Belmont hosts a nine-race card with the Belmont Classic as the featured listed race on card this Saturday. The first race commences at 1:39pm AEST and the last concludes at 6:31pm AEST. The rail is out 1m the entirety – selections are for a Heavy track with rain predicted – watch and monitor conditions throughout the day if possible.
Shannon Buckley is back with his Belmont best bets below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country this weekend!
Belmont Racing Tips: Saturday July 20th 2024
Race 4: Free Entry to Belmont Park BM66+ 2200m – 3:33pm AEST
(3) Kisses From Kelly: Many of these clash again after going against each other two weeks ago when Antique Miss was too good for them. I’ve re-watched the replay a few times and I think CJP kept his powder dry a bit too long which gave Antique Miss the chance to run him down. If he had have pushed the button a little earlier, it might have been a different story. Kisses From Kelly meets Antique Miss 0.5kg worse at the weights even though she beat him home, but Willy Pike jumps off as they opt to claim with Brayden Gaerth instead. I think Kisses From Kelly maps for the run of the race behind the leaders from a low draw while Antique Miss will likely settle last and have to swoop them again. He also gets back out to 2200m where he was a dominant winner two-back. I have to butter up on him after considering the above and hope he can get through the heavy ground (if the rain keeps coming). He can turn the tables.
(1) Antique Miss: In form 4YO mare who deserves to be favourite again. Pike jumps off thought, but she gets a 2kg claim engaged. Should be no problem over this trip.
(2) Strike Now: Won over this trip/class three back and hasn’t been all that far away since. Meets similar company again and is worth thought at odds.
(3) Kisses From Kelly
$3.30 (2.5 units)
Race 7: Belmont Classic 2200m - 5:18pm AEST
(6) Petrouchka: 3YO filly who won the Oaks last start and she is in super form of late. Willy Pike remains on board and looks to be his best ride for the day. Looks very hard to beat here on paper. Rock hard fit now and draws well. She will be hitting the line well.
(1) Weeraechoux: 3YO who returned to form last start where he flew late to only finish a length behind the winner. Rise in trip now looks ideal and Chris Parnham stays on. Must be considered if they are making ground.
(7) Lyrical Angel: 3YO filly who has been around the mark on all runs bar the fourth up run where she was pulled up. Looks a great each way chance and must be in the exotics.
(6) Petrouchka
$1.95 (5 units)
Race 8: Happy 80TH Birthday Derek Hulbert BM66+ 1000m – 5:56pm AEST
(6) Ginnivan: Looks one of the better bets on the program. He got away with an easy time in front two-back before giving a big kick turning for home to win by 3.4L over Final Siren at this track/trip. He stayed at this track/trip last start when Final Siren was able to turn the tables on him beating him right on the post (all honours the winner after sitting 3WNC throughout / big gaps to third / Puli and Kings Honour have since won or run well). He gets in well at the weights after the claim, Gaerth has won on him before, he’s never missed the placings on soft ground, and he maps to settle on-speed again. I think he will cross to lead or he will camp behind Bayezid and Lexington City who like to roll forward. The genuine heavy ground is a query, but I’m happy to find out. He can win again.
(1) Lexington City: 5YO who gets back in grade now and goes well over the 1000m. Gets a nice draw and is expected to be out in front for a long way. 1.5kg claim puts him as a key runner.
(14) Under Influence: Roughie of the field who won nicely two back and then motored home last start on the heavy to just miss. Looks as though he relished the weather effected track, so happy to have a small saver at odds here and with Willy Pike in the saddle boosts confidence.
(6) Ginnivan
$3.50 (2.5 units)
