Bel Sprinter has been rated the outsider of the field in the Group 1 $400,000 Brown Baldwin William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley tonight, but trainer Jason Warren is hoping for a one – two finish.
Bel Sprinter is the outsider of the field for the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.
Warren is keen for Bel Sprinter to regain his best form to warrant another trip to Singapore for the Group 1 S$1m Krisflyer International Sprint (1200m) at Singapore on May 17 after being runner up to Hong Kong’s star sprinter Lucky Nine in 2013.
Bel Sprint has been out of the Group 1 winner’s stall since winning his only race at the highest level when he stormed home to win the 2013 Group 1 $350,000 Canterbury BMW Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill.
The Bel Esprit seven year old’s bad trait of missing the start has put him out of contention on many occasions and his only win since was when he dead heated with Miracles Of Life in the Group 2 $200,000 Perri Cutten Caulfield Sprint (1100m) at Caulfield during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Bel Sprinter has had one run back from a spell for a well beaten ninth to Shamal Wind in the Group 1 $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 28 but Warren is expecting a better showing heading back to Moonee Valley.
“The Strathayr suits him but he likes the circuit where he can slingshot off the bend and really let go,” Warren told AAP.
Bel Sprinter has recorded two wins at Moonee Valley, both over 1000m, but Warren is confident he is ready to step up to the 1200m of the William Reid Stakes following some solid work.
“I gave him a little jump-out at Balnarring last week to keep him up to the mark,” Warren said.
“He’s in the zone.”
Warren had to look for a new jockey for Bel Sprinter when regular rider Ben Melham elected to ride the Peter Moody trained Peron and was happy to snap up Kerrin McEvoy who was aboard the giant sprinter when he won the Galaxy.
“Ben got off which opened the door for us to get Kerrin back in the saddle,” Warren said.
McEvoy is certain to settle Bel Sprinter back in the field from barrier ten and then set him alight from the 600m.
In an open betting race, Ladbrokes.com.au have the Robbie Griffiths trained Angelic Light the $5 favourite for the William Reid Stakes.
Rebel Dane is challenging for the top spot at $5.50 just ahead of Vain Queen at $6.50, Earthquake at $7 Peron at $8 while Bel Sprinter is the outsider of the field at $41.
