Belmont Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 17 

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

Belmont Tips 17/05/2023

BEST BET 🏆  

Race 5 No. 4 UNCLE GERARD – ($3.40)

Craig Staples will be carrying the stick in the left hand as he heads to the barriers aboard UNCLE GERARD. Staples may have to work for his fee in replacing Troy Turner who is strong on both sides. Uncle Gerard has put in two handy performances over this trip since resuming. Jumped with them first-up then resented being restrained as the pace slackened. The horse wanted to run about into the straight when clear and he finished second to Climb On Top. Still seemed to over-race slightly with the pace on last time. Uncle Gerard had also been inclined to lay-in on Turner as he made ground to finish second again. We’ll hold our breath to see how he jumps with the blinkers going on for the first time. Would think the gear change is a signal allowing Uncle Gerard his head in a race that lacks genuine speed.

NEXT BEST 🥈  

Race 1 No. 2 COSTUME PARTY – ($5)

The early market is enticing us to back COSTUME PARTY in the opener at Belmont Racecourse on Wednesday. Most of the small field of six runners here are resuming from a break. They take on early race favourite Go Go Grommet who was an impressive maiden winner last month. That horse has had another run since and will likely roll forward despite his mannerisms in leaving the gates. Costume Party won over this track and distance when resuming last time in. Chris Parnham settled at the rear of the field before urging his filly to the line. They landed the photo in a Class Three race that day as a $2.50 elect before winning again here a few starts later. Costume Party doesn’t win by big margins; however, does know where the line is and will have something to chase.

BEST VALUE 💰  

Race 9 No. 1 MOJO’S LUCK – ($5.30)

Luke Fernie has MOJO’S LUCK resuming off a break and while finding the claim for Brayden Gaerth. Made ground back to the inside over this track and trip when racing second-up last time in. This run came off the back of a close second in a barrier trial before an even effort over the seven furlongs. That second-up run which was behind The Kelvinator is good enough to see him right in the finish again. We like that Fernie is stepping Mojo’s Luck straight to the 1400 metres this time off the back of a good trial. Gaerth will be looking for cover before finishing strongly in the last with Mojo’s Luck.