Courtesy The West Australian website:

Stakes totalling more than $7 million will be paid at the Belmont Park season which opens on Saturday and stewards are confident a track upgrade can further boost the course's reputation.

Contractors have reconstructed a section of track which often became heavy after rain and the work should ensure Belmont continues to be recognised as Australia's best all-weather racecourse.

"Portions of track between the 1600m and 1400m posts have sometimes deteriorated in recent winters," chief steward John Zucal said yesterday. "That part of the course was ripped up and had better drainage installed after Belmont racing closed last spring.

"The reconstructed area has consolidated well and Belmont's entire track will now be in top order for Saturday's re-opening."

WA Turf Club track and maintenance manager Geoff Murphy said yesterday that Belmont, to host 45 race days in the next five months, should not be hit by meeting postponements or cancellations.

"The Belmont racing surface was elevated 28 years ago and became a high standard track for wet weather conditions," Murphy said. "It has generally needed only relatively minor maintenance work.

"In contrast, a number of city race clubs in the eastern States have been forced to spend millions of dollars to clear drainage problems on their courses."

Feature events at Belmont this season will include the $75,000 Western Meat Packers Roma Cup (1200m) on May 31, the $60,000 Belmont Sprint (1400m) two weeks later and the $50,000 Winter Cup (2400m) on July 5.

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Ta me go maith

Return to Belmont today, and a return to the winners list for Gilligan's Girl :wink:

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Ta me go maith

Belmont tomorrow - Wednesday 25th June.

Suggest you keep an eye on the track condition - heavy rain predicted for Perth.

R1: Not much between Air Pocket, River Mist & Lionheart - should fight it out. A few facing the starter for the first, including Uncle Graham & Reinvented - watch for any betting moves.

R2: Willing to risk likely favs Lakeside Rhythm & Polish Reign. Try Frozen Assets EW.

R3: Seems to be a lack of genuine pace in this race. So if you like one that you think can lead, go for it. For mine a little EW Wandoo Park.

R4: Nice win by Birthday Boys last start, could go on with it. Indigo King meets BB better on weights and could turn the table. Nice run by Ivory Lane two starts back over 2000m. Le Guerisseur Bleu a chance at odds.

R5: Brave Rhythm very hard to beat. Duel acceptor Say Easy & True Vain have been thereabouts recently. Jolly Jude normally runs well fresh.

R6: Hanshandi very disappointing last start. A repeat of her previous start would see her hard to beat. Like the win of Supreme Sally last start and has to be a strong chance. Seeking Quality, Mellabella & Candy Surprise also chances.

R7: One of the hardest races on the program. Willing to risk likely fav Scenic Cruise. A little EW Lady Avonlea.

R8: The other hardest race on the program. Perhaps Any Beat, Condition or Crystal Clear.

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Out in front - you make your own luck!

Well done El Gordo, nice win with Lady Avonlea at 7-1 and some good place divvies in amongst your picks, as well as the exacta with Any Beat and Condition. Nice work. If you have any thoughts on Perth races for Thursday, I have day off and always appreciate your picks.

Cheers,
Cosmo

Thanks Cosmo. With a bit more luck we would have had a really good day. Thought we had a very nice winner with Le Guerisseur Bleu ($11+ place in NSW) but the winner was a little bit stronger over the last bit.

Not sure of state of track at Northham today, reports a lot of rain in Perth overnight and I understand Northam is only an hour or so inland.

R5: Fimmos Fantasy should be ready to win at 3rd run back from a spell. Shep has been thereabouts recently. Spare That Tree normally races well fresh. Zirconia Queen a rough hope.

R6: Guarded Answer very hard to beat. Royal Waltz and Surtees Storm dangers. Gear change could improve Charge And Hire. Border Lord a rough hope.

R7: Hard race. Topweight Fearnought a good chance, although is 2nd up. Nacre Maker if it can handle 1st up. Celtic Dance and Express That Smile EW's at value.....and I still could have missed the winner!

R8: Another open race. Do like Sovereign Row. Sunspark and Maroona good chances.
Dekko likes this track. Sharach will be running on. Rough hope Warrigal......and again I still could have missed the winner!

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Out in front - you make your own luck!

Yeah El Gordo, Le Guerrisseur Bleu was close at around 40-1, and Mellabella at $5 place. Great work. Many thanks for posting for today's races. Don't get much form here in Qld for Perth races, which is hard to comprehend as they are running during twilight time here and have no gallops competition. I enjoy having exotics in Perth so your thoughts are much appreciated.

Cheers,
Cosmo

Some tidy results last two days El Gordo, well done.

Nice quinella Shep and Spare That Tree today.
Almost repeated same in the last with Sovereign Row and Warrigal.


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All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-06-26 23:16 ]

Belmont tomorrow - Wednesday 2nd July.

R1: River Mist looks the best of the raced brigade. Watch for any betting moves - first starters.

R2: Only eights starters, but many chances. Barney Boy hard to beat. You Are My Hero nice run last start. Super Tom and Pi Meson EW chances perhaps at good odds.

R3: Another open event. Perhaps the topweight Marooned Prince from the consistent Ivory Lane. Noble Sheikh, Cossack Angel and Uno Jack all chances on their best form.

R4: Bay Draco the testing material. Frank The Bank will be improved by his last start effort. Other chances include Broadcasting, Regal Tactic and Magic Flyer.

R5: Best of the on-pace horses appear to be Bonnie Brae, Crown Witness and Flutique. Running on should be Make Mine Scotch, Trimagic and Requisition.

R6: May not be a lot of speed in this race, which would not suit the topweight Rock N Ruby, which is still a good chance. Hanshandi suited, but last start was way below best. Seemingly Rich, Latour and Megadash likely leaders and if any get a soft run in front will be hard to run down. Supreme Sally and Rusty's Smile also need need pace on to show their best.

R7: Should be no shortage of pace in this race. For this reason going for the likely swooper Rubiton Wave. Others with a good chance include Double Jewel, Ebony Magic, Femme and Placid Park.

R8: Bosse's Mate and Snooze Control hard to hold out. Demarche, Earl Of Tenby, Jolly Jude and Co Striker also chances. Toy Salute a rough hope.

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Out in front - you make your own luck!

Hi El Gordo, generally concur with your summation for today based on a dead or better track. Unfortunately the track is slow and could get worse with further predicted rain – adds to the uncertainty.

Track likely to be slow or worse on Saturday – steady rain predicted for next few days.

Did also like Rubiton Wave today, but has been scratched. Has been nominated for Saturday.

Personally I don’t usually invest on Belmont mid-weeks, tracks are often worse than dead and / or the ‘class’ of horse running around are no better than out-of-town meetings.

Might have a little EW on Ruready in race 3. Has had 3 runs here since coming over from NSW, stepping up to a suitable distance and has won over 1900m at Canterbury on a heavy track.

Might also invest a little in Pi Meson in the 2nd. Small field should suit, all the better for 2 runs from a spell and was placed over 1200m this time last year on a slow track running on strongly.

Other than that saving my money for the weekend.

Good luck with your tips.


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All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-07-02 10:49 ]

get on femme today fellas. and have a saver on beautiful bon bon. both love the 1000 metres and both are top race horses