Track: Soft 5 Weather: Showers

There are 10 runners for the Belmont Classic this year with 5 fillies and 5 geldings. Seven are tackling the 2200m for the first time. Three of the geldings had their last start in the Listed Aquanita Stakes over 2000m at Belmont on 6th July (won by Cool Memory), while all 5 of the fillies had their last start in the Listed Belmont Oaks over 2000m on 6th July (won by Petrouchka). Grant & Alana Williams train 2 runners.

The early favourite is Belmont Oaks winner Petrouchka who won in a faster time than the boys. Second favourite is Aquanita Stakes runner-up Weeraechoux who came home with the best closing splits. Third favourite is Lyrical Angel who kept coming steadily for 3rd in the Belmont Oaks. Antique Queen is the only one of the fillies to have tackled 2200m before when she was runner-up at this distance 3 starts ago at Bunbury, while Cruise To Rio was 1.8 lengths 5th in the Belmont Oaks after being held up. The other runners are currently $14 or longer.

1. Weeraechoux (4)

Aquanita Stakes runner-up who came home with the best closing splits. Should be in the finish.

2. Manzor Magic (9)

Won 2 races in a row before making some ground to finish 4th in the Aquanita. Chance.

3. Idyllic Ruler (2)

Kept coming steadily for 3rd i the Aquanita. Place chance.

4. The Candy Kid (1)

Was a 3 length winner of a Kalgoorlie maiden 3 starts back. Prefer others.

5. Ocean Ranger (5)

Ran on strongly to win a Pinjarra maiden over 1800m last start. Had the best closing splits and looks to have staying potential. Not the worst.

6. Petrouchka (7)

Belmont Oaks winner who won in a faster time than the boys. Top pick.

7. Lyrical Angel (3)

Kept coming steadily for 3rd in the Belmont Oaks. Don’t dismiss.

8. Cruise To Rio (6)

Was 1.8 lengths 5th in the Belmont Oaks after being held up. Looking to others.

9. Antique Queen (10)

The only one of the fillies to have tackled 2200m before when she was runner-up at this distance 3 starts ago at Bunbury. One of the chances.

10. Wife Says Yes (8)

She led early but tired in the last 200m of the Belmont Oaks. Looks tested.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
6 Petrouchka
9 Antique Queen
1 Weeraechoux
5 Ocean Ranger

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Weeraechoux
2nd	6 Petrouchka	0.4 length
3rd	2 Manzor Magic	3.8 lengths
4th	9 Antique Queen	4.5 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratching: 3. Idyllic Ruler.