2016 Belmont Sprint Betting Tips
Belmont Sprint 1400m – Group 3
Racing from the West is headlined by the Group 3 Belmont Sprint on Saturday, which sees some of the state’s best line up over the 1400m.
Perth is set to be hit by a decent amount of rain on Saturday, with up to 10mm of rain predicted. With the track currently rated a Soft 5, it’s likely we could see a downgrade on Saturday.
The pace in the race looks fairly good, though Perth racing is known for the farcical tempo the jockeys set most of the time. With the likes of Resonates, Fuschia Bandana and Magnifisio involved, however, the tempo could be fairly strong here. Hazzabeel also has the capability to go forward, but we saw him ridden cold last start so it will be interesting to see the tactics Harvey employs on him from the wide barrier.
Battle Hero should get the run of the race from barrier 4. Wink And A Nod has been ridden both back in the field and up on speed so from barrier 1 she may try to be up closer to the speed. Checkpoint and Countryman will try to slot in somewhere in midfield but may have to be content with a 3 wide position from out wide.
Itsahymn returns to WA after a couple of unsuccessful campaigns in Melbourne. He will settle in midfield for worse from barrier 8, along with the champ Luckygray who draws well in barrier 6. Mr Utopia, Balmont Girl and Gris Caro will settle towards the back of the field.
There are 6 genuine contenders to win this race: Luckygray, Battle Hero, Hazzabeel, Magnifisio, Wink And A Nod and Fuschia Bandana. Mr Utopia is the blowout.
Luckygray returned from a lengthy spell in the Roma Cup and ran on well to be beaten only a length in 3rd. He will undoubtedly strip fitter here but the concern for him will be the wet track, where he’s had three starts for no placings. He does have an imposing record of 5 wins from 7 starts at the track, however.
The money came for Battle Hero in the Roma Cup and he landed some good bets. He is undefeated at the track and the step up to 1400m should be no disadvantage to him. From the good draw he will get the run of the race which makes him very tough to overhaul based on last start. He’s had one start on wet ground for a 2nd placing.
Hazzabeel was an unlucky 4th i the Roma Cup after being held up until the 100m mark. He comes into this second up where he has won 2 from 3, but barrier 12 makes his job very tough. It will be interesting to see if he is ridden cold or decides to go forward. He’s another with a good record at the track with 3 wins from 5 starts, and the step up to 1400m suits him.
Magnifisio went down as favourite in the Roma Cup. There weren’t many excuses for her and I find it difficult to see her turning the tables on Battle Hero, though the 1400m may suit her better given she’s never finished outside the top 2 in five previous starts at the distance. Slight query over whether she will handle the wet.
One horse who certainly will handle the wet is Wink And A Nod, who has 4 wins and a second placing from 5 starts on rain affected tracks. She is worse off at the weights from her last start defeat to Magnfisio but the ground brings her right into this. She will need luck from barrier 1.
The two blow outs could be Fuschia Bandana and Mr Utopia. Fuschia Bandana was very unlucky behind Magnifisio at Northam first up and has three wins from five starts when second up. From the good draw she will get a good run up on speed and could give a good sight, but the unknown is the wet track. Mr Utopia returns from Melbourne and has his first start back from a spell. He has 3 wins from 6 starts first up and has two wins on wet tracks. He also has 3 wins from 5 starts at the track, so certainly can be competitive here.
Tough race with several good chances. The wet ground may be the telling factor here.
1st Battle Hero
2nd Wink And A Nod
3rd Hazzabeel
4th Magnifisio
Trifecta: 3, 11 / 1, 3, 7, 9, 11 / 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12
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