Belmont Racecourse in Perth is the scene of an outstanding day’s racing on Saturday, highlighted by the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m).
Disposition will step out in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes at Belmont on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Some of the best horses trained in the nation’s west will step out for races on 2017 Hyperion Stakes Day and we have analysed each race and runner in detail, in order to help you find a winner.
The action on 2017 Hyperion Stakes Day is set to get underway with the running of the Penfolds Plate (1000m) at 11:53am local time, while the feature race will be run and won at 3:45pm.
Race 1 (11:53am) Penfolds Plate (1000m)
Ten two-year-olds will take to the barriers for Race 1 on Hyperion Stakes Day; the Penfolds Plate. Pearl Trade (barrier 7) will return to competition in the race, but has trialled extremely well in the lead-up to the race and should prove tough to beat. Cognac (barrier 5) carries winning form intot he race and has drawn into this field ideally, while Caress Your Soul (barrier 9) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from her first-up third at Northam and has the notable advantage of William Pike in the saddle. Thunderstrut (barrier 6) will also resume in the race but should find a handy position close to the early pace from a good draw.
Tip: No. 7 Caress Your Soul – Each Way ($7.50/$2.60)
Race 2 (12:33pm) Perth Racing Young Membership Handicap (1600m)
A talented crop of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Race 2 and a case can be made for more than half the field. Geiger Gem (barrier 6) has been charged with carrying the 60kgs topweight, but has found strong and consistent form this time in and should be right in the finish of the race. Kimbo’s Girl (barrier 2) has finished close at her two most recent starts and should receive a lovely trail into the race from an inside draw, while Double Digit (barrier 3) could receive the run of the race from one alley wide. Show Honey has posted two wins from as many starts this time and will be partnered by leading hoop William Pike once more in this race.
Tip: No. 9 Show Honey ($2.50)
Race 3 (1:13pm) TAB Touch Handicap (2100m)
Some of Perth’s more consistent Saturday horses will line up for Race 3 on Hyperon Stakes Day, including Respondent (barrier 3). The veteran has been charged with carrying 61.5kgs, but has drawn ideally and has steadily built to the task this time in. Stable mate North Ridge (barrier 2) has found excellent form this season and should prove tough to beat under the conditions of this race, while Rosewood Hill (barrier 7) will carry winning form into the race after a smart win at Belmont last weekend. Dark Muscat (barrier 9) is yet to find peak condition this time, but is weighted well and represents value as an each-way chance in betting markets for this race. My Magic Miss (barrier 1) beat a field similar to this one at Belmont a fortnight ago and should again prove tough to beat here.
Tip: No. 5 Dark Muscat – Each Way ($10/$3)
Race 4 (1:53pm) Kirin Megumi Handicap (1200m)
An open field will line up for the Kirin Megumi Handicap and the race subsequently represents plenty of value from a betting perspective. The combination of trainers Grant and Alana Williams, jockey William Pike and owner Bob Peters has delivered several outstanding wins this season and that could occur once more on Saturday when Presentatie (barrier 5) steps out on this race. The Showcasing mare returned for a luckless seventh a fortnight ago and will relish a step up in distance on Saturday. Main dangers include the consistent Sweet Ora (barrier 3), last start winner The Celt (barrier 6) and Lockroy (barrier 2).
Tip: No. 7 Presentatie – Each Way ($6.50/$2.40)
Race 5 (2:29pm) Amelia Park Lodge Handicap (1000m)
Scalpel returned to the races for a smart win in a Belmont sprint over 1000 a fortnight ago and while stepping up in grade, is undoubtedly the horse to beat in this race. Belter (barrier 9) will resume in the race, but undoubtedly has the class to be right in the finish, while I Am Incredible is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from her first-up second a fortnight ago. Yeah Dardy (barrier 4) carries winning form into the Amelia Park Lodge Handicap, is drawn ideally in her barrier and is another horse that is sure to be boosted by William Pike in the saddle.
Tip: No. 5 Scalpel ($4.50)
Race 6 (3:05pm) Heineken Handicap (1400m)
Thirteen horses will contest Race 6 on Hyperion Stakes Day; the Heineken Handicap. Astronomite (barrier 11) has failed to fire this season, but will get plenty of weight relief in this race and is better than his odds suggest. Transversely, Dark Royalty (barrier 2) has returned to racing in excellent form this season and should again relish the conditions of this race, as a fifth point of call. Luke’s Gold carries winning form into the race but has been charged with overcoming the outside barrier, while horses like Grey Enigma (barrier 4), War God (barrier 8) and Baraki Beats (barrier 3) would not look out of place in the winner’s stall.
Tip: No. 5 Dark Royalty ($6)
Race 7 (3:45pm) Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m)
The feature race has drawn a typically strong field, however Group 1 winner Scales Of Justice (barrier 5) will probably prove too hard to beat. Winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and finishing second behind Stratum Star in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) in summer, the Not A Single Doubt gelding returned to the races for a smart second in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) a fortnight ago and will only improve under the conditions of this race. Disposition (barrier 8) worked to the line well to finish third in the Belmont Sprint and is probably the only real danger, while Pounamu (barrier 14), Battle Hero (barrier 3) and I’m Feeling Lucky (barrier 1) are all ready for big runs in the Hyperion Stakes.
Tip: No. 1 Scales Of Justice ($1.50)
Race 8 (4:25pm) James Boag’s Premium Handicap (1600m)
Sixteen horses will line up for the final race on 2017 Hyperion Stakes Day; the James Boag’s Premium Handicap. Travellin’ (barrier 4) has steadily built to the task this time and has drawn ideally into this field. Airlie Son (barrier 2) carries winning form into the race, but faces a notable step up in class, while Royal Attraction (barrier 15) also won last time out, but will need luck in transit to repeat that effort from a wide draw. Top Rated (barrier 16) has reportedly taken benefit from his first-up fourth at Pinjarra and while also facing a big step up in class into this race, is far better than his long odds quote suggests.
Tip: No. 12 Royal Attraction ($4.40)
