3 minute read
A wet track is expected for H.G. Bolton Sprint Day at Belmont.
A field of 13 has been assembled for the Listed H.G. Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday afternoon, with a damp racing surface anticipated.
Rain during the midweek meeting saw the track drop into the Heavy range (Heavy 8) with further rainfall expected over the coming days.
The sprinkle on Wednesday saw runners head to the middle and outside part of the track which appeared the superior going, so that may be worth keeping in the back of your mind when diving into the form for Saturday's card.
The feature is an interesting race to dissect, with Pike and Team Williams combining with early favourite Red Fifty Three.
A two-time winner first-up, the five-year-old comes was placed in a Bunbury Stakes before a disappointing effort when in the market in the Grandstand Cup in March.
He's since had the one trial coming in, with Pike sticking with the gelding from that outing.
Admittedly, Red Fifty Three ticks a few boxes heading into Saturday's event, though having him favourite seems a little shaky considering Vast Art brings in similar formlines and beat Red Fifty Three in that trial.
Vast Art is currently second favourite, with the form coming through the Beaufine Stakes a fortnight ago thrown by the wayside.
I'm not completely giving up on Minsk Moment just yet. While Pike hopping off doesn't fill me with confidence, he stuck on well there and may have found the 1000m journey too sharp.
Getting out in trip now can see him get back to something like his best, with CJP drawn well to take advantage if they do get off the inside like they did on Wednesday afternoon.
Saloon Bar has never been one of mine, but to see him priced up alongside a BM66+ winner a fortnight ago smells of a betting opportunity.
Good without winning under big weights last campaign, he slides into this event nicely with 55kg and looks to have a genuine speed to run at late in the piece.
While the Beaufine Stakes form has been overlooked in early betting in the feature sprint, it also finds itself third pick in race four with SOFIA'S SYMPHONY.
Jumping a $13 chance in the Listed sprint last start, she was only beaten 2.4 lengths and was checked when a rival fell in the straight.
Now back in grade, she finds herself up against horses that have been running up against each other in recent events, which makes her stand out with not only stronger form, but a different line to take.
Sofia's Symphony is also a two-time winner second-up and Parnham has a successful partnership with the mare.
Only 1.7 lengths off Oscar's Fortune at the end of last campaign reads well, and with improvement expected she can get the job done in the fourth event of the day.
At a similar price range, I thought RISSOLES was worth entertaining in race three.
The three-year-old had shown good ability in midweek grade and showed she's up to this level with a 0.9L defeat in Open 3YO grade last time out.
While she was 25-1 there, she may have slid under the radar on her prior ratings and getting out to 1400m now can see the best of her.
The daughter of Playing God was thrown in the deep end at start two, contesting the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic, highlighting the stable's opinion of her.
She looks to be on an upward trajectory, improving with every run this time in, and with further improvement anticipated she can make her presence felt in what appears a suitable event.
The bet365 Best From The West
Best Bet: Race 4 Number 5 SOFIA'S SYMPHONY @ $6* with bet365
Next Best: Race 3 Number 9 RISSOLES @ $7* with bet365
*All prices correct as of 12:45pm, July 25th.
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