Racing Preview – Sat 13 June

Belmont Sprint – Belmont, WA
The Group 3 $125,000 Belmont Sprint over 1400 metres is one of the two Group races that are held at Belmont each year. It is an open handicap for three-year-olds and upwards and attracted a large number of nominations with a field of 16 plus 4 emergencies. The scratching of Capuchin means that Roman Time, the first emergency, will get a run.

The topweight is Guyno, the BMW Perth Cup winner, who will carry 59kg. The betting is fairly open with the early market having Roman Time as $6 favourite. Next is Idyllic Prince at $6.50, Kens Double at $7, Spirited One and Tarzi both at $7.50 and Universal Ruler at $8. Kens Double was a fast finishing 4th in the 1200 metre Roma Cup, while Idyllic Prince was 2nd. The grey mare Spirited One ran 7th, but finished strongly.

Jo’s tips: 1. Kens Double, 2. Idyllic Prince, 3. Spirited One

Ipswich Cup – Ipswich, Qld
The Listed $200,000 Channel 7 Ipswich Cup Handicap over 2150 metres has a field of 15 runners. The topweight is Sphenophyta with 58 kg, he won this race 3 years ago. The early favourite is Our Lukas at $4.20, followed by Obvious Choice at $5, Macknuckle at $6, Imvula at $7.50, Veloce Bella at $9 then Cape Breton at $12.

Canberra horse Macknuckle won 2 distance races at Wagga before travelling to Queensland were he came third at Doomben on 23 May, and looks well suited here. Obvious Choice is a good horse with 6 wins and three placings from 11 starts, while Our Lukas is in great form and has won his only start at this track.

Jo’s tips: 1. Macknuckle, 2. Obvious Choice, 3. Our Lukas

Stayers Cup – Rosehill
The $100,000 Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel Stayers Cup over 2400 metres for three-year-olds and upwards has attracted a field of 12. The topweight is Nuclear Sky with 58 kg, and he is also the $6 favourite in the early betting market. The betting is very open, with Deltone, Tangalooma and Diamondsondinside all at $6.50, Prince Arthur at $7.50, Twin Wing and Alexander of Hales both at $8.50 then Keepin’ The Dream at $14.

Tangalooma has had a 4 week break after 2 runs over 3200 metres to freshen him up, and could go well here. Alexander of Hales has won distance races in Ireland, and has not been far away at his 3 starts in this campaign, while Nuclear Sky has earned his weight.

Jo’s tips: 1. Tangalooma, 2. Alexander of Hales, 3. Nuclear Sky r

Don’t forget: For those who follow the jump races, Sandown has the Australian Steeplechase and Australian Hurdle. Danever is $3.20 favourite in the ‘chase and Desert Master and Pentiffic are equal favourites at $4.20 in the Hurdle