Races

Michael Heaton’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

Tricky race with 7 of the 9 2YOs on debut. GENTLE TOUCH has only been seen once publicly so taking her on spec but loved the way she got to the line in her recent trial. She got back in a slowly-run heat which didn’t suit but she made eye-catching late ground to give the impression the 1200m first up will be spot on. FREE RIDE produced 2 solid runs through the summer and has the benefit of race experience over his rivals. BLUE TANG improved sharply in her second trial and should land in a prominent position here. FUGAKU is another recent trial winner and the 1200m looks a suitable kick off point for her.

Numbers: 8-1-6-7

Suggested Bet – GENTLE TOUCH WIN

RACE 2

Another tricky race with 6 of the 8 runners racing first up. WIN FOR BUSTER resumes without a trial but has always trialled well in previous preparations so hitting this 1000m event extra fresh could be by design. He’s been a costly commodity for punters to date but this is a suitable race for him and he should get a sweet run camped just behind the speed for the Pontiff. SUNSET SESSION is bred to swim and the only time he’s seen a soft track before he ran a nice second to Castle Road in a Saturday 3YO Plate. FLASH DANCER trialled up nicely but has an awkward map to overcome. PYGMALION typically goes best fresh.

Numbers: 3-4-1-2

Suggested Bet – WIN FOR BUSTER WIN

RACE 3

BEND IT LIKE BECKS has drawn the outside and is going to need a good steer but he looks ready to win. On debut he did his best work late to finish third over 1400m, second up he hit the line strongly after encountering some early traffic issues and the step to a mile now looks suitable for him. CANNOTSTOP got a bit keen over 1400m last start which makes the 1650m here a slight query but he’s going well. ENCHANTED MISS was stiff last start and the 450m rise in trip looks a positive. STAR ASSAULT reeled off good late sectionals off a slow tempo last start and she gets a similar race shape here but that was also her first placing from 9 starts.

Numbers: 2-1-10-9

Suggested Bet – BEND IT LIKE BECKS WIN

RACE 4

WRITTEN WORDS was heavily supported late in betting and jumped favourite first up but never really looked likely in what ended up a fast-run 1000m scamper. The blinkers came off that day but they go straight back on here, he won second up last campaign before placing to Watto’s Mark on a Saturday at his next start and he looks the map horse. SOLAR CHANT is a speedy filly who can run serious time. She looks the logical leader and will give them something to catch. BUSY FINGERS was good first up but this is a bit deeper and he has a sticky map to overcome with 60kg. ALEBRIJE’S last trial was a month ago but she showed enough last preparation.

Numbers: 5-6-1-7

Suggested Bet – WRITTEN WORDS WIN

RACE 5

SISTER MARY was up 600m to a staying distance for the first time in her career last start and couldn’t have been much more dominant. She pulled right away over the late stages, maps to get the same run here and whilst she’s now up in class, another forward showing over this trip could see her head to a Belmont Oaks in 17 days’ time. MAXWHOOSHTAPIN hit the line powerfully to finish only 2.5L off subsequent 66+ winner Startling Star in a Saturday Graduation last start and now drops sharply in grade. SHAULA is hard to catch but is usually around the mark at his level. POINTLESS PRAISE is ticking along okay.

Numbers: 7-1-3-8

Suggested Bet – SISTER MARY WIN

RACE 6

I’LL KEEP HALF was back in distance last start, settled a long way back in a hard-run race and made good late ground in a far better run than reads on paper. She’s now  back up in trip, drops in class and also drops to 53.5kg after Jefferson Tsang’s claim. ROCK IN WONDER is beautifully placed having raced in higher grade at his past 14 starts and whilst he’s a month between runs, he’s run well off similar spacings previously. REDRYE is racing well and looks close to another win. SAVVY RULER is up in grade, out to 2200m for the first time and has drawn the extreme outside but she appears to have upside.

Numbers: 7-1-6-8

Suggested Bet – I’LL KEEP HALF EACH-WAY

RACE 7

REMINISCENCE returned with an emphatic win first up and looks a colt with a fair amount of progressiveness. He should continue to improve as the distances increase and maps to enjoy the right run midfield-with-cover with a couple of his dangers behind him. MISS DEFIES ME is one of those after a smart debut win last preparation and a slashing first-up run this time in but she’s since been scratched and is a month between runs which isn’t ideal. MORF had no luck first up when posted deep but looks the likely leader here. SILENT ARMADA will likely get back and have to over-run a couple of handy types for C1 grade but his first 2 runs back have been very strong from a sectional perspective.

Numbers: 3-5-2-4

Suggested Bet – REMINISCENCE WIN

RACE 8

Open race. KING’S DRAMA got held up last start and finished less than 2.5L off the exciting Bassett Hound (subsequent winner) in Saturday Graduation grade. He’s done the majority of his racing over 1000m but is a previous 1200m winner and now drops back to a C3. TRIPLE THE CHANT races first up, no trial for Donna Riordan who can produce a fresh winner and has a proven track record with tried gallopers. Her last 5 starts have been in Saturday grade (including a Graduation win) so she’s a big watch. CONCHETTA’S DREAM is a consistent filly and is getting close to breaking through this preparation. CORNER OFF has hit the line very well at her past 2 and is another knocking on the door.

Numbers: 5-3-14-4

Suggested Bet – KING’S DRAMA EACH-WAY

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,3,7

1,6,7,8,11

2,3,5

1,3,4,5,13,14

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