Track: Heavy Weather: Shower or two

A small field of six are set to line up for the $100,000 Belmont Classic.  All six had their last start in one of two key lead up races.  Four ran in the Listed Aquanita Stakes and two ran in the Listed Belmont Oaks.  The early favourite in the betting is the Adam Durrant trained Tena Koutou.  He lengthened nicely to take out the Aquanita here last start and is unbeaten on soft ground.  Next in the betting is Chili Is Hot.  This three year old filly wouldn’t be denied as she fended off Sheza Chalmer to win the Belmont Oaks and is another who has shown a liking to soft ground.  Tradem’ In moved into Aquanita stylishly on the turn and battled on to run fourth.   Baronova gets the wizard of the West William Pike on for the first time.  Truly Reliable found the line well after being held up last start, while Kerman Rock will roll forward and make his own luck up on speed.

1. Kerman Rock

Ran a good second in the Belmont Guineas before starting favourite in the Aquanita and weakening out to run fifth after sitting outside a strong tempo.  Should get an easier run in transit here however is yet to fire on soft ground and he has a poor winning strike rate having won just one of seventeen.

2. Tena Koutou

Tena Koutou is attempting to win four in a row here.  Latest he stepped sharply in grade to win the Listed Aquantia by 2 lengths coming from off the pace.  Capable of settling closer this time and loves wet conditions.  Hard to beat again.

3. Tradem’ in

Very honest customer who is rock hard fit and racing well.  He may of peaked on his run late last start after attempting the big sweeping run from the back.  Drawn to get a much more economical run here.  In the mix.

4. Truly Reliable

Going really well.  He finished third in the Aquanita and was as strong as any runner through the line.  Drawn to get a soft run from barrier one and has a good each way chance here.

5. Chili Is Hot

They rode her much closer to the speed in the Belmont Oaks and it proved successful as she fought off the short price favourite Sheza Chalmer.  Love the big gap back to the third placed horse as well!  She goes really well at this track and can win again here.

6. Baronova

Ended a run of three consecutive wins with a sixth in the fast run Belmont Oaks on July 3.  She was held up as they turned for home but didn’t exactly savage the line once clear.  The booking of William Pike is a big tick but she needs to improve on her last start.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Listed Oaklands Plate 2021 (Morphettville 1400m)