Preview & Best Bets – Belmont 09 August

Our form expert provides Belmont tips for today’s horse racing at Belmont Racecourse and gives his best bets. 

Belmont 09/08/2023

BEST BET 🏆  

Race 3 No. 3 EMPRESS OF INDIA ($2.60)

Ascot trainer Dion Luciani has William Pike riding EMPRESS OF INDIA who will strip fitter for her first-up run. Brad Parnham was on that day and he gave Empress Of India a nice trail behind the winner Rupert’s Empire over this track and trip. He proved too speedy for the mare who kept trying to the line as Rupert’s Empire tired late. The second placing from Empress Of India follows a sharp jump out win over 400 metres. Drawn well and should have taken plenty of benefit from her race day hitout.

NEXT BEST 🥈  

Race 5 No. 5 GALANCY ($4.80)

Man of the moment Joseph Azzopardi can add to his already impressive tally of winners this early in the season as he takes the ride aboard GALANCY. Trainer Vernon Brockman collected the cash when Galancy led first-up to deny Spirit Of Gerry over 1300 metres here two starts ago. Spirit Of Gerry came in with consistent form as she worked her way from maiden grade and looks to have the makings of a genuine racehorse. Galancy was then beaten for early pace before Chris Parnham kept at him to chase the leader over the same trip. They went silly fast out in front and Galancy was brave enough to finish just in behind the placings. He’ll be further improved by those couple of runs and won’t mind the step back to 1200 metres.

BEST VALUE 💰  

Race 6 No. 3 COCOON BAY ($6.30)

Shaun McGruddy will be looking for some cover from his wide gate on COCOON BAY at Belmont Racecourse on Wednesday. Ascot trainer Steve Wolfe will be happy enough with his charge going first-up into the race over 1200 metres. The mare settled off the speed in a recent trial under Jade McNaught and showed beautiful movement before the turn to put herself into the trial. Cocoon Bay looked to have had enough fitness wise inside the furlong and McNaught did not knock her about in winning that trial. She’s not an overly big mare and we would think it won’t take much to bring her on. Don’t mind her being drawn outside of horses either, providing McGruddy can get some luck in finding that cover early.