Here’s the preview for the prestigious , time honoured “ Paul Taylor Handicap “ day . Hardest part about tipping this meeting is predicting what sort of conditions will present itself on the day. Tracks currently rated a soft 6 as it basks in glorious winter sunshine. The way Belmont drains it will be no surprise to wake up to a 5/ borderline good 4 but then… The forecast has changed from up to 20mls to 5-6 mls , the majority to fall between 8am - 12 pm. I’m hedging my bets and saying a 6 but it could be anywhere from a 6 to a Heavy 8. Drier than a 6 then my form goes out the window.
Best Bet Belmont r4 Alimentaria ; Price perspective best bet. Honest winter stayer that controls this out in front and gives a good kick. Currently paying 20c more than the 2nd fav Flower in the Wind after finishing 10 lengths in front of it only 2 weeks ago. Yes Flower didn’t handle the heavy but it’s a big turnaround in 2 weeks. Positive Impact could easily be the best horse in time but $2.90 when he’s stepping up 500m at start 4 in his first preparation is an ask I’m willing to go around . The wetter it is , the bigger advantage fitness and the speedmap becomes .
Belmont r5 Classic Rogue ; If the track makes it to the 7/8 range his chances skyrocket. Handled the conditions much better 2 weeks ago ( was a H9) then his opposition. Same track and distance today but stiffer opposition. Vital Flirt is in the same boat in regards to condtions , Big Screen looks hard to run down but may cop some pressure from Inflation . Drier / on pace conditions suit him so like all races today , big watch on conditions.
Belmont r7 Probity ; Absolutely swims so if it’s a h8 it becomes the best of the day , a s5 my enthusiasm plummets. The win on the H9 two weeks ago was remarkable. Settled a clear last , sliced through the field and won effortlessly , running away from them on the line. This is a harder race with Multinational to chase down but pretty confident it does in the right conditions.
Belmont r8 Resortman ; The win in the Bolton Sprint was top notch , especially considering the track pattern of the day. He sat deep from the wide draw and sustained a long run to win narrowly but convincingly. Very similar field in identical conditions and from a better gate , he should be awfully hard to beat providing he gets room to zoom in the straight.
Best Value Belmont r9 Kia Ora Star ; TBH if the race wasn’t named after one’s self then I wouldn’t be betting. But it is so It would be rude not to throw a dart. Did too much work first up and dropped out late . I thought it was a good effort under the circumstances . Hoping they elect to take a sit on Puli instead of getting in a speed battle , peel off heels and try and pinch it. I am a #11inthelast man and Dorado should get an identical run to last time drawn 1 , might not be as rain effected but the form has stood up since.
r9 Novelties 1st & 2nd ; 1 3 11 3rd & 4th ; Field . $3 Quinella , $60 trifecta $660 first 4.
Extremely tough race and by no means do I suggest spending much on the novelties , they should pay huge no matter what the result so a small flexi % will be suffice.
Belmont Early Quaddie (r2-5) ; 1 6 , field , 2 8 , 2 4 . $64 for 100%
Belmont Quaddie (r6-9) field , 7 , 4 5 , field $240 for 100%
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