3 minute read

Best Bets for Belmont Sprint Day.

Belmont hosts their first feature raceday of the season with the Belmont Sprint the headline act on a strong card of racing this Saturday.

With some rain about in Perth this weekend, they track should be prime for racing and every horse should get their chance with the rail out 5 metres.

Let's dive straight into the feature which looks awesome with the names presenting again in 2025.

We'll start at the top of the market with West Star coming off a very impressive win in the Northam Stakes at Group 3 level, running away to score easily after sitting wide in the run. He rises in weight this time under the conditions of the race, but it's not the weight that is the issue leading into this.

While the 3YO overcame the wide draw last start and some may see it as a 'rinse and repeat' job, there seems to be more substance to a few other runners in this field, including last year's winner Western Empire who comes into this following a disappointing run in The Quokka.

While below his best in the $5million feature, his trials had suggested he was tracking well heading into this first-up run and he usually improves with a run under the belt. Up to 1400m is also a big key for the class horse of the race.

West Star ran the same number Western Empire did to win the Northam Stakes 12 months ago, and while the feeling is that West Star can go to another level, we have seen Western Empire do it already, and on a number of occasions.

One worth specking at the early odds is Yonga Lass who has been quietly going about her business at long odds this time in work. She was 30-1 in The Joey when beaten 2.1 lengths and then 25-1 in the Northam Stakes, sticking on well at the finish to be 3.6 lengths away.

The Northam track did play tricky that day with an obvious fast lane and swooper's were hindered.

The daughter of Universal Ruler boasts a good third-up record, and she now draws a much better gate for CJP which can see her right in the finish.

After betting against POND MASTER a fortnight ago, I'm with the 3YO this weekend in Race 4 on the program.

He was a good winner in this company a fortnight ago and put up a strong figure under Pike, sitting just off the speed and pulling away late.

It is the late strength that was most impressive, and getting up to 1400m doesn't look an issue for this son of Saxon Warrior.

While beaten 5.1 lengths over this trip at Ascot two starts ago, that was an above-average race and the form out of it has been superb.

This doesn't look any different to what Pond Master faced last start and with knocks on his rivals close to him in the market, he's an easy choice for Best Bet at Belmont this Saturday.

The Quaddie legs on Saturday will make for great betting, as well as great racing and I'm throwing up WIND AND THE LION in race eight on the program.

The Placid Ark Stakes winner was good without being great on resumption, beaten 1.5L, but he showed that getting back to 1200m is a key to his chances.

He was flying late when run off his feet over 1000m last start and while he has drawn wide, he looks to have enough speed to get across from the sticky barrier.

With a lot of those ahead of him in the early market likely to get back, he can be close to the speed and if he can get back to his best figures, he'll be hard to run down.

The Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 4 #3 POND MASTER @ $3.60*

Value Play: Race 8 #9 WIND AND THE LION @ $7.50*

Also backing: Race 8 #1 WESTERN EMPIRE @ $5* and #16 YONGA LASS $26*