We’re back to Belmont in the nation’s west for another quality nine-race program on Saturday, highlighted by the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes.
The rail will be set out eight metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 1:17PM AEST – Westspeed Platinum Handicap, (1000m)
Snippy Miss has gone close at each of her first two starts back from a spell and she is ready to win on Hyperion Stakes Day.
The Snippeton mare didn’t show a lot last time in, but each of her two performances this time have been eye-catching, and she won’t be offered a better opportunity to win on a Saturday than this.
Race 2 – 1:57PM AEST – Free Entry To Belmont Park Plate, (1400m)
There’s virtually no form to divulge ahead of Race 2 and several debutants are prominent in betting.
I am happy to stay out of this one.
Race 3 – 2:37pm AEST – Dream Horse In Cinemas Handicap, (1400m)
The Spruiker will take winning form into the third at Belmont on Saturday and looks well placed to make it two in a row.
The Spruiker was a strong and consistent performer in similar races to this one last prep, and he picked up where he left off with a smart win when fresh.
He’ll enjoy plenty of improvement for that effort and the small rise in trip should suit.
Race 4 – 3:17pm AEST – Western Racepix Handicap, (1400m)
Secret Statue has returned two competitive efforts since resuming and is ready to win third-up on Hyperion Stakes Day.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding was consistent without setting the racing world on fire during his debut preparation, but a decent break looks to have brought him on, and he has placed in a couple of Class 3 contests this time.
Fitter again and under William Pike, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 5 – 3:57pm AEST – Glenroy Chaff Handicap, (1200m)
Puli has been charged with carrying a heavy topweight, but he just looks to be the best horse in this field and he can record another win.
The four-year-old son of Dick Turpin was a strong and consistent performer for the Darren Taylor yard and recorded four wins in succession in similar races to this one, most notably.
He beat some talented gallopers to the line last time and a repeat of that effort would surely just see him winning again.
Race 6 – 4:39pm AEST – Byron Bay Premium Lager Handicap, (1000m)
Panzdown has gone to another level this preparation and looms as the runner to beat again in Race 6 on Hyperion Stakes Day.
The three-year-old son of Panzer Division has missed placing just twice in ten career starts to date, and he is yet to taste anything but success in four starts back this time.
There are some classy gallopers engaged in this contest, but this horse is flying and I simply can’t look past him.
Race 7 – 5:15pm AEST – Crown Perth Handicap, (1600m)
The talented Aberdeen Queen will go around in the seventh at Belmont on Saturday and will take plenty of beating again.
Aberdeen Queen flashed home to win at Northam first-up from a spell last month and returned to metro company with a nice effort for third, beaten just over half a length by Magniforce here a fortnight ago.
She has been charged with carrying just 54.5kgs this week and I’m happy to stick with her.
Race 8 – 5:55pm AEST – Group 3 Hyperion Stakes, (1600m)
Almost every horse that you would expect to accept into the Hyperion Stakes field this year has, and I’m more than happy to stick with The Velvet King.
The Velvet King was a strong and consistent performer through this series of races in 2020, but he failed to make an impact in a short spring campaign on the east coast, under the care of Peter Moody.
Connections’ decision to return the horse west and to Darren McAuliffe paid immediate dividends when he comfortably won the Group 3 Belmont Sprint here a fortnight ago, and he will only improve for that effort, and out to a mile.
Race 9 – 6:35pm AEST – Amelia Park Handicap, (2200m)
Blackwater Bay looks to have found peak form, and he can record another win in the last on Hyperion Stakes Day.
The Blackfriars gelding tuned up with a couple of decent efforts to place in a pair of 1800m races at Ascot when resuming, and he has proved far too good at his last two starts.
With even luck in running, he can pull off the hat-trick.