On The Money - Belmont Sprint Day

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Tue 4 June, 2013

Race 1:

Ignition was a decent drifter again for the second time in a row ($2.80 - $4.20), as was the eventual winner Testamezzo $3.20 to $3.50 in the first.  Crown Lawyer and Spin Da Wheels both eased out to double figures and Sheer Cosmic also drifted dramatically ($3 - $3.60). There wasnt too much damage inflicted on the bookies despite the favourite getting up in the first. 

Race 2:

Terminado ($6 - $4.20) and Dark Miss ($3.60 - $4 - $3.60) were the two they wanted in the seven horse field in the second. As would be the case all day for his runners, Neville Parnham's Black Magic Miss was a big drifter from $3.50 to $4.40, friendless in the ring. Sky Magic took a similar path ($3.40 - $4.60) and raced accordingly. The girl just went too hard on Terminado, leaving the race wide open for back marker Dark Miss. 

Race 3:

War Prince was crunched where as much as $2.60 was bet in early  markets, to close the warm $1.90 favourite. Baleen in Me was well supported and steady throughout at $3.60 and $3.70. There was specking for both Mirranina $18 - $12 and Bellaxena $31 - $21. The beautifully named Anhing Adingding was one of the bigger drifters you would see on a racetrack, $4.80 to $10. War Prince simply went to slow in front and allowed Baleen in Me to worry him out of it. Even so, roughie Bellaxena got over the short priced favourite, but no good news for the bookies here. 

Race 4:

Early favourite Even Astar was once again very easy in the ring from the Neville Parnham yard ($4.60 - $7). They came again for a Greg Kersley runner in When We Were Kings ($4.60 - $6 - $4). Secret Ruler was surprisingly easy ($5.50 - $7) with the in for  Dan Staeck in the saddle.  Catlantic was unwanted and Virtual Trader was well supported $4.80 - $4.40. Saxon Coast was specked from $41 to $21 and Dual City $7 into $6. When Staeck took the front on Secret Ruler, he was always going to be hard to beat. 

Race 5:

Willow Bridge was the big early drifter out to $8 before being pumped back into $5.50. Main rival Monumental was also heavily supported from $3.40 to $2.60 and the rest drifted as a consequence. Letthal Jones out to $8, California Valley ($11 - $18 - $15), Ready on time out to $10. There was specking for Scotland The Brave with Noske aboard ($51 - $21) but he could only manage fourth despite the positive riding change. Nor surprises here, the two they backed cleared out from the rest and gave the bookies something to think about. 

Race 6:

For the second week on the trot, Iseethingsyoudont was a big drifter. Starting at $2.30 in pre-post, he finished a $3.20 shot at start time and was pretty hard to lay. Uncle George was the subject of unprecedented support ($10 to $4.80). Given he had finished alongside several other unlucky runners from the same race, it was puzzling.  Let's Lighten Up was fancied again ($9 - $7) and The Blues ($11 - $10). Rantorini was specked from $10 - $7. Eventual winner Ten Aces was unwanted at $61 and New Time $26. Its rare that the bookies would cheer home a Jimmy Taylor runner but there were plenty cheering for this quinella. 

Race 7:

Another alarming drift here with Group 1 winner Playing God, opening close to the  top line at $4 and drifting to $10 without so much as a sniff. Its surprising that so many wanted to be on Ranger at the shorts ($3 - $3.30) but he had plenty of friends despite the drift. Waratah's Secret was specked from $16 to $12 but he was far from convincing, even though improved at his previous start. Kerrific and Amelia's Dancer were specked at just over double figures while Miss Tipsy Topsy had no friends at all. Zester was backed in from $17 in early markets to be steady throughout at $12. Kerrific, while no top liner, has forged a very handy record for himself, now with a Group 3 to his name. The lack of money was spot on with Playing God, the three time Group winner managing only 5th. 

Race 8:

The best was saved for the last for the bagmen. Ask Me Nicely was smashed from $8 to $4 from his wide barrier and managed to drop into the box seat with very little drama. Traded Halo was also specked from $7 to $6 but the drift on the hot early favourite, Galaxy Prince, was alarming. Opening at $1.85 (which was probably well and truly under the odds), he spiralled out of control finishing at $3 shot in the ring. But the telltale sign was on Betfair where they were betting plenty of $3.40 and $3.50 late in betting. Stay Lady Stay and Toned offered no resistance, drifting well beyond double figures. Dickens was specked from $51 to $21 but did nothing. 

2 Comments | 1 decade ago