Oakbank Preview & Best Bets - Wednesday January 18
Belmont Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday January 18
Our form expert provides Belmont tips for today’s horse racing at Belmont and gives his best bets.
Belmont Tips 18/01/2023
BEST BET 🏆
Race 1 No. 4 BISECTOR – ($2.50)
Holly Watson allowed BISECTOR to stride forward and lead under her own steam during the filly’s recent barrier trial. Bisector had them all chasing down to the 100 metres before Watson finally asked of her mount. She lengthened quickly to come away from the others again in a nice trial where she wasn’t knocked around too much while running okay time. Bisector had shown good speed throughout her first prep and did so again when she landed as a good winner for us first-up. That was over 1100 metres at Ascot, and we believe she’ll be okay back to 1000 metres on the bigger track of Belmont.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 2 No. 4 LIEUTENANT DUNBAR – ($3.40)
Faring better at the barrier draw keeps LIEUTENANT DUNBAR right in this race and we’ll be keen to stick. Lieutenant Dunbar had put in two forward showings during his trials here for trainer George Dupre. Chris Parnham sent him out after Art Of Sabrage from the top of the straight to no avail when resuming. He then speared him to the early lead at his next start while working to cross from the wide gate. Lieutenant Dunbar had wobbled off the fence into the straight and continued to race greenly. Boxed on into the placings for us under Keshaw Dhurun as our best each-way bet last time with Valsassina sailing on by. Gains the positive rider change of Brad Parnham and can go one better here on Wednesday.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 5 No. 2 STORM LORD – ($5.50)
Ryan Hill can repeat the dose with STORM LORD following his first-up win under Victoria Corver. Corver gave her mount a lovely trail into the race early when following a tearaway leader over this track and trip. Storm Lord took over soon after straightening to deny Strictly Cash who challenged all the way up the straight. This was a tough win, and it was pleasing to see Storm Lord return as a winner after we backed him to score at double figures prior to being tipped out. Hill finds a race where Corver can have the horse out and leading with little pressure early and Storm Lord must be considered again.
