International Racing: Saturday 15 August 2020 – Belmont Park

Race 2

With the one late scratching in the race, only five runners line up here to face the starter, and CLAIRVOYANCE is taken to be very difficult to topple and is made the best bet on today’s card. She is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has won both of her starts to date over five furlongs at this track, the latest by five lengths. She hit the front at the top of the straight and was never sighted from then on. The trio of victories seems very much on the cards. WATCH ME DANCE is also a 3yr old filly. She returns from a 17-week break but did finish third in her only barrier trial to prove her well-being. She drops back to six furlongs after winning her last outing over seven furlongs, but this should not be an issue as she finished second in her penultimate start over the trip, just a short head back. She could complete the exacta here. KEEP YOUR FEET made good late progress to finish second in his last outing over seven furlongs, but won his penultimate start over this c&d and should be a factor today. 

Race 6

WEAPONSON has finished second in his last two starts over the c&d, the latest when one length behind the winner. He was bumped entering the straight that day and did well to finish as close to the winner as he did. He has a wideish draw of eight but be nevertheless looks to be the one to side with here. SUPER EX put his disappointing penultimate performance behind him to win next time out over this c&d. He will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and could be the immediate danger to the top choice. CITICHANT is a 6yr old mare taking on males and has her first run since a 14-week rest break with no barrier trial. She has however posted consistent formlines and finished up third last time out over 1100M, only 0.6L behind the victor. She jumps from gate nine and should give the boys a good run for their money.    

Race 7

FREE TRADE returns from a 23-week break but won both of his barrier trials to showcase his fitness. He goes for his hat-trick here after his latest victory over seven furlongs by some 2.3L. The drop in trip should not be an issue as he finished third over this distance three runs back. From gate two, he should be right up there when they hit the line. LOCKROY has cracked pole position and chased all the way down to the wire when finishing second last time out over the c&d. He should be involved in the finish today. ESSENTIAL SPICE is a 5yr old mare taking on boys, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a third-place finish next time out over the same distance. She looked a possible winner that day and should be included in all bets. 

Race 8

SILKINIZE had to weave his way through before claiming a head victory in his last start over five furlongs at this track. He should have little problem with the step up in distance as he finished third over the c&d, just over a half-length behind the winner three runs back. From gate seven, he could be the value in the race. CLIFFS OF COMFORT missed out on his hat-trick last time out when ending up in third place over five furlongs, 0.9L back from the winner. He was returning from a 17-week rest that day and if not in need of one more run, he should threaten the top pick. DANNY GEORGE is seldom far off the action and finished fourth last time out over five furlongs, just 1.3L behind the winner. He jumps from gate eight and has his peak run here.  

Race 9

INFLATION has consistent form to his name and was only run out of it very late in last outing over this c&d. He has a handy gate three and should put in another honest performance today. OHBEEH won his penultimate start over the c&d by two lengths and then followed that effort up with a second-place finish over six furlongs, only a head behind the winner. He finished well that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer today will be to his liking. His gate five will do him no harm. DEVOTED STAR is a 5yr old mare taking on males. She played up in the starting stalls in her last outing and was then found to be lame, so that last effort should be totally ignored. She won her penultimate run over five furlongs when finding a strong finish and although draw wideout at gate thirteen, she should be picking off the frontrunner over the closing stages of the contest.