Mick Price-trained Lion Of Belfort will make his Group 1 debut in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday and is chasing his fourth straight victory after stringing together a number of impressive performances this campaign.
Lion Of Belfort is currently priced at $13 in 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Lion Of Belfort finished an unlucky second in his racing debut at Geelong but has been undefeated in his three subsequent starts; winning a maiden at Geelong, the Mitchelton Wines Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley and the Blue Sapphire (1200m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Price has been delighted with the improvement that Lion Of Belfort has made during his debut preparation and told Racing Ahead that the Statue Of Liberty colt is going into the 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes field as a winning chance.
“I know that it is his first race prep but he sort of goes to the water walker between races to keep the edge on him and he is fantastic,” Price said.
“Damien rode him on the course proper here and his time was good and the horse was good.
“I would think if he has a nice run into the race that he is there to win if he is good enough on the day.
“I know that he has won and done a good job but I am hoping that there is enough improvement in him.”
Lion Of Belfort will be making his debut down the famous Flemington straight this weekend and Price said that he is not worried about the three-year-old testing 1200 metres but he admits that he is unsure where the speed in the race is going to come from.
“I had a little quick look at the race and tried to find where the speed is,” Price said.
“There are a lot of horses in that race that they want to ride races on and it is a straight so I guess it will be a bit tricky.
“It would be lovely to follow the right horse into the race, get cover, appear at the right time and give him every chance.
“I don’t worry too much about the straight track and he just has to be good enough on the day.”
Chris Waller-trained Zoustar is the short priced favourite in 2013 Coolmore Stud Stakes betting markets but you can throw a blanket over the rest of the horses in the field; with only $2 separating the odds of Divine Calling ($11), Sidestep ($12), Not Listenin’tome ($12), Missy Longstocking ($12) and Lion Of Belfort ($13).
Price is chasing his first victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes; with the second place finish of Bel Mer behind Weekend Hussler in 2007 his previous best result in the race.
