2017 Strickland Stakes Day Preview and Tips

Belmont Racecourse in Perth is the scene of an outstanding day’s racing on Saturday, highlighted by the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m).

Disposition will take his place in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Disposition will take his place in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Some of the best horses trained in the nation’s west will step out for races on 2017 Strickland Stakes Day and we have analysed each race and runner in detail, in order to help you find a winner.

The action on 2017 Strickland Stakes Day is set to get underway with the running of the Amelia Park Beef Plate (1000m) at 12:33pm local time, while the feature race will be run and won at 4:15pm.

Race 1 (12:33pm) Amelia Park Beef Plate (1000m)

Eleven two-year-olds will line up in Race 1 at Belmont on Saturday afternoon, including four debutants. Cognac (barrier 8) has returned to racing in outstanding form this time and is seeking a third-consecutive win in this race, and should prove tough to beat under the conditions. Mizlecki (barrier 7) could receive the run of the race from her draw and has the notable advantage of William Pike in the saddle. All Square (barrier 6) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his strong debut for fourth at Belmont on June 14th, is drawn well and will take plenty of beating in this race from a good draw.

Tip: No. 8 Mizlecki ($2)

Race 2 (1:13pm) Sign On Handicap (1000m)

A small but talented field of eight three-year-olds will step out for Race 2 on Strickland Stakes Day. Belter (barrier 3) returned to the races for a smart win in the Amelia Park Lodge Handicap (1000m) a fortnight ago and will only take improvement into this race, while Top Of The Classic (barrier 2) was not far away last time out and should find a handy position close to the pace from an inside draw. High Conviction (barrier 8) has not been seen at the races for more than a year, but is a proven first-up performer and was excellent through her most-recent preparation. Dia De La Raza (barrier 6) has steadily built to the task this time and appears ready to peak in condition in the Sign On Handicap.

Tip: No. 1 Belter ($3.60)

Race 3 (1:53pm) David Grays Aglink Handicap (1300m)

It is an open field of nine that has been confirmed for Race 3 and there is a case to be made for nearly every horse. Grey Enigma (barrier 3) failed to fire last start, but can probably be forgiven for the run and is a live chance. Lockroy (barrier 7) flew home to win the Kirin Megumi Plate (1200m) a fortnight ago and should prove extremely tough to beat again on Saturday, while Sharpbob (barrier 4) also carries winning form and has been extremely consistent this time in. Royal Missile (barrier 5) has finished fourth in each of his four-most recent starts, but is arguably faced with his best chance of breaking into the first three amongst this company and under the conditions of the David Grays Aglink Handicap.

Tip: No. 2 Lockroy – Each Way ($11/$2.45)

Race 4 (2:28pm) Old Mate’s Sports Bar & Eatery Handicap (1400m)

Ten horses have been confirmed in the final field for Race 4, including War God (barrier 9). War God returned to winning form with a dominant performance at Belmont a fortnight ago and a repeat of that effort would see him a comfortable winner once more here. Baraki Beats (barrier 6) clearly required a run when he finished towards the tail of the field first-up, but will carry plenty of improvement into this race and is one of the classiest in this field, on his day. Profit Street (barrier 4) has been strong and consistent this time and is drawn ideally to get the gun run in transit, with William Pike in the saddle. Abbasso (barrier 10) has been charged with overcoming the outside gate, but ran a strong third first-up and is another horse who will take benefit into this race.

Tip: No. 3 War God ($5.50)

Race 5 (3:04pm) Events At Ascot Handicap (1600m)

There is several winning chances included in the Events At Ascot Handicap, however first-up winner Cruachan (barrier 5) is undoubtedly the horse to beat. Cruachan flew home to win the Brown Brothers Handicap (1406m) at Pinjarra first-up and is drawn to get a similar run this weekend. Gomer Wipple (barrier 7) is seeking a third-consecutive win in this race and should also be right in the finish, while Come On Board (barrier 3) and Nelson’s Flight (barrier 2) have both found winning form this time in and are each not without a chance. Tommi Toocan (barrier 9) faces a reasonable step up in class into this field, but he has been impressive throughout his entire campaign and is in the right form to make a successful transition.

Tip: No. 3 Cruachan ($3.10)

Race 6 (3:40pm) Crown Towers Handicap (1600m)

An open field of fifteen will contest Race 6; the Crown Towers Handicap. Rare Coin (barrier 1) will carry only 54.5kgs under the conditions of this race and should find a prominent position from the rails draw. Middle Earth (barrier 3) could receive the run of the race from an inside draw and carries terrific form into this race and is seeking a third-consecutive triumph. Roughead (barrier 6) won a talent-rich Belmont Mile race a fortnight ago and should again prove tough to beat in this race and under the conditions. Kimbo’s Girl (barrier 9) has been strong and consistent and should be well suited by the conditions of this race, while Bergantina (barrier 7) ran a credible third first-up and will be on the improve leading into this race.

Tip: No. 12 Rare Coin ($4.80)

Race 7 (4:15pm) Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m)

The feature race has drawn ten horses, but it is tough to see anything beating outstanding runner Scales Of Justice (barrier 8). A Group 1 winner in Summer, the Not A Single Doubt gelding returned to the races for a close second in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) on June 3rd before posting a dominant win over most of this field in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago. The only query is the distance of the Strickland Stakes, however there is nothing to say that he won’t relish a step up in trip and his class is sure to count for plenty regardless. Disposition (barrier 1) was unable to run on in the Hyperion Stakes, but will be partnered by regular hoop William Pike and is always a threat, while Lite’n In My Veins (barrier 6), North Ridge (barrier 2) and Rosewood Hill (barrier 10) are all ready to run well.

Tip: No. 1 Scales Of Justice ($1.40)

Race 8 (4:50pm) Get The Tabtouch Handicap (1200m)

The final race on Strickland Stakes Day has also drawn a classy and open field. Bold Success (barrier 2) has not been seen at the races since March, but is a proven first-up performer and trialled exceedingly well at Lark Hill last week. Show Honey (barrier 6) went amiss last start, but is more than capable under the conditions of this race and at the class, and will be given every chance. Pirate’s Fortune (barrier 10), Cool Image (barrier 12) and Moment Of Pride (barrier 1) are all primed to run well.

Tip: No. 6 Bold Success

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.