Races

Michael Heaton’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

GENTLE TOUCH was an eye-catching trial in her only public appearance before her race debut where she couldn’t have gone much better given how slow they went up front. She made impressive late ground running the fastest last 400m and 200m sectionals of the meeting and she now gets Pike and a much better draw to work with. Hard to beat. RIFLEMAN debuts off the back of a nice trial win where he showed a sharp turn of acceleration. His sticky draw on paper could well end up a blessing with the rail out and cutaway in play. FORCE FIELD hit the line really when well beating Gentle Touch home on debut but likely gets a fair way back here. LUNAR SPARK was good first up, had excuses second up and now gets visors on at a more suitable distance.

Numbers: 12-7-2-9

Suggested Bet – GENTLE TOUCH WIN

RACE 2

SUPERB VINTAGE went around at $41 first up but was a great run when making good late ground in traffic to finish an unlucky fourth, beaten only a length. She turned the corner last preparation and gets a suitable setup here with a smaller field and the rail out which should allow her to steam home late. BRAVE WASP was good both first up and second up for the new yard then got a long way back in a race where the leader rocked along and broke their hearts last start. He now gets blinkers back on and should position up a bit closer. REFEMME NO ANGEL showed ability last campaign and was good through the line in her encouraging recent trials. COSMIC TREAT resumes off only a 400m trial but she looked sharp and could take up the running.

Numbers: 9-1-5-7

Suggested Bet – SUPERB VINTAGE EACH-WAY

RACE 3

Tricky race. ROCKING IN VEGAS is a 14-start maiden but he’s going particularly well at the moment and looks ready to pinch one. Each of his three starts this preparation have had merit to them and this looks a nice opportunity for him to wind up in the moving line and launch late. HANSELLE ran third to Special Counsel in a C1 two starts back before making good late ground to be beaten only 2L last time out. He’s getting closer to a win. VALANNE DAWN has struggled to break through but she was a really good run last week and now backs up off six days.  FLAVOURSOME hasn’t been far away of late.

Numbers: 1-6-10-11

Suggested Bet – ROCKING IN VEGAS EACH-WAY

RACE 4

GREAT PROMISE has been knocking on the door all preparation. First up she ran fourth to Lord Shiva (multiple Saturday placegetter since) in a C3, second up ran third to Sniper’s Son (won again since), third up ran second to Conducive (Saturday winner since) and last start she had every chance but couldn’t reel in Swansee. She can find the top this time around and give a good sight. BOOKENDS looked sharper with the addition of blinkers second up and Pike elects to stick with her over other options in the race. AJICITO trialled up well ahead of this preparation and got the money first up. She is versatile and has options. ACQUIRED TASTE made up a stack of ground to win first up, no trial and gets into this quite well after the claim.

Numbers: 1-4-3-2

Suggested Bet – GREAT PROMISE WIN

RACE 5

FRIAR’S LEGACY has been around the mark all preparation despite not winning and he’s looked most effective when ridden colder and attacking the line late. He chased home the progressive Common Touch last start and this race looks a suitable setup for him. ARTICOLE was a good effort first up when covering ground and knocking off subsequent winner Cosmo Ruler. He maps much more favourably here and looks a handy 3YO with more wins in store. LIGHT OF THE WORLD is an interesting runner as a 2YO maiden up against the older horses in a C1 but he trialled up well, was solid first up and now drops 3.5kg to carry only 53.5kg. SUPIDO EXPRESS is a 15-start C1 which tells the story but he’s still a model of consistency with placings at six of his past eight starts and he’ll likely roll forward to ride the speed.

Numbers: 1-3-8-2

Suggested Bet – FRIAR’S LEGACY WIN

RACE 6

CINQUE STELLE is a nice filly resuming. She won with the handbrake on at her debut last preparation before narrowly going under at $1.30 at her next start but she was turned straight out for a break after that and the winner (Kings Court) won three of his next four starts, including two Saturdays. She covered the ground nicely in her recent trial and looks a type with plenty of upside. SESH has drawn the cutaway which might not be ideal but he’s going really well at the moment and was a bit stiff last start. SILENT DIVA likely needs further but she trialled up well and should be doing her best work late. WRITTEN WORDS maps to get every chance again but he’s been a bit underwhelming at his first two starts back.

Numbers: 7-8-2-6

Suggested Bet –CINQUE STELLE WIN

RACE 7

SHIMONOSEKI is a mare in-form and she’s been really well handled by Justine Erkelens in her first preparation in her care. She has a sharp turn of foot for a miler, she stays in the same grade as her two wins this preparation and she still gets in with 57.5kg so she should prove hard to beat again. ROMANTIC RULER hit the line well two starts back then ran a great race when beaten less than a length in a 66+ last time out. He drops sharply in grade here and is suited by the rise in trip. PARTAY toyed with rivals when trolling to the top and dictating terms in a big maiden win over 1400m last start. He now steps straight to a C3 and is up 300m but he looks a 3YO with upside. FIVE DOWN is a frustrating horse to follow but he’s tracking along well and looks set to bob up at some stage soon.

Numbers: 4-1-3-7

Suggested Bet – SHIMONOSEKI WIN

RACE 8

CONCHETTA’S DREAM has had an awfully unlucky preparation after being held up at each of her four starts this time in. She’s now up 300m in distance in her first attempt past 1400m which is a natural query but she backs up off seven days, is screaming out to win a race and she should be suited winding up in the moving line late in the day. WESTERN MISS had excuses at her first two starts this prep then won with a leg in the air last time out. She looks a progressive filly who will take beating here. MYZOOM is a consistent type and has tactical versatility so she can be saved up for a strong finishing burst from the outside gate. CAPABLE ANGEL sat outside a hot speed and popped last start but they should go a lot steadier here and she gets Holly Nottle aboard for the first time.

Numbers: 6-7-5-8

Suggested Bet – CONCHETTA’S DREAM WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,3,8

2,4,6,7,8

1,3,4,7

5,6,7,8

240 combinations

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