Play it again Sam, we’re back at Belmont this Saturday for nine of the best in the west!
The rail returns to the true position, and we’ve been blessed with fine weather, so we’ll be racing on a Good surface.
We saw them like watermelons last Saturday so hopefully that continues this week with our offering below.
Race 1 - 2:14PM AEST
No Metro Wins Last Year Handicap (1000 METRES)
Oregon Hiker (2) has come back this preparation in fine style, beginning with a solid effort first-up when chasing home Pin Deep for a length second at Pinjarra.
The five-year-old gelding came to town last start and led from start to finish over this course and distance, digging deep late to win by a neck.
He meets several of those same horses and he’ll strip fitter third-up.
Luke Campbell, who claims 1.5kg, can drive forward and take up a prominent position.
1 Unit – Oregon Hiker (2)
Race 2 - 2:49PM AEST
3YO Open Plate (1000 METRES)
Queen Of Hawks (7) debuts here following four trials across two preparations.
The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained filly looks ready for a bold showing following her most recent 950m Lark Hill trial where she was ultra impressive.
She showed good speed to cross and find the front before putting a gap in her rivals in the straight to win under a hold by 4.3 lengths.
Blinkers go on for the first time signaling intent and we should see William Pike make full use of the inside barrier and drive forward.
1 Unit – Queen Of Hawks (7)
Race 3 - 3:24PM AEST
BM66+ Handicap (1000 METRES)
Sinful Living (4) gave a good sight first-up but just couldn’t get past the leader and finished a neck second over this course and distance.
The daughter of Safeguard was then sent out a $1.50 favourite over this course and distance and didn’t let her backers down leading all the way to an impressive 2.8 length victory.
She’ll be at peak fitness and did win her only previous third-up race which was over 1100m at Ascot in January.
William Pike is back in the saddle and should give his mount the run of the race from the inside gate.
2 Units – Sinful Living (4)
Race 4 - 3:59PM AEST
BM72+ Handicap (1400 METRES)
Desert Nymph (2) recently won three races in a row including an impressive showing over 1300m here in this class where she charged home to defeat Sentimental Belle and Otheroneson.
Unfortunately, the daughter of Rommel’s winning run came to an end last start when she came out a few lengths behind the field over this course and distance before savaging the line to finish 1.6 lengths third.
She loves racing at Belmont and gets the services of Lucy Fiore who is undefeated in two previous rides on her.
There looks to be good speed in the race which will suit and should see her enjoy a nice midfield run.
1 Unit – Desert Nymph (2)
Race 5 - 4:39PM AEST
BM84+ Handicap (1600 METRES)
Vast Art (4) caught the eye last start in the Farnley Stakes and has to be a leading player based on the effort.
The son of Flying Artie settled back after drawing the outside barrier and wasn’t suited by the lack of speed in the race, but to his credit he charged home to finish a half-length fourth.
He’ll be at peak fitness now and will love rising to a mile given he has never been out of the top three in five starts over the trip.
‘The Hyphenator’ Clint Johnston-Porter has a great association with him and will give him every chance.
2 Units – Vast Art (4)
Race 6 - 5:20PM AEST
One Metro Win Handicap (2200 METRES)
I Love Your Smile (1) is on the quick back-up after a slashing run over 1600m here last Saturday.
The Brandon Fiore-trained Sebring mare was held up in the straight, but Lucy Fiore carved a passage through the ruck to hit the line hard and finish 1.7 lengths third.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and has won at her third run back before.
Over the longer journey, Fiore should be able to slide across from the outside barrier and settle closer in the run.
1 Unit – I Love Your Smile (1)
Race 7 - 6:00PM AEST
No Metro Wins Last Year Handicap (1600 METRES)
Great Fortune (10) doesn’t have a great record over this distance but he’s racing in the form of his life so I’m happy to give him another chance.
The David Harrison-trained grey gelding fought bravely first-up over 1300m here, but condition gave out after spending 62 weeks in the paddock and he finished a very nice 1.1 length fourth.
Despite racing three-wide the trip last start over 1400m at Bunbury, he produced plenty in the run home to win by a neck.
He draws to get a much better run here and importantly gets his preferred dry surface and William Pike in the saddle.
1 Unit – Great Fortune (10)
Race 8 - 6:40PM AEST
BM66+ Handicap (1600 METRES)
Simply (8) can turn the tables on In Good Order after finishing a head second to that horse last start over this course and distance.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding was forced to settle back after drawing an outside barrier and then was forced wider on the turn than his rival, but to his credit he was taking ground off the winner quickly in the closing stages.
He now meets In Good Order 1.5kg better at the weights and will strip fitter third-up.
William Pike should be able to give him a better run than last start from a reasonable draw.
1 Unit – Simply (8)
Race 9 - 7:20PM AEST
One Metro Win Handicap (1200 METRES)
King Akeed (6) settled back last start over this course and distance and worked home well in restricted room to finish 1.7 lengths fourth.
The start prior, the Michael Grantham-trained gelding enjoyed a great run before letting rip in the straight to easily win over 1100m at Northam.
That was the first time in his four race starts that he drew a decent barrier and was able to settle in a prominent position.
That should be the case here from barrier 2 which will give the ‘Wizard’ William Pike an excellent chance of sending us home a winner in the last.
1 Unit – King Akeed (6)