Geelong Preview & Best Bets - Wednesday January 4
Belmont Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday January 4
Our form expert provides Belmont tips for today’s horse racing at Belmont Racecourse and gives his best bets.
Belmont Tips 4/01/2023
BEST BET 🏆
Race 1 No. 4 WAR HYMN – ($4.40)
Holly Watson can take advantage of a soft pace map in the first with WAR HYMN who looks to get a soft lead. Simon Miller brings his mare to the races fitter for the two runs back while showcasing our favoured spell four two system. Showed good pace from out wide when resuming over this track and trip. War Hymn remained in the hunt until she weakened deep into the furlong. She followed that effort behind Brave Venture to go to the line with Night Shift here with those two leaving gaps back to the rest.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 2 No. 1 LIEUTENANT DUNBAR – ($4.20)
The claim of Keshaw Dhurun keeps LIEUTENANT DUNBAR right in this race off an outside draw. Lieutenant Dunbar had put in two forward showings during his trials here for trainer George Dupre. Dupre then unleashed the big striding unit at Ascot where he got his head up in the air as he resented being restrained. Chris Parnham sent him out after Art Of Sabrage from the top of the straight to no avail. Lieutenant Dunbar did keep the rest at bay while failing to make any impression on the winner. Parnham speared him to the early lead at his next start and was made to work to cross from the wide gate. Lieutenant Dunbar had wobbled off the fence into the straight and continued to race greenly under pressure. Boxed on bravely into the placings and should be better again for the experience.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 4 No. 5 THOROGOOD – ($9.50)
William Pike makes the late alteration rider for THOROGOOD who holds a peak speed rating over this track and distance. That was when racing fourth-up last prep. He does come into this only third-up this time in, including off a fast-finishing win when resuming over 1200 metres at Pinjarra. We would expect Birdieagle to use his tactical speed to advantage and lead this small field. That horse has most of these covered through his formline, including a recent half-length victory over Mahaleo. Thorogood had been racing outside of Mahaleo when these two horses met at Ascot last start. The luckless Thorogood switched back to the inside on straightening to remain untested to the line. Will find an unimpeded run here and may test these if Pike can have him close enough.
