Belmont Preview, 23rd June

Gary Wright | Metropolitan Racing | Fri 22 June, 2012

A terrific days racing at Belmont this afternoon for British day, with the Hyperion Stakes and Belmont Guineas highlighting the programme, the appearance of our latest champion racehorse in Luckygray is a real bonus for everyone who makes their way to the track today.

Race 1- Westspeed Nursery Handicap- 1600metres

These two year olds step up to the mile this afternoon, which may suit a couple here that have been just beaten in shorter races of late. One of those is Dubai Escapade who charged home last start here on Jun 9 when only beaten a head by Wombie’s Legacy, maybe the tables will be turned today. Dubai Escapade meets Wombie’s Legacy 2kgs better than that day and that just may be a decisive factor today. Possibly the extra 200metres today also suits him more than it does his main rival. Womblie’s Legacy is in a rich vein of form having won his last three starts and must be considered hard to beat in his quest to extend that winning streak, he will no doubt race close to the lead and will once again give his backers a great sight for their investments. Military Hero is another who looks like he will appreciate the mile, he was also only beaten a length in the same race two weeks ago, he is one to also keep an eye on this afternoon, and the Blackfriars gelding Friar’s Luck should be about the place.

Numbers- 5-1-7-6
Suggested Bet- 5- Dubai Escapade- Win

Race 2- Westspeed 3YO Handicap- 1000metres

My Bonny Lad returns to the track today, he impressed at three race starts in his only previous campaign, highlighted by a win over Flying Affair at Belmont last July. He should be able to posse up well from the inside barrier over the sprint journey and run over these if his fitness holds out. He does have an impressive record first up so we will back him to be the one to beat today. The likely leader will be Pure Adrenalin, he is now race fit and goes very quickly over these sprint distances, has also drawn well so he shouldn’t have to spend too much energy taking up the lead today, however he does rise 2kgs on his last run and maybe the 58.5kgs will tell in the dying stages of this race. Another with good first up form to recommend him is Screaming Plum, he has been in the money at all three starts when racing first up and will no doubt appreciate the 3kg claim for Jo Azzopardi today, must be considered some sort of chance in this race. Demimonde is racing quite well of late also, a good close up second at her last start to Excelorada two weeks ago, she races well at this track and over the 1000metres so certainly include her in novelty bets this afternoon.

Numbers- 4-3-1-6
Suggested Bet- 4- My Bonny Lad- Each Way

Race 3- perthracing.com.au Handicap- 1400metres

The Albany trained Raucous Laughter has been racing in extremely good form of late and it should continue here this afternoon. His last start here two weeks ago he was an impressive winner over 1600metres, and although back to 1400metres today, he still does look the one to beat. He has drawn perfectly for Shaun McGruddy to land him in a commanding position in this race and he should once again finish over the top of them. Just Wicked has also been racing very well of late winning her last two starts, her last start was terrific in beating the promising Born To Excel here on May26, this is her biggest test to date but she does look up to it on her previous form, although she may need a little luck from barrier ten, which in the end is the reason for going with Raucous Laughter as the on top selection. One that should improve today is Trustee Brown, now having his fourth race start this campaign, his last start was his best run this time in when fourth to Raucous Laughter, he does meet him 2kgs better today as well, and Numerous Secrets ran a good race last start when second to Texan, he must be given a chance as well in this event at good each way odds.

Numbers- 5-9-4-8
Suggested Bet- 5- Raucous Laughter- Win

Race 4- playeronline.com.au Handicap- 2000metres

A maximum field to contest the distance event of the day here and consequently plenty of chances. One that is definitely overdue for a win is the Alan Matthews trained Cyber Crime, his last three starts here at Belmont have produced three second placings, last start he was beaten by a good one in Mr Moet, and he did have a few excuses that day. He is drawn pretty well and should settle in a good spot, so today just might be the day, certainly if you have had a few hard earned dollars on him of late, it’s probably best to follow him up again this afternoon. One that may improve today is Once A Week, she is carrying a postage stamp weight compared to her last few starts, and has the draw to get a really good run, today really is her chance to run into the money, she has a good record over the Belmont 2000metres having won twice previously, she may be at reasonable each way odds as well. Plenty of other chances in a good open race though, with Ladysea amongst those, she has been running consistent races of late, as has Rockys Brother, a previously very inconsistent performer has finally put a few runs together, and last weeks winner Verdello Blue is another not without a chance of making it back to back wins here.

