Belmont Preview, June 20th

Chris Nelson | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 20 June, 2012

After just surviving a donut last week, we're looking at very similar conditions tomorrow for midweek racing at Belmont. Last week cleared up well come race day throwing a lot of the slower form out the window, along with my selections. We'll tread more cautiously this Wednesday on a very tough nine race program.

R1. WESTSPEED NURSERY HANDICAP 1300M

Hard to go past one of the in-form 2yo's in Star of Orient after his excellent second campaign to date. Following a top maiden win at Pinjarra, his early form around star 2yo Luke's Luck has meant he's continued to propser and he added to his record with a city win last start. The field is of a similar class tomorrow. We're all hoping the real All West shows up with some competition after running last against Star of Orient in the same race, despite looking good in trials. The Dan Morton- trained galloper returned to the trials following that run and met the stewards requirements. Flying Solo wasn't far away on debut and an improved performance puts him in this.

1. STAR OF ORIENT - 3. ALL WEST - 10. FLYING SOLO

R2. WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1400M

Two reappearances from Wednesday last week come in the form of Sad Eyes and Foo Foo The Snoo. Sad Eyes was brave boxing on against Counter Offer, who benefited from the better run, and he's not here this week. The barrier will be his greatest enemy tomorrow. Foo Foo The Snoo wasn't as impressive in his finish, however managed 5th against a better field and improvement will see him back in the winners circle. Pure Heaven is the class of the race and has been around the mark.

7. SAD EYES - 3. FOO FOO THE SNOO - 1. PURE HEAVEN

R3. WESTSPEED STAYERS' BONUS HANDICAP 2100M

Incentive Scheme was a bold effort last week, and despite still being maiden, looks suited again in this field. A polar opposite performance was that of Don Sebastian's who never looked likely after trashing the start, however the gear changes and ground might work to his favour - bouncing back won't surprise. Wildwood was easily the most impressive run in the race won last week by Hongkong Star, however he'll need to do it all again from the wide barrier. Mac's Mint will be around the mark, whilst One Cool Queen should prove again that she's a wet track duffer.

10. INCENTIVE SCHEME - 6. DON SEBASTIAN - 2. MAC'S MINT

R4. DAVID EVANS HANDICAP 1400M

Shoddy old field here with very few formlines to get excited about. Looking to the Cups king for an up-and-comer in It's Only Love. She was never in the hunt at her most recent run as Prince Sage broke the race open, however she did exceptionally well to get as close as she did. I'm tipping her with some confidence over Tiffany Yellow who rises 5kg, but has the class, and the filly Jim 'N' Jim, which has been competitive this campaign.

16. IT'S ONLY LOVE - 3. TIFFANY YELLOW - 10. JIM 'N' JIM

R5. JOHN ROBERTS HANDICAP 1400M

Don't like this race at all, however if forced I think the placement and first up record of Mossroy makes him the most interesting runner. Sharon Miller has been known to have a trick or two up her sleeve and Mossroy's form when last in work was in a higher grade. The Hay List Hero form will bring both Stone Boy and Silbar into this race and the draw should see them finish in similar order. Prince Ted is the class and returned to racing well.

4. MOSSROY - 2. STONE BOY - 1. PRINCE TED

R6. WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1200M

Exclusive Honour gets his chance tomorrow after just finishing just behind the winner at his previous three. He'll have to contest with the invasion of the two former Eastern-staters in Accrual and Gearing, both who have trialled fairly since arriving in WA. Listed winner Lord Hatras drops in grade and should find this far more suitable.

2. EXLUSIVE HONOUR - 4. ACCRUAL - 1. LORD HATRAS

R7. BEST OF BRITISH DAY 23/6 @ BELMONT PARK HANDICAP 1200M

Keeping Love You Like That on top after a good performance behind Devlish Intent - who went well enough on Saturday to give him hope here. He won at the start previous to that and comes back to the 1300. Although he doesn't win out of turn, he looks favourable from the draw. There's no reason why Hay Street Hero can't salute again and form earlier in the day will tell us how good his chances are. Sky Magic could also flash first up.

6. LOVE YOU LIKE THAT - 1. HAY STREET HERO - 2. SKY MAGIC

R8. BELMONT OAKS LADIES DAY LUNCHEON 7/7 HANDICAP 1200M

A race in two between Royal Culture and Melody Lady, and despite the wide draw we'll stick with the toppy. Jo Azzopardi should be able to negotiate the barrier and end the run as bridesmaid. Mexican Mist's formlines continued to prove itself through the win of Melody Lady however the 59kg will be the testing material. Little Larrikin has been close enough recently and should get a good run. My Rouge is also a hope at odds.

1. ROYAL CULTURE - 3. MELODY LADY - 7. LITTLE LARRIKIN

R9. playeronline.com.au HANDICAP

The lucky last and it might need to be on the difficulty level of the card. New Time was very good last start at Northam and has raced well on the track despite lacking a win to his name. Azzopardi's weight assistance should see his go very close again. On The Boil doesn't win often but he's never far away and his effort behind the topweight showed he's racing well. Money For Cash won that race but 60kg in the dug up ground might be a road too far.

2. NEW TIME - 5. ON THE BOIL - 1. MONEY FOR CASH

Best:

R1. 1. STAR OF ORIENT
R4. 16. IT'S ONLY LOVE
R9. 2. NEW TIME