Hoops Tips for Belmont 25th July

Greg Hooper | Wed 25 July, 2012

RACE 1 - RACING RADIO 1206AM MAIDEN HANDICAP

No. 7 RAHANUI - We start the day with a 2100m maiden, never races I usually get excited about. I'll go for (7) RAHANUI who should appreciate dropping back to maiden company. He put in a real eye catching effort two starts back when he flooded home at Northam over 1600m. He was then never in the race last week when he was simply outclassed. If he repeats the effort from Northam, he goes close. If (15) SOFTEIS gains a start he should be a major player. His effort on Saturday in the Belmont Classic was sound and this is a major drop in grade. (1) MASTER ROBSON has had plenty of chances but he's in the mix again. (6) I HAVE A DREAM is regally bred and he should appreciate the step up to a real staying trip.
Numbers - 7, 15, 1, 6
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - PERTH RACING TV HANDICAP 1700m
No. 1 SKY MAGIC - This looks a tricky mares' race with a host of chances. I'll go for (1) SKY MAGIC who has ability and will appreciate both the class drop and the return of Daniel Staeck. Her last couple efforts in Saturday company have been solid and if she is within striking distance when they straighten she should be fairly hard to beat. (2) SPLIT THE FAITH should lead this and with the rail out 18m she should give them all something to catch. The query is whether she'll run out the 1700m. (5) SAXABELLE ran well first up and if she gets any luck from a tricky gate she'll go close. (8) CARLIA had the run and won well last start. From barrier 1 she should get all the favours in running again.
Numbers - 1, 2, 5, 8
Suggested Bet -None recommended

RACE 3 - PR PUNTERS CLUB HANDICAP 1700m
No. 1 CARNIOLAN - Another fairly open race. I think (1) CARNIOLAN is the most promising horse in the event and provided he can jump well and make use of his gate I think he'll be fairly tough to beat. He had no luck at his first couple of runs back from a spell and then was a deserved winner in midweek three-year-old company. His next couple of starts in a better class of race have both been solid. (6) TALK TO THE WALL was scratched from Saturday to be saved for this and it looks a smart option. He'll get a soft run from his good gate and looks to have good each way claims. (5) MOSSROY is a bit of tease however W Pike on is a plus, he's always a chance in this type of race. (11) REALE FURY flooded home last start which he can do. The rail out 18m probably won't suit his style but he's a definite chance.
Numbers - 1, 6, 5, 11
Suggested Bet - Carniolan each way

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED NURSERY HANDICAP 1200m
No. 11 FAIR EXCHANGE - This looks a good quality two-year-old race with some nice types engaged. I'll speculate on the Albie Beckett trained youngster, (11) FAIR EXCHANGE who is the half sister to his Group 1 winner, Megatic. Her trials have been very good and she gets the services of W Pike. (12) MAGNIFISIO trialled well leading up to her debut and she put in a good display after getting caught wide throughout. She's certainly a big chance particularly if she can find the front. (3) PROFOUND EFFECT is a nice type. His debut was very good and then he pulled up shin sore in the Supremacy Stakes. If he had drawn a good gate he would have probably been my top pick. (2) CHOISIME has run well at both his two career starts and will really appreciate the step up 1200m.
Numbers - 11, 12, 3, 2
Suggested bet - None recommended

RACE 5 - PR MIDWEEK ROAST PACKAGE HANDICAP 1400m
No. 5 JUNGLE ROVER - This looks an even race and a lot will come down to luck in running. I'll go for some value and tip the former eastern stater, (5) JUNGLE ROVER. He got a mile back on his WA debut, found trouble in running but still finished off nicely. From barrier 2 he should position up closer and he gets the services of the experienced apprentice, Jordan Mallyon. (1) HIGHWAY TRADER is never an easy horse to catch but he does appear to have solid claims in this. He comes out of the same race as my top pick and his run in that was good. (9) WHEELS OF FIRE ran a career best last start and W Pike takes the mount. (10) AJEXIA could be the big improver. He has a very good second up card, including a win last preparation beating the talented Strawberry Beau.
Numbers - 5, 1, 9, 10
Suggested Bet - Jungle Rover each way

RACE 6 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1400m
No. 4 MIA CHINA DOLL - Good quality three-year-old race. I suspect that most punters will isolate this to (3) FANICIO and (4) MIA CHINA DOLL. On the basis that rail is out 18m and (4) MIA CHINA DOLL is expected to lead I'll put her on top. She has been dominant in both wins and will take a stack catching again. (3) FANICIO is a smart galloper. His debut win was huge and he settled too far back last start and also got his tongue over the bit. The tongue tie goes on and he should be the one emerging from the pack to challenge the leader in the straight. (2) CALIFORNIA DUDE is an honest three-year-old who just lacks a killer blow. He always has each way claims in these events. Next best (1) ACCRUAL who has been disappointing in his two runs in the state but he should get all the favours in running.
Numbers - 4, 3, 2, 1
Suggested Bet - Back one save the other if possible

RACE 7 - TABFORM HANDICAP 1000m
No. 8 IT'S A MERC - I'm happy to play here as I think (8) IT'S A MERC should be hard to beat. He was good when resuming from a spell, doing plenty of work, giving a big kick and getting zapped by a swooper late. He should sit right over the speed and prove the one they need to run down. (3) DON'T DOUBT BUSTER is racing very well this preparation and he'll settle down just behind the speed and will be strong late. (1) BIZET, well he's just Bizet......... (10) ESTRALLA resumes from a spell and has had the benefit of a soft trial.
Numbers - 8, 3, 1, 10
Suggested Bet - It's A Merc each way if possible

RACE 8 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1200m
No. 7 BLACK ROMEO - A good race this with plenty of depth. I'm going to forgive (7) BLACK ROMEO for his last start when he got back in running, raced greenly and never got into the race. If you go on his first up win when he stormed home at Pinjarra then he has solid each way claims. There does appear to be good speed in the event which will assist his racing style as well. (1) ANSHAN is a consistent galloper who resumes from a spell. He'll sit handy and give a good kick home. If (16) BUSTER'S EMPIRE gains a start I think he has a chance at odds. His debut back in January behind Pass The Magic was good and he should get a pie run from his gate. (5) BIG CLINT continues to burn the punters and he'll probably do the same again.
Numbers - 5, 1, 3, 11
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 9 - PR CORPORATE MEMBERS HANDICAP 1200m
No. 7 RUBITAWNY - They've certainly saved the best for last as it looks a cracking race to finish the day with a number of Saturday class gallopers engaged. (7) RUBITAWNY is all class and despite the fact she's first up for 42 weeks I think she'll take a stack of beating. In her first preparation she went from winning a maiden at her second start to being a dominant Saturday winner at her fourth start. If she can make use of barrier 1 and position up handy she'll take a lot of holding out with clear galloping room. I've always had an opinion of (1) VERMEER and he came of age last preparation, running some vey unlucky races in town until he deservedly posted a big victory in his last run before a spell. He trial win was very soft and I expect him to be very strong late. (4) SUMMER SWALLOW is ready now. She was very good last start behind Verscene. The blinkers go on and so does W Pike. (11) JUST A NOBLE was scratched at the gates at his most recent outing. His first up win was dominant and if he repeats that he's in the mix.
Numbers - 7, 1, 4, 11
Suggested Bet - Rubitawny win