2017 Belmont Oaks Day Preview & Tips

Belmont Racecourse in Perth is set to be the scene of an outstanding day’s racing on Saturday, highlighted by two black type races including the Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m).

The famous colours of prominent owner Bob Peters (pictured on Delicacy) will be in action at Belmont on Saturday. Photo: Jenny Barnes

The famous colours of prominent owner Bob Peters (pictured on Delicacy) will be in action at Belmont on Saturday. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Some of the best horses trained in the nation’s west will step out on Belmont Oaks Day and we have analysed each runner in detail, in order to help you find a winner.

The action is set to get underway with the running of the Freshman Sires Plate (1400m) at 12:38pm local time, while the first black type race, the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) will be contested at 3:45pm.

Race 1 (12:38pm) 2017 Freshman Sires Plate (1400m)

Eleven two-year-olds have been confirmed in the final field Race 1 at Belmont on Saturday, including two debutants; Noir De Rue (barrier 4) and Skinnen Tins (barrier 5). Salubrious (barrier 8) broke through for a maiden race win third-up and will be rock-hard fit leading into this race. Trackta (barrier 11) also won last time out and should prove tough to beat in similar conditions here, while Lob City is year to find his best this time in, but should be fit following three prior runs and has the notable advantage of William Pike in the saddle in the Freshman Sires Plate.

Tip: No. 3 Trackta – Each Way ($7.50/$2.45)

Race 2 (1:18pm) Awesome Rock Handicap (1400m)

It is an open field of eleven that has been confirmed for the Awesome Rock Handicap and there is a case to be made for several runners. Detango (barrier 7) has returned to racing in outstanding form this season and is seeking a third-consecutive race win on Saturday. While charged with overcoming topweight, the Demerit mare could receive the run of the race from barrier 7 and is probably the horse to beat. Checkers (barrier 3) has placed second at his two-most recent starts, but has the class to win this race and is primed for another big performance. Harry Thomas (barrier 11) has only finished outside the first three once through four starts this time, while Pinball Wizard (barrier 9) faces a step up in class, but is also seeking a third-consecutive race win.

Tip: No. 10 Pinball Wizard ($3.50)

Race 3 (1:58pm) King’s Troop At Taunton Vale Handicap (1000m)

Eleven horses have also been confirmed for Race 3 at Belmont on Saturday, including Two Silver Trees (barrier 7). The Encosta De Lago mare resumed for a comfortable win in the D’Orgogna Handicap (1000m) on May 3rd, before repeating that performance in the Pink Ladies High Tea BM66+ (1000m) on June 3rd. Kramden (barrier 6) and Vandemonian (barrier 4) both improved noticeably to win their last starts, but would both need to improve again to win here. Gold Shimmer (barrier 1) will need to use some energy early to not get lost from the rails draw, but he was a smart winner last time out and should be right in the finish of this race.

Tip: Two Silver Trees ($4)

Race 4 (2:33pm) Lucky Street At Darling View Thoroughbreds Handicap (1200m)

Several horses should improve into the Lucky Street At Darling View Handicap on Saturday and it should therefore be a particularly well-contested race. Proceedwithcaution (barrier 8) will carry topweight, but is undoubtedly one of the class runners in this field and is further boosted by a good draw and William Pike confirmed to ride. Ripper Rio (barrier 4) is drawn to get an ideal run in transit and carries winning form into the race after beating a classy field at Ascot last time, albeit in May. Candlelight Star (barrier 7), Star Glitter (barrier 6) and Flying Time (barrier 5) are all live chances.

Tip: No. 4 Ripper Rio – Each Way ($6/$2.10)

Race 5 (3:10pm) Rommel At Mogumber Park Handicap (2100m)

Thirteen horses will contest the Rommel At Mogumber Park Handicap on Saturday afternoon, including Rosewood Hill (barrier 1). The talented gelding has been charged with carrying 62kgs, but has won four of his last five starts and should prove extremely tough to beat once more. Dark Muscat (barrier 13) is always there or there about, but will need luck from an awkward draw, while Not Again Ken (barrier 5) is looking to build off an impressive win at Belmont a fortnight ago. No Say In It (barrier 2), Jetoomy (barrier 3) and Cappo D’Ooro (barrier 12) should all relish the conditions of the race.

Tip: No. 1 Rosewood Hill ($3.90)

Race 6 (3:45pm) Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m)

The first black type race of the day has drawn eleven three-year-olds and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. Variation has won both the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1500m) and the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) most notably this time, the latter most-recently and appears that he will more than relish a step up to 2000m for the first time. Western Temple (barrier 5) worked to the line well to finish third in the Belmont Guineas and has the notable advantage of William Pike aboard, while Gatting (barrier 2) placed second in the race and appears primed for a return to winning form in the Aquanita Stakes. Jackpot Prince (barrier 3) is seeking a third-consecutive win, while Rich Red (barrier 9) is far-better than his long-odds quote suggests.

Tip: No. 3 Western Temple ($6.50)

Race 7 (4:20pm) Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m)

Thirteen three-year-old fillies will seek black type success in the Belmont Oaks, including Fontainbleau (barrier 8). The Alfred Nobel filly ran a credible fifth in the Belmont Guineas a fortnight ago and will relish a return to fillies’ company on Saturday. Perfect Dream (barrier 12) has been close in every start she has had this time and should enjoy the conditions of this race, while Imaginary (barrier 4) and Midnight Drama (barrier 1) both carry winning form into the race, albeit at a lesser grade. Sophie’s Revenge (barrier 7) has steadily built to the task this time in and could receive the run of the race from her central draw.

Tip: No. 8 Perfect Dream ($5.50)

Race 8 (4:55pm) It Just Has To Be Vert De Grece Handicap (1600m)

It is an open field of twelve confirmed for the final race on Belmont Oaks Day and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Race favourite Luke’s Gold (barrier 7) has found strong and consistent form this time in remains a $5 chance of winning the race, while notable Saturday grade horses Shinta Mani (barrier 9), Stocks (barrier 11) and Granlarado (barrier 6) are all live chances. Gangbuster failed to fire in the Belmont Guineas last time out, but should enjoy a step back in company, a light weight and William Pike in the saddle.

Tip: No. 5 Luke’s Gold ($5)

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.