Hoops tips for Belmont 23rd May

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 23 May, 2012

RACE 1 - WESTSPEED NURSERY HANDICAP 1200m

No. 6 WHEATBELT SWALLOW - This looks a very tricky two-year-old event to kick off the day. I'll go for (6) WHEATBELT SWALLOW who didn't get the best of luck when resuming from a spell. His effort also suggested that he'll appreciate the step up 1200m. (9) FAVOURITE ARTIST has trialled nicely on a couple of occasions, she was asked for nothing at her most recent effort. From barrier 2 she'll get a sweet run. (7) ELAY PRINCESS is another who was jogging to the line in that same trial. The blinkers go on and I'm expecting a forward showing from her. (5) MILITARY HERO made a solid debut in Saturday company and if reproduces he's a definite winning chance.
Numbers - 6, 9, 7, 5
Suggested Bet -No Bet

RACE 2 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1400m

No. 10 REAL GLOW - I'll stick with (10) REAL GLOW but if she happens to come up really short I'll be letting her go. She was a little disappointing last start but she did get shuffled back a couple of spots approaching the straight and was left flat footed when the sprint went on. From barrier 2 she'll get a sweet run and if Paul Harvey can get her into the clear early in the straight she'll be hard to beat. (11) HYDROFLIGHT is still a maiden after 8 starts but looks just about ready to breakthrough. Her last start effort was full of merit after being posted for the duration. From barrier 1 she can either lead or box seat. (9) FOO FOO THE SNOO will appreciate the drop back to her own age group and Glenn Smith jumping back on is a positive. (1) CHINESE BURN had no luck at her most recent outing, getting blocked for the majority of the straight. She was a strong winner at her prior start.
Numbers - 10, 11, 9, 1
Suggested Bet - Real Glow win

RACE 3 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1000m

No. 1 LORD BALTHAZAR - They should burn along in this with a few noted speedsters engaged and hopefully it will set it up perfectly for the two best horses in this race, (1) LORD BALTHAZAR and (3) SCORN SAXON. I have a slight leaning towards (1) LORD BALTHAZAR just on the basis he's had a couple of trials and he gets a 1.5kg pull. His first two efforts last preparation were very good and he just needs to repeat either of those and he will take some holding out. (3) SCORN SAXON is nice filly and ran well in all her starts in her first preparation. Her recent trial effort was very good viewing and if she can make use of her draw she'll be very hard to beat. Next best (5) EL COSTA MAR who is becoming a non-winner but she should appreciate the services of Paul Harvey. The blinkers go on (2) HURACAN and he can fill a hole for the novelties.
Numbers - 1, 3, 5, 2
Suggested Bet - Lord Balthazar each way if odds permit

RACE 4 -ITALIAN DAY @ BELMONT THIS SATURDAY HANDICAP

No. 2 EXCELORADA - There is certainly some speed to burn in this with Master Force, Excelorada, Little Larrikin and Twilight Hero all capable of turning it on early. I've settled on (2) EXCELORADA on the basis he's drawn inside a couple of the speedsters and I think he might be able to take the sit and camp on them. He did win first up at Northam sitting third the fence and he might just do the same here. (1) MASTER FORCE never gave his rivals a look in first up at Northam. Leading from go to whoa and basically running his rivals ragged. There is no reason he won't go close again. (4) LITTLE LARRIKIN resumes without a trial but he'll be in the firing line for a long way. (7) YAMUNOTRI went awful last start but it could pay to forgive her for that effort and if she reproduces her first up effort she's a live hope.
Numbers - 2, 1, 4, 7
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 5 - PR MIDWEEK ROAST PACKAGE HANDICAP 1650m

No. 7 TIFFANY YELLOW - This is a good competitive midweek mares' race with a few chances. I'm happy to stick with (7) TIFFANY YELLOW as she progresses through the grades. Her debut effort at Pinjarra over 1200m was good. She settled back in the field and worked home nicely. She then was well backed at Northam and didn't let followers down, coming with a well-timed run to break her maiden tag in style. The step up to 1650m will suit and provided there is at least an even tempo upfront she's the one to beat. (10) GRANADILLA MISS put in a career best performance last start where she ran second to Ladysea at big odds. She should get a soft run from her good draw and if she repeats her last start performance she's well and truly in the mix. (6) LOUISIANA BLUES was solid last week in a race dominated by the speed horses. She's an each way chance. As is (5) JIM ‘N' JIM who is a last start winner in maiden company, beating Hyden, who won last Thursday in a ratings race at Pinjarra.
Numbers - 7, 10, 6, 5
Suggested Bet - Tiffany Yellow each way

RACE 6 - PR PUNTERS CLUB HANDICAP 1650m

No. 9 STAR BEAU - This looks a raffle! I never thought I'd be putting (9) STAR BEAU on top but if he reproduces his effort from last week then whatever beats him will win. He's had ample opportunities in his career to crack a win but has been unable to do so in 26 starts. Hopefully today is the day! (6) ELECTIONEER hardly has a record you'd be climbing out of trees to want to get aboard but back to midweek company suits and he's got an each way chance. (7) NO EXPECTATIONS is racing consistently and did lose on protest at his last start, he's a genuine winning chance again. (8) OPERATIONAL is still a maiden but he should enjoy a nice run from his good alley and be thereabouts. This could be a load up job for the quaddie!
Numbers - 9, 6, 7, 8
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP 2100m

No. 4 DANECLICKED - There is a bit of depth to this staying race and the winner does look well concealed. I'll go for (4) DANECLICKED who was well backed last start and ran quite well. When the moves started to come at the 800m he was shuffled back in traffic and I still thought he hit the line solidly late. Drawing wide probably suits as Peter Hall can get working on him a fair way from home and make it a staying test. (5) ENDLESS SACRIFICE is a consistent mare who ran well last start. She was shuffled back when the speed went on mid race and she was doing her best work late. From her good draw she should get a soft run and finish strongly. (8) CRISPIANO will appreciate the drop back to midweek level and is drawn to get a very soft run. (2) GREYMATES will get back from his wide draw but with a cart into the race he's a chance. Another wide open leg for the quaddie.
Numbers - 4, 5, 8, 2
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 8 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 1 MORNING MIST - A really good finish to the day with a couple of well credentialed gallopers set to clash. (1) MORNING MIST is a classy mare who has built up impressive record of four wins and two placings from just seven starts. Her sole unplaced performance was a fourth in the listed Jungle Dawn Classic. She has previously raced three times first up and won on each occasion. Her barrier trial was nice viewing and with normal racing luck I think she'll be chalking up win number five. (2) SILVER TRADER should provide some stiff opposition. He's drawn to get the soft run and should be ready to pounce on straightening. (11) CYCLONIC HALO was good at her only two starts before a spell. This is a step up in grade but she appears to be a mare that has plenty of scope. (7) UNFORGIVING MINUTE ran well over 1000m last week and the step to 1200m should assist.
Numbers - 1, 2, 11, 7
Suggested Bet - Morning Mist win