Belmont 14/09/2019

Conditions

Rail – 5m
Track – Good 4
Forecast – Max 25, partly cloudy, chance of morning drizzle

Race 1 – Free Entry to Belmont Park Plate – 1400m – 12:03pm

Belle of Liberty looks to be a horse with some ability, and she should find the front here easily. My Fair Balentine showed a nice turn of foot and win last start, so there’s no reason she can’t win again. Rio Rogue’s trials were disappointing, but he’s been going better at the races and is third up here. Moama Rose seems to be improving with each run.
3 – Belle of Liberty
4 – My Fair Balentine
1 – Rio Rogue
6 – Moama Rose

Race 2 – TabTouch – Better Your Bet Handicap – 1600m – 12:38pm

Western Temple lost his rider last start so it’s hard to tell where he’s at this preparation, but his trials have been good. Friar Fox looks to have trialled well and had enough ability that her owners took her east last preparation. Taxagano’s last start was ok but he’s been performing very consistently before that. I would like to see Get Over It settle a little bit further forward.
2 – Western Temple
4 – Friar Fox
1 – Taxagano
7 – Get Over It

Race 3 – Ride Like A Girl Maiden – 1600m – 1:17pm

I’m going to give Osipova another chance because I think she could be a good each way value, plus Chloe is in form too. I think the step up in distance will benefit Jovella. Son of the Sun was third to My Fair Balentine last start which looks like good form to follow. Amillionite would have liked it if the track was softer, but she’s due for a win and has been racing consistently.
9 – Osipova
5 – Jovella
1 – Son of the Sun
4 – Amillionite

Race 4 – Colin Teede 80th Birthday Handicap – 1600m – 1:57pm

There’s no doubt that Cockney Crew has ability, but he could be needing the run first up. Trump This showed an impressive turn of foot and should be fit second up here. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he won. Locomotive is up in class but his two runs back this preparation have been very nice. Scintillating certainly likes to run on from the back and could perhaps be just one to watch.
1 – Cockney Crew
4 – Trump This
2 – Locomotive
7 – Scintillating

Race 5 – Bradley McGuinness 60th Birthday Handicap – 1600m – 2:37pm

Heavenly Affair is building a picket fence and she can definitely add to that here, with weight seeming like it’s not an issue. Next Stop the Moon should find the front and could give them something to run down. Blue Horse is a very consistent horse and showed a nice turn of foot two starts ago. Abby Lane would have liked a softer track but did win last start.
1 – Heavenly Affair
3 – Next Stop the Moon
7 – Blue Horse
2 – Abby Lane

Race 6 – Gladys & Bevan McInerney 70th Wedding Anniversary Handicap – 2000m – 3:18pm

Too Close The Sun is definitely a horse with ability and one to follow. Bunker Buster had a nice win last start coming off a good trial. Regent Star had a nice run last start and has been performing well. It wouldn’t feel like a top 4 without Mr Alby. He’s always there but can’t always get the chocolates.
5 – Too Close The Sun
2 – Bunker Buster
9 – Regent Star
1 – Mr Alby

Race 7 – Craig Norwell 50th Birthday Handicap – 1200m – 3:55pm

It’s hard to knock Procensent’s winning form (3:3-0-0). Grand Design ran 2nd to Proconsent last start and gets a 1kg swing. Colourful Chloe ran 5th behind Proconset last start and does get a 1.5kg swing. Bel My Pago has been racing well and with nothing really to complain about.
4 – Proconset
11 – Grand Design
10 – Colourful Chloe
7 – Bel My Pago

Race 8 – Farnley Stakes – 1400m – 4:30pm

Tellem We’re Comin has trailed very nicely, however, the wide barrier is a concern. Variation had a nice run last start and should be fitter second up here. Snowchino has incredible form but definitely a horse that would have preferred a softer track. Abdicator could be good value.
4 – Tellem We’re Comin
2 – Variation
12 – Snowchino
5 – Abdicator

Race 9 – Crown Perth Handicap – 1000m – 5:10pm

Stageman is performing consistently. He’s faced some very good horses, and this looks to be a slightly weaker race. Ice Maker will ensure there’s lots of speed in the races and he could be right up there. Citichant is racing well and nothing obvious to complain about. Danny George had a nice turn of foot and has won two out of three previous starts.
2 – Stageman
12 – Ice Maker
11 – Citichant
7 – Danny George

Best Bet

Race 9 – Stageman

Confidence rating

Spring has definitely sprung and the countdown to the carnival has begun! There’re some interesting races today and I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few upsets.