International Racing: Belmont – Thursday 14 May 2020

A small, but competitive seven-race programme is scheduled for Belmont on Thursday. The best bet is I’M PRETTY in Race 5. Her last three starts over today’s distance have been very good and with regular pilot William Pike in the saddle, she looks to be the one they all have to beat. 

Other international racing tips for Thursday:
Longchamp
Belmont
Cairns
Hamilton
Wyong
Neil Morrice Tips

Value Bet: BEANIE (Race 7)

Race 1
DOMINEER is a filly taking on the males. She has not finished too far off the winner in her last three starts. The manner in which she ran on at the finish in her last outing over 1300m at Pinjarra was eye-catching. The step up to the mile will be right up her alley and with Brad Parnham back in the saddle, the pair will be mowing down the frontrunners in the run down to the winning post. VITAL IMAGE showed good improvement in his last start over seven furlongs at Bunbury. He raced three wide with no cover that day, but the manner in which he finished off his race that day was encouraging. He should enjoy the extra furlong on offer today and if confirming his recent improvement, the son of Vital Equine should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.

Race 2 
MISS MALIBU is still a maiden after thirteen runs, but she has not finished too far behind the winner in recent outings. She settled in a handy position in her last start and chased solidly all the way to the finishing post to end up a length behind the winner. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. She is likely to race on the speed with minimum pressure under her 3kg claiming apprentice and may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. APACHE RABBIT has produced two good runs since given a 27-week break. She stayed on well at the business end of her last race when finishing third over seven furlongs. The daughter of Dalakhani will enjoy the rise to the mile today and should strip a much fitter horse. Lucy Warwick retains the ride and the pair may be the ones to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection.

Race 3
The betting market may be the best guide in this race as one of the unraced horses could come to the fore. BOSNIPP is a daughter of Snippetson from the Justin Warwick yard. She has had five barrier trials before this outing, the last two of which she went past the line in front. Lucy Warwick takes the ride on debut and if the filly is not too green, she may be the one they all have to beat. SPECIAL PICTURE is a daughter of Tavistock from the Adam Durrant stable with William Pike in the irons. She produced a fair barrier trial leading into this race and if not in need of the run, she may be right there in the run down to the finishing post.


Race 4
CHOKSLAM has produced four good runs to date. She finished third over six furlongs at Bunbury when returning from a 25-week break last time. She was unlucky not to have won that day as she was held up for a run until the 200m mark. The daughter of Smug should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and with a bit of luck in running, she looks to be the one they all have to beat. SILENT ACT’S last four starts have been good. She raced in the box seat over 1300m last time and tried hard all the way to the finishing post. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. Jockey Kyra Yuill knows her well and the pair merits healthy respect.

Race 5 
I’M PRETTY is the best bet on today’s card. She produced a strong finish to win her last start over this distance at Pinjarra Park. Jockey William Pike has a good record aboard the daughter of Dash For Cash having won four times, finishing second once and third twice from eight starts. The combination jumps from a mid-field barrier position this afternoon and look tough to beat. RESISTANCE should have finished closer to the top selection in her last start. She was held up for a run until the 200m mark and only managed to make steady progress in the closing stages. She gets the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice this afternoon which should help her cause. With a bit of luck in running, she should finish right on top of the top choice.

Race 6
LEVITATE returns from a 20-week break this afternoon, during which time he would have strengthened up. He has won once, finished second once and third once from four career starts. Jockey William Pike has a decent 32%-win strike rate for this trainer. The son of Husson should have no concerns with regards to fitness as he won his barrier trial coming into this race. With a bit of luck in running from his wide barrier position, he should be the one to get past. WESTERNIZE has decent recent form to his credit. He stayed on well at the business end of his last outing to finish third over this distance at Ascot. He gets the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice this afternoon and might be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection.

Race 7
BEANIE is the value bet on today’s programme. He ran a fair race over this distance at Ascot last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. It is encouraging that jockey Paul Harvey steps back into the saddle this afternoon as he has won twice and finished third once from six starts aboard the son of Helmet. On best form shown, he may be the one to cause the upset in this type of field. DEPUTANO is a filly taking on the males. Her last two starts at Ascot have been good. She takes a step up in distance this afternoon, but the manner in which she finished off her last race suggests that this trip will be right up her alley. She has a good record under jockey Brad Parnham and the combination merit healthy respect.