International Racing: Belmont Park – Wednesday 27 May 2020

Cost: R200.00

Race 1.
Only two of the ten runners facing the starter here have had a run and the winner may well come from one of the unraced entrants. As is the case in these types of races, keep an eye on the betting to get some indication as to what the various stables think about their chances of winning on debut. However, LONG MAY YOU RUN may be good enough to win here. He finished second on debut over this distance and would have come on with the run under his belt. He should be right up there when they hit the line. ELLISIO makes his debut after two solid barrier trials and has cracked pole position. NUHAD is a filly taking on the boys and makes her debut here. She has had four barrier trials and jumps from gate three. LASTING IMPACT is also a filly who has her first start. She had had two encouraging barrier trials, winning the latest.

Race 2.
As with the first race the number of unraced entrants outnumber the raced runners and the betting may be the best guide as to the chances of the debutants. Of the raced runners, VENETIAN JEWEL was beaten a head when making her debut over five furlongs. She returns from a lengthy 68 week break, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest. BRIGHT DIAMOND has her first run, but she has won two of her three barrier trials, including the latest. EMERALD ROSE improved in her last two starts before taking a 29 week break. She has had a barrier trial to prove her fitness and should be considered in this line-up. Her draw eleven of eleven runner is however a bit of a concern. BIG MAN IN THE SKY makes his debut and is drawn one inside the latter. He did however win his only barrier trial and must have a chance here.

Race 3.
SILVER SCOUT won his maiden race last time out when finishing strongly over 1300M, suggesting that the extra ground will be to his liking. He is drawn in gate three and could follow up that victory here. STARALIGN finished second in his last outing over this trip, 1.8L behind the winner. He should be involved in the finish here. GREAT CHARADE is drawn in pole position and only needs to reproduce his penultimate effort over the seven furlongs to make him a big danger to the top two selections. SUSPECTUS returns from a 29 week break and has his first run for his new trainer. He has not had a barrier trial and takes a big drop in distance, but if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should be considered here.

Race 4.
LEVITATE showed good improvement to win his last run over five furlongs. He steps up in trip, but this should no present a problem. AGENT JAY missed out on his hat-trick last time out when finishing third over five furlongs. He had won his prior outing over the six furlongs and should be right at home over the trip. ABERDEEN QUEEN has her hat-trick attempt here after finishing well to win her last two start over seven furlongs. She is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she has pulled pole position and the trio of victories is very much on the cards. ANNIHILATOR also missed out on his hat-trick last time out over seven furlongs. He has his first run after a 24 week rest, but he was placed in his barrier trial.

Race 5.
RHYTHM STAR is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she won her maiden race last time out over ten furlongs and may be good enough to follow up here over the extra ground. BLACK RANSOM finished fourth last time out over nine furlongs, but did win his penultimate start over ten furlongs and from pole position, he looks to be the immediate danger to the top selection. ALMASTER stayed on well in his last outing over ten furlongs and on that performance, he should have no issue with the extra distance today. FINAL CHILL takes the step up from a mile and if enjoying the extra ground, he should be right up there in the mix.

Race 6.
DEW WEST is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she showed good improvement when dropping back to five furlongs last time out and despite having to deal with gate nine, she should ensure that the males know that they have been in a race. WANNA BE GOOD found plenty of betting support last time out when second, a length back over six furlongs. He has a handy three gate and will get 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. ELLENS CHOICE is a 6yr old mare who has posted two solid last runs over 1100M. She jumps from pole position and should give another honest performance today. ZIEBELL returns from a 11 weeks rest and has not had a barrier trial. He faces draw thirteen, but has the early gate speed to be able to get across without using up too much energy.

Race 7.
SPEEDY MISS is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she is seldom far off the action and has a handy four draw. She renews her rivalry with TURBO POWER today after finishing 0.4L behind the latter last time out over seven furlongs. She is however 1kg better off at today’s weights and should be able to reverse that result. This race is over the slightly shorter journey, but there should not be much separating the pair when they reach the finishing post. UNBREAKABLE has consistent form to his name and drops back in trip from his last outing over seven furlongs. He starts from draw eight and should be doing his best work late. ZEPHYR QUEEN is a 4yr old filly who showed steady improvement in her last two runs. She looked dangerous in the latter stages of her last outing over seven furlongs and the drop in trip should almost certainly be to her liking.