Numbers- 5-4-3-9
Suggested Bet- 5- Cyber Crime- Each Way

Race 5- twitter.com/perthracing Handicap- 1200metres

What a fantastic field we see going around in this race, you could make a case for nearly all the runners here. I would expect to see a good pace on in this race with the likes of Solsay and Right Time engaged and so will go for Sweet Serenity to run over the top of them at the end of this race. She has run a couple of really good races at her first two starts back from a spell, charging home to be placed twice both over the 1000metres, she will no doubt appreciate the extra 200metres this afternoon. I would imagine she will adopt her normal racing style of coming home from the back of the field and she just might get over the top of them here. Solsay has won six from ten over the six furlongs and with another light weight here should be very hard to beat, Hayley Diener has had some great success in recent weeks riding this horse from the front and expect no different this afternoon. Right Time will also be up on the pace, he may prefer the shorter 1000metre journey but must be respected on his recent good form as well. Caves Road really blotted his copybook last week putting in an awful run, but if you can forgive him that, surely he comes in with solid claims here as well. Dreamaway is a class mare, and should be approaching full fitness, but its going to be hard to win this carrying 60.5kgs against a field of this quality.

Numbers- 11-6-5-3
Suggested Bet- 11- Sweet Serenity- Each Way

Race 6- Hyperion Stakes- 1600metres

No prizes for guessing who the selection will be in this race. Luckygray will be at prohibitive odds and so he should be on his recent performances. He has returned to racing in brilliant style following on from his last campaign which culminated in the Railway Stakes victory. He bolted in with the Roma Cup on May 26 and followed that with the Belmont Sprint victory coming from well back with a whopping 61kgs. He simply wins this race, the weight for age conditions give his rivals no real chance of defeating him, but lets all enjoy watching this champion go round this afternoon in what may be one of his last starts in the state. The horses that chased the great grey home in the Belmont Sprint loom as the major place chances again, Reimbursement ran a good second that day, and may do so again today, he does rise sharply in weight but has raced very well of late, and expect another good showing form him today. Colour Correct ran a really good fourth at his first start back this campaign, he has a superb record when racing second up so you can also expect a forward showing from the stablemate of Reimbursement here. Rosie Rocket is back after a break following her country cups campaign, and although unsuited by the weights today may run a good race while fresh.

Numbers- 2-5-4-10
Suggested Bet- 2- Luckygray- Win

Race 7- WARAO Belmont Guineas- 1600metres

Another cracking field to contest this year’s Belmont Guineas headed up by the WA Derby winner in Rohan, he has been off the scene since that Group two triumph at Ascot back on Apr14, but it’s hard to go past him in this race. The set weights conditions really throw him into the race with a massive chance as long as the fitness level of the horse is still fine, and you would expect that would be the case. He has drawn the pole position at the mile start, so he should save ground from that position and as long as Glenn Smith can get him off the rail and into a striking position he should be able to reel them in over the long Belmont straight. Another good performer returning this afternoon is Flag Officer, he will probably lead this race if he can, he will have to cross over from barrier twelve to do so, but he also represents class in this race today, and should be the main danger to Rohan, indeed it’s great to have both these top performers going around at Belmont at this time of the year. One that may run a race at good odds is Accelarometer, he has charged home at his two Belmont starts since winning his maiden at Bunbury in the autumn, he may get under the guard of a few punters, he certainly has a lot of potential and could sneak a place over the longer distance this afternoon, and Black Uma won well here two weeks ago over 1400metres, being by Blackfriars he should get the mile today, he did win an easier race over this distance at Ascot in January. Leoluck has passed every test so far as well, he is back 500metres in distance on his last start win, and this is his toughest test to date, but if you have been following him, you might as well do so again, he will be at good each way prices here I would expect.

Numbers- 1-2-11-3
Suggested Bet- 1- Rohan- Win

Race 8- tabozbet.com.au Handicap- 1300metres

A difficult choice here to try and separate Terminado and Red Mercedes, both have been in very impressive form of late. In the end the 3kgs claim for apprentice Hayley Diener, and probably more importantly the fact that Red Mercedes has drawn the outside gate and is carrying 59.5kgs has swayed me to Terminado. She has held her form extremely well over her three starts this campaign, and indeed did win here on May19 at good odds, ridden by Lisa Bivemark that day. Her last start was a close short neck second behind Mavromata, and on that form from a beautiful draw she will be the winning selection here today. Red Mercedes is also racing in great form at present, he won well here on May19 and followed that with a third to McScar at Belmont on Jun2, so he must be considered a big chance on that form, even from the poor draw. Another with good form is Iseethingsyoudon’t, he hasn’t been out of a place in his three starts, this is certainly a big step up in class today, but you would think he may be up to it based on that good form. Frenchman won well at the midweeks here at his last start and can give you a good run for your money from a good barrier this afternoon.

Numbers- 2-1-12-6
Suggested Bet- 2- Terminado- Each Way

Best Bet

Race 5 No 11 Sweet Serenity- Each Way
Race 7 No 1 Rohan