Races

Michael Heaton’s Thursday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

ONE LAST RESORT resumes and has been scratched from Wednesday’s Ascot meeting in preference for this. He ran a fast-finishing second to gun stablemate and leading Karrakatta Plate contender Beatty at his last start in November, trialled up well recently and has the benefit of race experience whereas each of his main dangers are on debut. COS I AM is a $500,000 daughter of I Am Invincible purchased at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She knuckled down well to win her recent trial and should enjoy a sweet run. LUMINOUS LIL has shown ability at trials and looks the likely leader. COOL AZA BULLET covered ground in Cos I Am’s trial and stuck on well to finish third. She should enjoy the run of the race from her inside draw here.

Numbers: 1-5-8-4

Suggested Bet – ONE LAST RESORT WIN

RACE 2

BOUTIQUE BELLE strikes a winnable second-up assignment. She resumed in a high-rating 1000m Maiden where Roaming America defeated impressive subsequent winner Mama Says So and the step to 1400m against more moderate opposition looks suitable. JUST YES debuts off the back of an eye-catching trial where he finished off powerfully and was in front after the line. Like the look of him. SPELLBORN ran all the fastest closing sectionals when making good late ground first-up on an on-speed dominated day but likely settles back or wide again here. SHIMMERY STAR has been solid at big SPs at her first 2 runs back and might be able to roll forward in a race devoid of natural speed.

Numbers: 10-6-1-9

Suggested Bet – BOUTIQUE BELLE WIN

RACE 3

NICCIMOTA was narrowly beaten after breezing last start and has drawn to find the rail and lead here which is typically her most effective position. She won a Saturday Graduation on a soft-6 at this track, grade and distance last preparation and is beautifully placed staying in C3 company. WHO’S BENT had to work hard in far stronger company last start and wasn’t beaten far at the finish. He’ll likely settle outside of Niccimota in running and they’ll likely try to control proceedings from there. NEW TARGET comes from the same race as Niccimota when doing her best work late and she’s unbeaten 2 from 2 at the Belmont 1000m. CORNER OFF trialled up much better in her third trial and flies fresh as well as on wet tracks.

Numbers: 2-1-7-3

Suggested Bet – NICCIMOTA WIN

RACE 4

VIVALDA steps to 1400m for the first time but she’s been settling a lot better this preparation. She resumed in a high-rating 3YO Saturday race against the likes of Watto’s Mark/Swingman/Castle Road before chasing home the talented Shilling Lane and subsequent winner King’s Brew over 1200m last start and she should enjoy a soft run from her inside alley. FORGOTTEN SON has been screaming for more ground all preparation and the step to 1400m looks much more suitable for him. He’s finished off well at big prices lately and can play a part. GOLDEN CHATTER is still doing things wrong in running but he’s been solid at his first 2 runs back and can get a nice smother from his better alley here which should suit. MISS SANTA CORRS might settle a long way off them but she caught the eye in her trial following an 11-month lay-off and wasn’t disgraced in better company last prep.

Numbers: 14-7-6-10

Suggested Bet – VIVALDA WIN

RACE 5

FIFTH ESSENCE was brave at his first run off a 48-day freshen last start when working to the breeze in a fast-run race and sticking on to finish second to the progressive History Won’t Care (races at Ascot on Wednesday). He stays at the exact same track, grade, distance and even barrier here and is undefeated 2 from 2 on soft tracks. ZORBRIST ran a fast-finishing third in the same race 2 starts back then franked the form with a smart win last time out. He stays in the same grade and can win again. RECONNAISSANCE has been around the mark all prep and can settle a bit closer than his last start where they ran track-record time on the Scarpside. PETER GUNN set tongues wagging with an incredible first-up maiden win after somehow getting up after bombing the start by 7L and now steps straight to a C3.

Numbers: 1-3-5-6

Suggested Bet – FIFTH ESSENCE EACH-WAY

RACE 6

SNIPPY WHICH looks beautifully placed. He was a winner at this track, grade and distance 3 starts back and his 2 subsequent runs in 66+ Saturday grade behind the exciting Malletier have been sectionally brilliant. Hard to beat. SNOW GOD has had to a mountain of work in running at his first 2 starts back this prep and the map here doesn’t look any better for him but it’d be great to see him win at Paul Harvey’s first race ride for 20 months. Welcome back Pont! AARDVARK makes his WA debut as a former 2YO Listed winner at Flemington in February 2024. He hasn’t raced for more than 400 days but brings intrigue and maps to get the right run sat just off the expected hot speed. SHOWLAS resumes and is an ultra-consistent jump and run type.

Numbers: 1-5-4-7

Suggested Bet – SNIPPY WHICH WIN

RACE 7

SOVEREIGN SALUTE looks a handy type. His race debut effort when off the track throughout was huge, he was a smart winner second-up, was one of the runs of the day when hitting the line strongly on an on-speed day third-up and he held his own in a C5 last time out. He drops right back to a C1 here and just needs a touch of luck from his sticky draw to be right in the finish. KAT FIVE led throughout to break her maiden status then settled a lot further back than anticipated at her last start but was still able to reel off the fastest closing sectionals to run a nice third. She’s going great guns. AITCH MONTANA went much better last start and has options from her draw. BILLIONAIRE’S ROW let down nicely in a fast-run maiden win last time out.

Numbers: 1-8-9-2

Suggested Bet – SOVEREIGN SALUTE WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

6,7,10,11,14

1,3,4,5,6

1,4

1,2,8,9

200 combinations

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