Races

Michael Heaton’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

MANDIBLE MAGIC ran third to subsequent winner Slip The Jab (whilst beating home two-time subsequent winner Roaming America) first up then broke through with a soft win last time out. Her win was more than 6L slower than Roaming America’s division on the same day but it still looked strong enough to suggest she could take the next step in a C1. ETERNAL WINE drops back to 1000m after being unable to reel in the leader on a heavily on-speed day last start. She was a winner 2 starts back when dropping from 1200m to 1000m with blinkers on and might be a more effective short-course filly for the time being. SHE’S CAPITANA resumes without a trial for Pike and Durrant which naturally catches the eye. She looked a work in progress last preparation and knocked off the smart Don’t Declare in her maiden win. ARTIE’S ECLIPSE ran well first up at this track, grade and distance.

Numbers: 2-1-3-4

Suggested Bet – MANDIBLE MAGIC WIN

RACE 2

FINADO has been solid at his first 2 runs back and has drawn a better gate to work with now. He should bounce on-speed on a day where that is likely to be the place to be and prove hard to get past. FREE TO FLY looked good in a recent trial win and should get the run of the race for Pike. She comes out of far stronger races last campaign and almost every horse who beat her home has since won. JOLSON AL debuts off the back of a nice trial win and looks a natural jump-and-run type. JOYOH resumes without a trial and will be better suited over the further but looks the one who will be finishing strongest late.

Numbers: 2-10-5-9

Suggested Bet – FINADO WIN

RACE 3

WILUNA LASS looks hard to beat. Last preparation she defeated subsequent Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic runner-up Ninetymilestraight first up in a stronger 3YO 0MWLY off the back of a sharp 400m trial win and she’s had the exact same lead up ahead of her resumption in a C1 this time in. She stopped the clock in a slick 00:23:78 in her recent trial, looks the likely leader for Holly Nottle and her last-start narrow placing to Pingers before a spell only enhances her form with that mare winning 3 of her next 4 starts (including a Saturday Graduation and 66+). ORDER ONLINE will get back but he’s capable of reeling off sharp late sectionals and the small field with good speed engaged could suit. ACORN resumes without a trial and can be his (and his rider’s) own worst enemy with his fierce racing style but he has a motor. Being drawn outside of the speed is likely a positive for him. DOOR BUSTER is another who resumes and has natural ability but it looks an awkward setup for him being drawn outside of a fair amount of speed here.

Numbers: 3-2-1-4

Suggested Bet – WILUNA LASS WIN

RACE 4

PONY UP is 60 days between runs and won first up off 67 days last preparation. He covered ground and stuck on nicely in recent trial, was racing very well prior to his freshen up and should bounce on-speed for an in-form stable. TRULY GALLANT hasn’t had much go right at his first 2 runs back and looks as though he’s crying out for more ground and a stronger tempo. He gets both of those here and will be doing his best work late. SKY RIVER is only coming out of York racing and has hind bar plates going on but should either lead or box seat for Natika Riordan and both of her career wins to date are over 1600m. SAXON JEWEL looks a query at 1600m but gets Holly Nottle in the saddle and has the natural speed to work across from her tricky draw.

Numbers: 5-2-7-6

Suggested Bet – PONY UP WIN

RACE 5

FIREARM ran a fast-finishing third to subsequent Supremacy Stakes-winning filly Aurum Belle on debut then started favourite at her next outing when doing everything wrong pre-race before placing again. He now drops 2kg, finds an easier assignment and should get a sweet run from his better alley. PROPERATA was a good run last start when crossing to the breeze from the outside draw and sticking on for a close second. He can do the same here in a race with a surprising lack of juvenile speed engaged. DIXIE DOO has found the line strongly at her last 2 outings and looks ready to win one but she’s likely to have to go back again which will make things tricky. SHENTON ROAD has put in back-to-back flashing light runs in all-age maidens at her last 2 starts and now drops back into her own age group. She’s a month between runs and is 1400m back to 1200m which isn’t ideal but she has a sharp turn of foot.

Numbers: 2-1-8-9

Suggested Bet – FIREARM WIN

RACE 6

RALLY THE TROOPS has been flying without luck lately and is screaming out to win another race. He’s been held up at 3 of his past 4 runs and made big late ground when reeling off strong late splits in his other outing. He’s now back in grade, drops 3kg and only needs a trouble-free run to be hard to hold out late. SUCCESS PLAY found the front and gave a lot of cheek last start. He’s now back to 1400m but should be able to roll forward again and he’s suited at this level. PLAYING GAMES has been sectionally very good at her first 2 runs back. She looks better suited stepping up to 1400m and should be able to settle a bit closer in running from a more favourable draw. MORE THAN ENUFF resumes and is a consistent type but has a sticky map to overcome from an awkward alley.

Numbers: 5-11-6-8

Suggested Bet – RALLY THE TROOPS WIN

RACE 7

CHEYNE BAY won in this grade a fortnight ago when brilliantly ridden by ZJP and he looks set to get an identical speed map here. He hasn’t run a bad race this prep and has found another winnable assignment. TAHNI TALK is a lightly-raced 3YO on trial over the staying journey but he’s been impressive at both starts this campaign and could be on a Derby path. He stuck on well to finish third to the progressive Sentimental Legend after enduring a tough run last start and this is far easier than what the Melvista Stakes will be on Saturday. ETERNAL ROMANCE is another consistent type and she’s going well enough to win this but she’s had every chance at her past 2 outings and looks destined to do it tough from a sticky gate this time around. ROYAL SPLENDOUR had excuses last time out and was a winner at this track, grade and distance the start prior.

Numbers: 1-7-11-3

Suggested Bet – CHEYNE BAY WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,2,5,6,7

1,2,8,9

1,5,6,8,11

1,3,7,11

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