3 minute read

Jaike Altieri provides his Best Bets for the nine-race card at Belmont on Saturday.

It's a bit of an 'off week' at Belmont this weekend with the running of the South West Cup at Listed level taking place at Bunbury on Sunday.

The Westspeed Platinum Winter Series Final does take place as race seven on the program, though it is a complete raffle with the early market being $6 the field, with cases being amde both for and against many of the runners engaged.

With the Aquanita Stakes and the Belmont Oaks next weekend, we'll just dive straight into the Best Bets for Saturday racing with the track rated at Good 4 as of Thursday, and the rail out 3m the entire circuit.

Heading to the staying race of the day for the Best Bet, with the Chris Willis-trained TALLANGATTA in race six catching the eye at the early price.

While playing in staying events isn't my forte, his ratings from recent events jump off the page, bringing in the best form through Fat Roy Slim and Citino in recent starts.

This is an easier race than what he's been running well in, and while he does rise in grade, he hasn't been completely smacked by the Handicapper.

Kisses From Kelly won a Class 3 at the midweek's last start, getting the job done as the $1.90 pick.

This is a level above for Kelly though, and while Tallangatta hasn't been winning of late, he's been running figures better than the horses he's up against today.

He'll press on to take the lead under Madi Derrick, and he's expected to take plenty of catching once he gets there.

I'm also heading back tot he well with JUSTABITTAPRESS for Michael Lane and Chris Parnham.

The three-year-old by Press Statement disappointed last start, though he did bump into a good race with Objectify a horse on the rise.

Objectify runs earlier in the card and the form may have been franked by this stage of the day. Figures suggest Justabittapress has more to come and a return to the form he showed two starts back is imminent.

Current race favourite Rockin' Rupert ran over the same course and distance in the race following Justabittapress, clocking in an overall time 0.33 seconds slower.

He's still learning the trade, but this looks a perfect opportunity for Justabittapress to get back onto the winner's list.

The Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 6 Number 3 TALLANGATTA @ $4.20*

Next Best: Race 9 Number 14 JUSTABITTAPRESS @ $4.20*

*Prices correct as of 4:30pm, June 27th.