2017 Belmont Classic Day has drawn a typically smart group of horses to eight races on Saturday afternoon; the headline race card in Perth this weekend.
Western Temple will sport the famous colours of Bob Peters (pictured on Delicacy) in Saturday’s Belmont Classic. Photo: Jenny Barnes
Classy fields have been confirmed for all eight races on Belmont Classic Day and we have analysed every horse in each, in order to help you find a winner.
Belmont Classic Day will begin with the running of the Toll Handicap (1200m) at 12:43pm local time, while the feature race is slated to run at 4:25pm.
Race 1 (12:43pm) Toll Handicap (1200m)
Seven horses have been confirmed in the final field for Race 1 on Belmont Classic Day, including Recoiled (barrier 3). Recoiled returned to the races for a smart third in the D’Orsogna BM72 (1000m) on June 24th and will only improve, with a race-low 54kgs. Former Victorian Just Magical (barrier 5) ran a credible third in the Perth Racing Twitter BM78+ (1200m) first-up on June 24th and will also improve, while The Celt (barrier 1) should find no issue in taking up the running from the rails draw and should be left alone on pace. Candlelight Star (barrier 2) has steadily built to the task this time and should be ready to peak in form.
Tip: No. 1 Just Magical ($5)
Race 2 (1:23pm) Vale Roy Leonhardt Handicap (1000m)
An open field of nine has been confirmed for Race 2 and there is several live chances amongst this group. Atacama Sky (barrier 3) failed to make much of an impression through the Perth summer, but has trialled well and is ready for a smart first-up showing in this race. Snow Lord (barrier 7) failed to fire last start, but has produced a number of impressive performances and results this time and is a leading contender once more on Saturday. Santiago Girl (barrier 5) has shown plenty of ability at lesser grades and is not without a chance here at odds, while Imperial Venus (barrier 6) carries winning form into the race, but also steps in to Saturday grade.
Tip: No. 2 Snow Lord ($3.10)
Race 3 (2:03pm) James Boag’s Premium Plate (1000m)
Race 3 on Belmont Class Day has drawn a number of talented horses, including Danes Maree (barrier 11). The Flying Pegasus filly has posted two seconds and a win, highlighted by her last-start five length triumph over 1000m at Belmont. My Demi (barrier 1) will resume from a spell, but was strong and consistent amongst notable company last season and is not without a chance. Wacked Out (barrier 3) won the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m) in March and resumes following a smart trial, while stable mates Turbo Power (barrier 2) will also resume, but may require a run. Cognac (barrier 5) ran a strong third at Belmont last weekend, where he was only pipped on the line.
Tip: No. 8 Danes Maree ($2.40)
Race 4 (2:38pm) Tabtouch Handicap (1000m)
Race 4 of is one of the most open of the day at Belmont from a betting perspective and there is a case to be more for nearly every horse in the field. Veteran Bells Tower (barrier 2) has returned to racing in strong and consistent form this time and has the notable advantage of William Pike in the saddle on Saturday, while Vandemonian (barrier 10) worked home well to finish sixth in the Kings Troop Plate (1000m) following a tough early run and will only improve into this race. Dutch Spy (barrier 6) has trialled well leading into this race and is drawn to get a great run in transit, while Spiritual Eyes (barrier 5) faces a big step up in class and will need to improve if any chance of a first three finish.
Tip: No. 3 Bells Tower ($5)
Race 5 (3:15pm) Auto Classic BMW Handicap (2200m)
Jetoomy (barrier 12) was barely tested when he comfortably won a similar race to the Auto Classic BMW Handicap last time out and is undoubtedly the horse to beat here. The Reset gelding has been outstanding this season, but he will require some early luck from the outside gate. Gangbuster has only been fair this time in, but is drawn and weighted will in this race. Queen Of Tease (barrier 6) relished the heavy conditions at her last start and should again enjoy was it likely-to-be a soft Belmont track on Saturday. Danehills Daughter (barrier 2) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and cannot be ignored.
Tip: No. 2 Jetoomy ($2.30)
Race 6 (3:50pm) JJ Richards & Sons Handicap (1400m)
There is plenty of winning potential in Race 6 on Belmont Classic Day and it is subsequently an open race from a betting perspective. Slick Mover (barrier 12) has been outstanding this time in, but will require some luck after drawing awkwardly. The He’s A Decoy gelding was a dominant winner at his two most-recent appearances and his class is sure to count for plenty here. Chasing Chaos (barrier 5) has been strong and consistent and has drawn ideally into this field to get a good run just behind the pace. Fire Detonator (barrier 13) is somewhat unsure on heavy going, but has been racing well and is not without a chance at the grade. Bevel (barrier 13) has gone amiss at his two most-recent starts, but is more than capable in this company, if he brings his best on race day.
Tip: No. 4 Chasing Chaos ($4.60)
Race 7 (4:25pm) Listed Belmont Classic (2200m)
The feature race has drawn thirteen classy stayers to Belmont on Saturday afternoon and there is several winning chances amongst the field. Gatting (barrier 11) carries dominant winning form into the race and should prove extremely tough to beat under the conditions. He should find a good position behind the early pace from a wide draw and will be tough to beat on soft. Western Temple (barrier 1) got into all sorts of trouble in the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) a fortnight ago, but still managed to run on for second and represents terrific value at current Belmont Classic odds. Elegant Blast (barrier 4) worked home well in the Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m) a fortnight ago and is drawn ideally, while Oaks winner Fontainbleau (barrier 7) is also primed for another big run.
Tip: No. 2 Western Temple – Each Way ($6.50/$2.10)
Race 8 (5:00pm) Juicebox.com.au WinnersInDigital Handicap (1600m)
The final race on Belmont Classic Day has drawn some of Perth’s best milers, including Ripper Rio (barrier 10) and Luke’s Gold (barrier 6). Ripper Rio ran on well for fourth last time out following a freshen-up and will only improve into this race, particularly with William Pike in the saddle. Luke’s Gold has posted two wins and a close second this time and is drawn and weighted for success again in this race. War God (barrier 8) has been strong and consistent this time, will relish a step up to a mile and will enjoy soft going, while The Forgotten One (barrier 7) should take wholesale benefit from his first-up run and is drawn to get another good run off the pace from a central barrier.
Tip: No. 7 Luke’s Gold ($5)
