On The Money Belmont 10th May

Matt Rigby | On The Money | Sun 12 May, 2013

Turnover was dreadfully low for a Saturday meeting, quite possibly the worst we have seen in the past year. 

Race 1:

No really strong moves in the first. Red Hot Sax was steady around $2.10 and $2.20. The big drifter was Wild Charger who wobbled from $5.50 to $10 and raced accordingly. He's a horse with plenty of ability but must have issues. November Red was also a drifter but that was more likely due to opening at well under the odds ($4.80). He's hopelessly out of form.

Race 2: 

Most surprising in the second were the drifters. Yaloginda eased from $2.40 to $2.90 and Vital Importance, who was heavily backed first up, was surprisingly easy ($4.80 to $6.50). Mythical Trust and Alyssa were steady with only moderate support for Weekend Shadow. Vital Importance was impressive again and I doubt she'll be allowed to drift in similar fashion in future. 

Race 3: 

The two favourites, Moneghetti and Daneclicked were also easy in the third. Daneclicked got out to some great value at $3 while Moneghetti was out the gate ($5.50 to $8.50). The Other Harv ($6.50 - $5) and California Valley ($5.50 to $4.60) were the two they wanted. Neither could manage top two with the money (or lack of) being right on the mark with Moneghetti, who finished last.

Race 4: 

It was one way traffic in the fourth. Hussy By Choice was pumped from $2.50 to $2.20 and Royal Inferno from $10 to $7. Secret Scandal $5.50 to $10, Your Buy $5.50 to $7 and Bomber Bel $4 to $4.80 were all hard to lay. Secret Scandal almost spoiled the party, but O'Donnell just had too much polish in the tight finish. 

Race 5:

Dominating on the track and Dominating in the bookies ring. She was steady early at $5 but was smashed late into $3.90. This left Miss Solis ($3.90 to $5), Thunderluvn ($6.50 to $11) and Geiger Rio ($6 - $7.50) as paupers. Detection was specked from $6 to $5.50 and Final Cut ($31 to $21) and Donnyonetime ($26 to $21) at longer odds. Dominating was super impressive and looks another very talented of the Snitzel progeny. 

Race 6: 

One of the better betting races of the day with decent support for Black Moment, Hardwood, Ellavamoment (at double figures) and Raising Dubai. Namisuki was unlayable ($9 - $12). There was good money for Master Robson ($26 to $15) and surprisingly Theseus ($26 - $18), who was never going to get the trip. Ben Pearce's Raising Dubai won impressively for the in form Jarrad Noske.

Race 7: 

The punters let the bookies off the hook with Shining Knight, drifting from $2.25 to $2.50 and even longer on Betfair. They came strongly for School Rumble ($10 to $6) and to a lesser degree Sealynx ($11 to $7). Those two were not in the same class as Bob Peter's impressive Blackfriars gelding. Return to Rio was impossible to lay and seemed to have issues again. 

Race 8: 

Flag Officer was the one they wanted early in the last, backed from $8 to $7 but got back out late to $8.50. World Domination was a big drifter from $6 to $9 but was pumped late back into $6.50. Stompin was specked at big odds ($26 to $17). Monumental was only specked at near double figures and The Underworld was generally easy from $5.50 to $8 and much longer on Betfair. Big Attitude was a big drifter and mostly unwanted in the ring ($4.20 - $5). The former Belmont Guineas winner, The Underworld, was back to his best and by many reports was the pick of the yard. 

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