Nine races will be run and won at Belmont this Saturday with the Listed Raconteur Stakes set to headline the program. . The rail will be out 8m for the entire circuit and track is currently rated a soft ..
We've had a close look at all nine events on the card and our thoughts can be found below.
RACE 1 - 1:59AM: AMELIA PARK PLATE 2YO (1000 METRES)
West Star has just had the two races starts and looks to have plenty of upside.
The Playing God gelding kicked off his career with a solid effort at Ascot back in December, where he was very green but showed good natural speed.
Given time to mature, he resumed here late last month and was dominant over the final stages, kicking away to salute by over two lengths.
He's still very raw, suggesting there's improvement to come and with that run under his belt, he looks the one to beat here.
Chris Parnham has partnered him in both raceday outings and he'll again do the steering for Simon Miller.
1 unit – WEST STAR
RACE 2 - 2:34AM: BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP RTG+78 (1000 METRES)
Yonga Lass will kick off her campaign.
Prepared by Grant and Alana Williams, the mare really came of age last preparation, winning five of her seven starts, culminating in a Group Three victory.
She proved far too good when resuming last time in, and her win at Ascot in December was nothing short of outstanding. A long last at the top of the straight, she scorched down the outside to score by three quarters of a length, really stamping herself as a quality galloper.
The big query here is the distance.
She's yet to be tried under 1300m but she looked sharp in a recent Larkham trial over 950m.
With over months since here last run, she's super fresh, I think class will take her a long way and the booking of Pike certainly adds confidence.
1 unit – YONGA LASS
RACE 3 - 3:09PM: NATIONAL PUMP AND ENERGY HANDICAP 1MW (1000 METRES)
Berbere resumes off a long break.
The four year old son of Gingerbread Man has put together a tidy record, saluting in three of his six raceday appearances and he looks to have returned in top order, with two very pleasing trials.
Unbeaten in two first up outings and with the winkers on for the first time, there's a lot to like about him.
Willy Pike knows him well and will take the mount for Grant and Alana Williams.
1 unit – BERBERE
RACE 4 - 3:45PM: TABTOUCH - WESTSPEED PLATINUM WINTER SERIES HEAT 2 NMW (1200 METRES)
Capricorn Man was terrific when resuming over 1000m here late last month.
Boasting a very impressive second up record, he's sure to have taken improvement from the outing and the rise to 1200m looks ideal.
Sent to the paddock after a couple of below par performances, the four year old looks to have returned in top order and drops back in grade off that first up run.
He does rise in the weights but still gets in nicely with the claim for Madi Derrick and with the advantage of the inside draw, he'll be hard to beat.
1 unit – CAPRICORN MAN
RACE 5 - 4:24PM: STUDCO HANDICAP RTG66+ (1200 METRES)
It's hard to go past Twain's Angel as she looks to maintain her unbeaten record.
The Toronado filly has taken all before her and will line up here hoping to make it six straight wins.
Prepared by Sean and Jake Casey, she's been allowed to work through her grades gradually and again looks ideally placed as she stays at that rating 66 level.
Over this track and distance she was able to put them away fairly comfortably last start and this doesn't look any tougher.
Madi Derrick has formed a wonderful association with the filly, having partnered her in all of the raceday and trial appearances, she stays in the saddle and with her 1.5kg claim, she gets in nicely.
1 unit – TWAIN'S ANGEL
RACE 6 - 5:04PM: PETERS INVESTMENTS HANDICAP RTG66+ (2200 METRES)
Citino comes off a very impressive last start performance over this track and distance.
Having his first start past 1800m, the son of Demerit shot to the front 200m out and looked to have the race in the bag but was just collared late by Fat Roy Slim who charged through along the inside.
He has continued to improve as he's stretched out over further and he will have plenty of benefit from that outing.
The wide gate shouldn't worry him as he'll get back and will be doing his best work late under Chris Parnham, who stays in the saddle.
1 unit – CITINO
RACE 7 - 5:40PM: FREE ENTRY TO BELMONT PARK HANDICAP RTG72+ (1400 METRES)
Stormy Tawny resumed with a very encouraging effort over 1200m here and she will have taken plenty of benefit from the run.
The Oratorio mare was doing her best work late on that occasion and she'll appreciate the rise to 1400m.
A winner of six from thirteen, she's highly talented and she has won second up previously.
Pike stays in the saddle and with any luck form the wide gate, she'll be right in this.
1 unit – STORMY TAWNEY
RACE 8 - 6:15PM: RACONTEUR STAKES LISTED (1400 METRES)
Super Smink hasn't had much go her way this campaign and is certainly due for a change of luck.
The Super One filly was always wide when resuming in the The Quokka and it tolled late, then at her following outing in the Group 3 Stakes Northam Stakes, she found herself a long way back and never really got into it.
Held up for the majority of the straight last start, she hit the line well once clear but it was all too late.
A three time stakes winner, she's proven herself a quality filly, she presents here hard fit and the rise to 1400m will suit.
Lucy Fiore takes the mount for Daniel Morton and from the wide gate, she'll go back and with clear running will be charging home late.
1 unit – SUPER SMINK
RACE 9 - 6:50PM: MRS MAC'S HANDICAP 1MW (1400 METRES)
Californication has the job ahead with the big weight and wide gate but I think he has the class to get the job done.
Only lightly raced, the son of Preferment has raced consistently throughout his ten start career and has been very good in two runs back from a break.
He proved too good when resuming over 1200m at Kalgoorlie and last start, over this track and trip it was a horror watch as he found himself held up behind runners for the majority of the straight.
He gets a new rider and new trainer, with Chris Parnham to do the steering for Garry McPherson.
1 unit – IOWNA MERC
