On The Money - Belmont Classic 20th June

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Mon 22 July, 2013

The money was ordinary early on Belmont Classic Day, so much so that the early bookies result, failed to excite many of us due to the poor early holdings. The day did warm up later on however with the last few particularly competitive on the betting front. 

Race 1: 

King Closet was the big news in the first, drifting from $2.80 in prepost betting (which was well under the odds) out to $5 at start time. He was desperately unlucky to be beaten after sitting wide throughout. Academy Beau had friends ($6 - $5) after a good trial as did Woken ($14 - $10). Airglow ($11 - $9) was the other that had decent support while eventual winner Spin Da Wheels was steady throughout at $7 and $7.50. 

Race 2: 

It was the worst holding race of the day for me and the bolter got up at $101. November Red ($5 - $6), Elusive IMage ($9 - $14), Kim Ability($4 - $4.60) and Helena Miss ($10 - $14) were all easy in the market. The best money was for Duke of Vasac ($12 - $10) and First Flight ($6 - $5). Bedamijo loitered around the $5 mark throughout. 

Race 3:

On paper, Celebrity Miss was a special and I was surprised to see $2.50 posted in the first market on Thursday. That price didnt see Thursday night however and she was an even money shot on Friday night. After opening at $1.70, a little $1.80 was bet and Celebrity Miss won accordingly. Tiger Territory looked the main danger and was $6.50 and $7 throughout. Thanks to Media Alert winning the previous at $101, I was able to hold money about Daisy Boo ($151), a horse that genuinely had NO HOPE of finishing in the first 9. Some consolation I suppose for not holding much on the previous race. There was specking for Fleming Son ( $26 - $21) and I too thought he had a sneaky place chance, but he let us down again. 

Race 4:

It was starting to heat up and the three year olds always put on a good betting race. War Prince was specked at long odds ($14 - $10) but the one they really wanted was Flying Time with Harvey in the saddle. They backed him from $7.50 to $5 and took no prisoners. As a result, Not a Single Drop ($5.50 - $7), Ambers Hero ($6 - $8) and Virtual Trader ($4.60 - $4.80) all drifted. Danablue was posted a $10 shot when markets came out but was promptly specked into $6. There was no better than $5 available on raceday and he won like a good horse for Ben Pearce.

Race 5:

Malaika was unlayable in the fifth, wobbling from $4.60 to $6.50 and longer on Betfair. It was no surprise to see the saddle slipping and Malaika out of contention part way through the race. Ask Me Nicely ($9 - $5)was plunged, reminiscent of several starts back when they backed him to the exclusion of all others. He loomed into the race like a winner, but was overpowered to finish unplaced. Stay Lady Stay was also fancied and backed from $11 to $8 while Mantango ($6 - $7) and Master Robson $8 - $9) drifted slightly. 

Race 6:

While Dash For Home was hardly heavily backed ($7.50 - $6.50), it was a disaster for my book. I laid him heavily each way in the last minutes of betting. Tax A Million was steadily supported from $4.40 to $4 and Classitheatre was backed again from $10 to $7.50. Pattie Me Lass was specked at double figures, as were Akhedasset and Black Magic Miss. Stacks On, Recode and runner up Resetgold ($26) were unwanted in betting. Resetgold was an entirely different result for me, but he missed by a short head! 

Race 7:

It was a duel between Northpace and Summah's Touch in the betting ring. They had both won at their previous outings on the same day, and both impressively. Northpace opended at evens and got as far as $2.25 after $2.80 was bet pre-post. Kersley's runner was easy to lay and was into evens at start time. Summah's Touch got to $3.20 before moderate support back into $3. I laid good place bets about Nunca Te Rindas, Pants on Friar, Elle on Friar and Go Tiger, none of which could win but there was a placing available for one of them. When Summah's Touch settled in front of North Pace, the race was all but over. She's a stong mare and he was always going to battle to run over her. Another perfect ride by Ben Paterson. 

Race 8:

The last was one of the better betting races of the day. Platinum Rocker was a massive drifter, opening at $3 and sliding out to $4.40. I did manage to find a decent bet at that price however. Ten Aces ($12 - $18) and The Corporation ($8 - $14) were very easy for two horses with great exposed form. Keepers Court was also well thought of early , first up for Adam Durrant ($5.50 - $5 - $6) but drifted out late. True Gold ($7 - $5.50) and Will To Win ($13 - $10) were both easy to lay. Classique Ivory was steady around the $7 and $7.50 mark. Once again I was heartbroken in the last when Platinum Rocker held off The Corporation, a horse I had not laid for a penny on my book. 

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