANSHAN is racing well and should get a lovely run from his gate.
Numbers - 2, 10, 16, 3
Suggested Bet - Just Wicked win

RACE 8 - TRINITY COLLEGE AUXILIARY HANDICAP 1300m

No. 1 HELETEX - We finish the day with a race that should be close to each way odds the field. I'll go for (1) HELETEX who I think is the best horse in the race. His first up effort at Northam was a little scratchy but the blinkers have been added which will hopefully switch him on. At his best he'd beat these. (2) BEAR TRADER will park in the first couple and should give them something to run down. (4) CLASSIC KNOWLEDGE overcame difficulties to register her maiden win at her most recent outing. (13) CANTIC has been off the scene for 12 months but it wouldn't be surprising to see her produce a performance fresh.
Numbers - 1, 2, 4, 13
Suggested Bet - None recommended