3 minute read
It's Beaufine Stakes Day at Belmont with a tricky card on hand.
We're hit with another wet track on Saturday, with Belmont rated a Heavy 8 as of Thursday morning, with the rail out 8m the entire circumference.
The Listed Beaufine Stakes over 1000m is the feature event of the day and see's some handy sprinters returning, including early favourite Man Crush.
The Luke Fernie-trained gelding hasn't been sighted since pulling up lame following his run in the Scenic Blast on January 27th, returning to racing without a public trial.
Despite no public outings, the booking of Chris Parnham suggests the gelding is tracking along nicely for his return in a race that has plenty of angles,
Nerodio out of the Stephanie Bakranich yard is a two-time winner of the Beaufine (2021 & 22) and ticks plenty of boxes first-up for the campaign.
The wet track won't post an issue for this Belmont-loving speedster, having won six from 7 over this course and distance.
One of the more interesting runners fronting up on Saturday is Minsk Moment, returning to WA and the Adam Durrant stable.
After a solid campaign in Perth in 2023, connections flicked him back to Chris Waller for two runs in Victoria during the spring, where the son of I Am Invincible jumped a $6 in the Listed Weekend Hussler at Caulfield.
The gelding didn't participate in the race, refusing to jump with connections heading back to the West scratching their head as to what was next for the 5YO entire.
Minsk Moment was back at the trials in January this year, but after 4.2 and 5.8 length defeats, he was given another break.
He's a different horse this time in work though, trialling impressively on three occasions and suggesting he's back as good as ever. Since his last run in September 2023, the entire has undergone throat surgery which may prove the difference if he is to come out and perform on Saturday.
Minsk Moment has ratings that are good enough to win this event and if their getting to the middle or outside of the track by race eight on the card, he could be the one to land the knock out blow.
Putting my trust in the Dan Morton and Brad Parnham combination for my Best Bet, with OBJECTIFY in race five.
Stewards questioned Parnham regarding his riding of the filly three weeks ago, where she got well out of her ground and never really saw daylight in the straight.
The stable have given Parnham another opportunity to ride this filly who has plenty of upside and while he has drawn wide, we'll back him Brad in not to make the same mistake twice.
In early markets, she is equal favourite alongside Berbere. He is a smart horse for Team Williams and William Pike, but he was scratched with blood present in his nostril on June 22nd and now rises up to 1400m on a 35-day break. He has trialled since his first-up effort, but that's a setup that is easy to oppose, especially with some handy ones engaged.
This is an easier race for Objectify on Saturday, and she can return to winning ways.
While I'm hoping Grant and Alana Williams and Pike can't combine in race five, I'm going to back that combination to be successful in race four with YONGA LASS.
While this mare did look to be beaten on her merits last time out, it just took her a while to wind up in the straight and she was doing her best work over the closing stages and through the line.
The rise in trip is ideal and she may be a touch closer as well from barrier two.
Too Dardy comes through the same race we he sat back and rocketed home after being slowly into stride. The gelding is expected to be closer in running this time, but Yonga Lass was holding him through the line when they met 21 days ago.
The bet365 Best From The West
Best Bet: Race 5 Number 8 OBJECTIFY @ $3.40* with bet365
Next Best: Race 4 Number 2 YONGA LASS @ $2.70* with bet365
Beaufine Stakes: Race Number 3 MINSK MOMENT @ $6* with bet365
*Prices correct as of 3:15pm, July 11.
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