3 minute read
The Grant Williams team appears set to continue their hot run of form with promising mare Magical Mist well placed to remain unbeaten this weekend at Belmont.
Stepping out on debut at Northam last month the daughter of High Chaparral was quick to make a big impression when working home strongly over the shorter trip to gain the upper hand in the concluding stages.
While she wasn't met with much support on that occasion it proved a different story at her following start when she was heavily backed and duly saluted when relishing the step up to the mile at Northam last start.
Ridden patiently by William Pike she proved she was easily a class above when pulled to the outside in the straight quickly sprinting clear to score effortlessly by four lengths.
Recording one of the quickest times of the day it is clear Magical Mist is well on the verge of bigger and better things and this weekend's affair appears a mere stepping stone along that journey.
A half to the Group 1 placed Mr Tipsy it is clear she will relish the step up to 2100m and should have too much class for her rivals.
Currently rated close to an even money chance across the board appears a more than fair gamble as she already rates on top on raw form and with further improvement expected she should have little concerns disposing of her rivals.
The Ben Pearce trained Danablue proved ultra impressive when saluting in similar company last start and shapes as one of the better bets on the card.
Another galloper who proved the punter's pal when duly saluting with ease after he was heavily back on course the son of Husson Lightning has continued to show good improvement this preparation and his effort to score last start was in-fact a new career peak.
While he does rise considerably in weight for Saturday's affair it does appear an easier race on paper as he still rates three pounds clear of his nearest rival without actually factoring in Ben Patterson's 2kg claim. The step up to seven furlongs appears ideal and he is proven to be right at his peak fitness.
Having opened as a 5-2 chance in early pre-post markets that price was quickly snapped up and the best price on offer at the moment currently 7-4.
Although one of the shortest priced favourites on Saturday's card it still appears a more than generous quote as we have him rated close to a 5-4 shot and will gladly dive in at that price.
While most punters will be left scratching their heads when trying to decipher the final leg of the quaddie one galloper who is clearly under the odds is the Lindsay Smith trained Orbital Motion.
Formerly trained by Mark Kavanagh the son Galileo failed to fire fresh at this track when finishing 11th of 12 over 1200m.
While obviously short of his best over that trip there was still little to take out of that performance and the fact he has come up favourite is a bit surprising.
On raw ratings he fails to feature in the top five and sits eight pounds shy of Tax A Million, Black Romeo and New Time.
Although he will probably improve second up he appears well under the odds at 7-2 and more than happy to take him on in what is easily the most open affair of the day.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
BANKER: Race 2 #8 MAGICAL MIST @ $2.10
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 3 #5 DANABLUE @ $2.75
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 8 #9 ORBITAL MOTION @ $4.50