Belmont will again play host to a nine race program this Saturday.
The Strickland Stakes will headline the card, with a field of nine to line up in the $200k Group Three feature.
The rail will be out 10m for the entire circuit and track is currently rated a soft 6.
We’ve had a close look at all nine events on the card and our thoughts can be found below.
Exceed The Planet debuted with an encouraging performance over 1200m here.
The son of Exceedance worked home nicely in his most recent trial and did everything right in his first raceday appearance.
He was strong through the line and the rise to 1400m looks ideal.
Pat Carberry goes onboard for Susan Olive and barrier four should see him afforded every chance.
1 unit – EXCEED THE PLANET
Devine Belief returns to the races.
The Playing God mare just had the three runs last campaign, kicking off with back to back victories before a solid third placing.
She’s worked through her grades will relative ease, saluting in five of her ten starts and the 1000m trip has proven to be her pet distance.
This looks a perfect first up assignment for her and she’s drawn nicely for Joe Azzopardi.
1 unit – DEVINE BELIEF
Rusty Dreams just held her ground to the line when resuming under the 60kgs here and she will have taken plenty of benefit from the run.
The talented mare was very impressive winning a 950m trial prior to her first up run so she appears to have returned in top order and she’ll relish stepping up in trip.
Whilst she does rise in grade, she’ll appreciate the 3kg drop in the weights and as a dual stakes winner over the mile, she looks well suited.
Chris Parnham has partnered her in all bar one of her raceday appearances, he stays onboard and will ensure she enjoys a soft run from the low draw.
1 unit – RUSTY DREAMS
Boab Boy resumed off a seven week let up with a solid effort over 1200m.
After settling outside the leader, the son of Sessions just peaked on his run late but will have taken plenty of benefit from the run.
The slight rise in trip will suit and he does perform well here.
Lucy Fiore has formed a good association with the gelding and she retains the mount for Brett Pope.
1 unit – BOAB BOY
Antique Miss is racing well and nearing a win.
The daughter of Domeday has continued to improve with each run and the rise to 1650m looks ideal.
She settled well back last time over the 1400m and then had to wait until the 200m mark to see clear air, where she charged late into second.
She’s got a great record over the mile, she races very well here and gets in nicely with the 2kg claim for Luke Campbell.
1 unit – ANTIQUE MISS
Bondi Bubbles returns to the races.
He was sent to the paddock on a high after putting together seven successive victories which culminated in taking out the Magic Millions WA Trophy.
The David Harrison gelding did take a few goes to score his maiden win but he did contest stakes races as his first two outings and had a tendency to overdo it.
He’s unbeaten in three starts over this trip and gets the advantage of the inside draw along with the 2kg claim for Luke Campbell.
1 unit – BONDI BUBBLES
Rockin’ Rupert didn’t have the best of luck last start when stepping up in grade.
The five year old son of Winning Rupert got back after jumping away awkwardly and his rider dropped the whip 200m from home, just as he started to make his run.
He’d won very well his start prior over 1200m at Ascot and will appreciate dropping back to similar company.
Keshaw Dhurun will do the steering for Sean and Jake Casey and take 1.5kgs off.
1 unit – ROCKIN’ RUPERT
Western Empire has been racing well and looks ideally placed here up to 2000m.
The Ifraaj gelding made it back to back Group Three wins before powering home last start over the mile.
A winner of nine races, he’s built a wonderful record and whilst this will be his first run over 2000m, he does have a WA Derby to his name, so we know that he has no trouble stretching out over a trip.
Pike stays in the saddle and the wide gate won’t worry him as he’ll get back and will be doing his best work late.
1 unit – WESTERN EMPIRE
Celebrity Prince was luckless last start over the 1200m here.
After getting back from the wide gate, he had nowhere to go for the majority of the straight and only got clear once it was all over.
Fitter for the two runs back, the step to 1400m looks suitable for this son of Xtravagant and he does race particularly well at this track.
Pike sticks with him, the good gate should see him settle closer in the run and he’ll appreciate the 3kgs drop in the weights.
1 unit – CELEBRITY PRINCE