International Racing: Thursday 28 May 2020 – Belmont Park

Race 1
BOSNIPP is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she finished third on debut over five furlongs at this venue when finding plenty of betting support. She would have learnt from the experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she looks to be the one that they all have to beat. SATURDAY SUN has finished second in his last three runs, the latest over this c&d. The extra ground is sure to suit him and he looks the immediate danger to the former. RAPID TRANSIT returns from a 24-week rest, but he did win his barrier trial to prove his fitness. Although finishing seventh in his last run before the break, he was only 1.5L behind the winner over the six furlongs. LIES ‘N’ DECEPTION has cracked pole position and if able to repeat his penultimate effort over this distance, he should be respected here.

Race 2
SHADOW SHIFTER has shown gradual improvement over his last two runs and finished third last time out over six furlongs, just 0.9L behind the winner. He will get 3kgs taking off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice to help his cause. MISS MARGAUX is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she has only had the two runs, both of which were over seven furlongs. She has a wide draw of eleven, but she should appreciate the drop in distance. JONO has also only had the two outings, but he showed the expected improvement second time out and if he has continued down that road, he should be involved in the finish today. PIMPIN is another 3yr old filly. She makes her debut here, but she has participated in four barrier trials, the latest of which was most encouraging. Any betting support for her should be respected.


Race 3
CHOKSLAM is a 4yr old filly taking on boys, but she has shown improvement in her last two outings, being beaten by a head in her latest run over 1300M. From her handy four draw, she should be right up there when they hit the line. PYRO is a long-time maiden, but he drops back from the mile of his last three outings and will get 3kgs removed from his allocated courtesy of his claiming apprentice. KING CABERNET has not been too far back in his last three runs over seven furlongs and has a handy two gate. He should be doing his best work late. DELLARAAJ is a 3yr old filly who makes her debut here. She has had the benefit of three barrier trials, the latest of which was encouraging and despite a wide draw of 10, she should be considered in this line-up.

Race 4
MISS MALIBU is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she was only beaten by a head last time out over the c&d after attracting plenty of betting support. Her overall form is consistent and she is likely to put in another honest performance here. She will be further aided by having 3kgs taken off her back for the services of her claiming apprentice. MAGNUSON MAN was just run out of it late last time out over a mile and will also have a 3kgs claiming apprentice in the saddle. BELLANCO and SMART FASCINATOR both come out of the same formline as the top selection, and as they meet on the same weight terms today, that result seems likely to be confirmed.

Race 5
MR MT WALKER showed market improvement to win his last start over 1500M and a repeat of that effort could see him convert the double. He has pole position to support his claim. SAX ON QUE has not been too far behind in his last two outings and from draw eight, he should make his presence felt here. SUPER TEROITOA showed big improvement in his last outing when finishing second, just a half-length back over six furlongs. He was unfancied in the betting that day and having 3kgs taken off his back for his claiming apprentice will assist in his claim for top spot. REACTION finished second, 0.4L behind the victor last time out over 1100M and should enjoy going the extra distance.

Race 6
YULONG EARTH received no betting support when finishing a head second last time out over seven furlongs. He will start from gate six and if that last run was not just a one-off performance, he should be respected in this field. ROCK’N’RULER followed up his win over seven furlongs with a solid one length defeat next time out over the same distance. He has a wide draw of 10 to overcome, but he should be concerned with the finish here. HOTHAM VALLEY nearly caused the upset when finishing close up last time out over six furlongs and may be able to trouble the top two selections today. AFLICA’S GIRL is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she may do better stepping up to the 1300M today and starting from gate four.

Race 7
Three fillies and a mare look to dominate the finish to this contest and the quartet is very much on the cards. CUBAN TWIST won her last start over 1500M to record her maiden victory. She has her first run for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here. JAGUAR GREY steps up in distance after winning her penultimate start over seven furlongs and then following that up with a solid next run over the same distance. FANGIO was also a winner of his penultimate outing, this time over 1500M and then finished second next time out over the same trip. The step up in distance should not be an issue. GOLDEN BONNEY has improved in all three of her last starts, the latest over 1500M when 0.6L behind the winner. She should be included in all bets.

Race 8
MISSING PRO is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she won her latest outing over this c&d and will get 3kgs taken off her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice. PRIM AND PROPER is a 3yr old filly who has her first run after a 21-week break, but she did win her barrier trial to confirm her well-being. Her overall form is consistent. SECRET ASSAULT showed marked improvement last time out over the c&d when a half-length behind the winner. He starts from gate three and should be a factor today. ATACAMA SKY is a speedy sort who will appreciate the drop back to five furlongs and is sure to put his pole position to good use.