Belmont Newmarket – 2023

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There are 9 runners for the Belmont Newmarket this year. They are all geldings with one 5YO, two 6YOs, three 7YOs, two 8YOs and one 10YO. Six runners had their last start in the Listed H.G. Bolton Sprint over 1200m at Belmont on 22 July,  two in the Ngawyni Stakes over 1000m on 29 July and the other hasn’t started since the Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m on 10 June. Two runners are sired by Dream Ahead. Chris & Michael Gangemi have 2 runners.

The early favourite is Phanta who won the Bolton Sprint last start when resuming from a spell. Second favourite is Bitofmerit who was held up on straightening and made some late ground from well back to finish 10th in that race. Third favourite is Nerodio who won this race lat year and finished 4th in the Bolton Sprint. Panzdown made good ground in the final 175m to finish 2nd in the Bolton, while Notorious One hasn’t started for 9 weeks after running 5th in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m, which looked too far for him. The other runners are currently $10 or longer.

1. Nerodio (6)

This 8YO Playing God gelding won this race last year with the same trainer and jockey combination. He has won 11 of his 33 starts and all his wins have been at this track. He got snagged back to 11th in the Bolton Sprint and did well to finish 4th. Carries 1kg more than he had for his win last year and is one of the chances again.

2. Comes A Time (2)

Has struggled in both starts this preparation, and finished 9 lengths 11th in the Bolton. Looking to others.

3. Notorious One (1)

One of 2 runners for Chris & Michael Gangemi (the other is Phanta). He hasn’t started for 9 weeks after running 5th in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m, which looked too far for him. Prefer him over a bit further than 1200m.

4. Phanta (7)

Led all the way to win the Bolton Sprint last start when resuming from a spell. Won by over a length and a half and goes up 2kg from that run. Looks capable of winning again.

5. Western Temple (9)

He is 10 years old, and the oldest horse to win this race was nine-year-old Medicine Kid in 1993. He resumed from a 37 week spell for 3rd in the Bolton Sprint and normally improves second-up. History is against him winning but he can place here.

6. Bitofmerit (3)

Was held up on straightening and made some late ground from well back to finish 10th in the Bolton. Has disappointed at his last 2 starts and prefer others.

7. Eeyore Wayz (5)

If the race was over 1000m he’d probably be my top pick, but he has only won one of 12 starts over 1200m. Prefer him over 1000m.

8. Excellent Dream (8)

One of 2 runners sired by Dream Ahead (the other is Western Temple). Blinkers go back on. No wins in 7 attempts at this track and distance combination. Prefer others.

9. Panzdown (4)

Made good ground in the final 175m to finish 2nd in the Bolton. Likes the cut in the ground and should be in the finish.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Phanta
1 Nerodio
9 Panzdown
5 Western Temple

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4 Phanta
2nd	2 Comes A  Time	0.25 length
3rd	8 Excellent Dream	2.11 lengths
4th	1 Nerodio	2.61 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5

There were no scratchings.