Hoops Tips for Belmont 19th May

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Fri 18 May, 2012

RACE 1 -THE PASSAGES RESOURCE CENTRE HANDICAP 2000m

No. 5 CHESTER ROAD - We kick off the day with a staying race which will see (5) CHESTER ROAD go around as a long odds on favourite on the strength of his last start win. On that occasion he parked midfield, made his move approaching the turn and powered clear under little riding to post an emphatic victory. If he repeats that effort, he wins! (4) HIBERNIAN is a very honest stayer; he'll be giving his stable mate a head start in the run and is likely to be flooding home when it's all over. I'll include (1) MABLE GRACE in my numbers which would give Adam Durrant the trifecta. The distance and weight are the queries with her. (8) SUPER HAWK is consistent and has top four claims again.
Numbers - 5, 4, 1, 8

RACE 2 - THE VINNIES AND ROTARY PARTNERSHIP HANDICAP 1000m

No. 1 SATURDAY SKIES - This looks like a fairly weak two-year-old event and I'll stick with the race form and go for (1) SATURDAY SKIES. When resuming from a spell he missed by a half head after enjoying a nice run in transit. From barrier 1, he can either lead or box seat and from there, he will be in the finish. (2) PARK LANE resumes from spell for his new trainer, Jim Taylor. His recent trial win was good and with the blinkers going on, a bold first up showing is expected. (3) HUSSARS was solid first up and if he can repeat that effort, he'll be in the mix. (7) DUETON trialled solidly, he'll probably get back in running but will be doing his best work late.
Numbers 1, 2, 3, 7

RACE 3 - THE BARCON LOGISTICS HANDICAP 1400m

No. 1 CAVALLO PAZZO - This is not the easiest race to dissect but I'll stick with the class galloper, (1) CAVALLO PAZZO. He brings into the race listed race form from the Northam Sprint and last week's H.G. Bolton Sprint. From barrier 1, he'll get all the favours in running and will prove the one to beat. (3) TEN ACES is never an easy horse to catch but if he can find the front and control terms, he'll give them something to run down. (2) DEMPSEY is racing well and should appreciate the drop in distance and weight. (5) KENS DOUBLE has found his form again and is in the mix.
Numbers 1, 3, 2, 5

RACE 4 -THE WESTRALIAN DIAMOND DRILLERS HANDICAP 1200m

No. 9 JAJA SAAB - This is a really good three-year-old sprint with a few quality types engaged. I'm happy to be on (9) JAJA SAAB who I think is a very smart horse. His debut win at Pinjarra was effortless and he then motored home from the rear to finish on the heels of the placegetters at his next start in town. It was a tremendous effort considering there were not many horses who made any ground out wide on the day. The step up to 1200m suits and I think he'll take a power of beating. (1) TRAVINATOR is looking for the picket fence and he will definitely be hard to beat. He dominated his rivals at his most recent outing and is looking to do the same again. (6) CHECKPOINT returned to racing in very good fashion when he thundered home to just miss. He'll be steaming late again. (5) ANSHAN is a consistent type who has solid top four claims.
Numbers 9, 1, 6, 5

RACE 5 - THE BLUE SPEC MINING HANDICAP 1300m

No. 2 SAEZURI - This looks like a wide open start to the quaddie. Without much confidence I'll go for (2) SAEZURI who is a consistent mare and always has each way claims in these types of events. She had absolutely no luck whatsoever at her last outing in the Matchmaker Classic when she never saw any daylight in the straight. The wide draw should suit as she should be able to stay out of trouble and unwind with a big finish. (5) RESETGOLD has drawn awkwardly again but if she gets some luck in running she should be in the finish. (6) UNDERCOVER LIZZY refused to settle first up and as a result she faded badly in the straight. Peter Knuckey jumping back on is a plus. (7) ONE COOL QUEEN was blocked for practically the entire Northam straight at her last outing. She could be the value runner. A wide open race!
Numbers - 2, 5, 6, 7

RACE 6 -THE RAMELIUS RESOURCES HANDICAP 1200m

No. 11 RONS CALL - I'm giving (11) RONS CALL another chance after he has been turned over as a long odds on favourite at his two runs back from a spell. On both occasions he has drawn wide, settled at the rear and worked home OK. From barrier 2 he should position much closer and hopefully he'll stand up and be counted for! (2) SIR HALLOWELL is bursting to win another race. His last few starts have all been good and Paul Harvey going on is a big plus as he has a terrific record on the gelding. (1) MEGEM'S BOY is in career best form and he should get a lovely run from his gate. With clear room, he'll be rocketing home late. (12) METALMAN has a top record at the trip and he will improve sharply on his first up performance.
Numbers - 11, 2, 1, 12

RACE 7 - SKYRACING.TV-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL 1400m
No. 2 CARRY THE NATION - These provincial championship finals can often throw up some wide results but I don't think that will occur this year as (2) CARRY THE NATION comes into the race as clearly the horse to beat. His form this preparation has been outstanding including a brilliant last start win at Albany when he bungled the start, hunted through on the fence and came clear for a most impressive win. Hopefully he'll jump with them on Saturday and if he does, I think he'll win. (7) ROCKY'S BROTHER is in good form and his last start win was full of merit as he did all the work in running. (9) VICTOUBOOUG is racing well and has solid each way claims. Paul Harvey goes onto (13) EASTERN TWISTER and I think he'll be the big improver.
Numbers 2, 7, 9, 13

RACE 8 - THE REED RESOURCES HANDICAP 1300m

No. 5 CASSIDY COWBOY - I think Paul Harvey can send punters home on a high as (5) CASSIDY COWBOY should be very hard to beat in this event. He has returned to racing this preparation in terrific form, posting a dominant first up win and last start he was nosed out by Texan who franked that form with an easy win last week. From barrier 3, he should park right over the speed and be very hard to beat. If the first emergency (17) NAVARDA LAD gains a start, the opposition will certainly know he's in the race. He was no hope first up after getting caught very wide from his draw. From barrier 2, he should be able to box seat. (13) HI KILMORE resumes from a spell and his recent trial win was top viewing. He could be the value runner. (9) CAPRICIOUS LAD doesn't know how to run a bad race but he often finds it hard to win.
Numbers - 5, 17, 13, 9