Race 1 - 1:17PM AMELIA PARK BEEF MAIDEN (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
First starter Imperial Venus stormed home to find the line impressively for trainer Gavin Foster and jockey Matthieu Autier. The half-brother to city class Falcon Crest looks to have a nice future ahead.
THE GOOD
Bridgy Bardot raced greenly in behind the speed and finished off well for second. Her recent 1000m record suggests that she struggles over any trip further than the five furlongs.
THE BAD
Dixie Win dropping back 1000m probably was not ideal as her better runs in the past have been over 1200m and 1400m. Getting caught three-wide would not have helped either.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Imperial Venus – 33.24
Race 2 - 1:52PM AUTO CLASSIC BMW HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Last start runner-up Bronze Idol shot to the front on jumping and was never headed. Jarrad Noske controlled the race beautifully on the second favourite and saluted at handy odds.
THE GOOD
Double The Pro hit the line soundly for second after sitting just off the speed. He will take a lot out of that experience to the races.
THE BAD
State Attorney started as $1.35 favourite and pulled himself onto the speed outside of Bronze Idol before weakening in the straight. The trip to the races will do him the world of good but a good lesson for punters not to back on hype and trial form.
Race 3 - 2:27PM #BELMONTPARKPERTH HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Harry Thomas sat outside of leader Herron Point and went to the line locked together Ace’s Wish, which enjoyed a comfortable run behind the speed. The judge couldn’t separate them and a dead heat was declared.
THE GOOD
Herron Point fought on well to hold on to second after leading. There will be a win to come soon for the Lindsey Smith-trained gelding.
THE BAD
Unfortunately favourite punters had to halve their dividend which would have made the collect just the little bit sour.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Laurensen – 34.51
Race 4 - 3:05PM TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Yeah Dardy balanced up beautifully in the straight after getting around bolter Shed Talk and found the line just in time when running down Forbidden Planet and Lockroy. Yeah Dardy’s recent trial put the writing on the wall leading into this moderate midweek affair.
THE GOOD
Bregenz was excellent in the lead after being pestered for much of the race by $101 shot Shed Talk. He held on well for fourth.
THE BAD
Shed Talk finished over 20 lengths last and, in doing so, nearly hindered the winning chances of the favourite and eventual winner Yeah Dardy.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Paseo Del Prado – 33.22
Race 5 - 3:40PM SEACORP HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Now senior rider Aaron Mitchell put Cool Knight in the plum position one out and one back behind the speed before wearing down the leaders in the straight. After winning on Yeah Dardy in the previous race, it hasn’t taking long for Mitchell to adapt to seniority in the West Australian jockey ranks.
THE GOOD
Roughead was excellent first up and very good again second up for second, especially considering the son of Al Maher had a throat operation between preparations. Congratulations to Bob McPherson on the wonderful job he has done with the three-year-old.
THE BAD
Rogan Scent was slightly unlucky after Aaron Mitchell on Cool Knight put the Fred Kersley-trained filly on the fence and in a pocket in the early part of the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Roughead – 34.38
Race 6 - 4:15PM WA DAY WEEKEND - FREE ENTRY HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Jackpot Prince had to wait a while for a run in the straight but once an opening came, for jockey Joey Azzopardi, he put paid to the field and won by three lengths.
THE GOOD
Halushi stuck on well for second after sitting outside of the leader. Impresszar, My Fair Beauty and Saxophonist all ran on well into the top five. Saxophonist especially as he was caught three-wide. Eight Double Eight also made up good ground from the tail of the field.
THE BAD
Halavadance was well supported in betting and was backed from $41 into $21 in the betting ring. But, unfortunately for long-odds punters, he was stranded three-wide in running without cover and failed finish off the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jackpot Prince – 35.26
Race 7 - 4:50PM FIFTH LEG HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Supremely handled by apprentice Fred W Kersley was Sharkmouth. Kersley didn’t give up the rail to Hinchinbeel and made him work while holding on to the shortest way home. He saluted for a much-deserved win.
THE GOOD
Hodge Podge flashed home late to run a nice second. The Director looked as though a win is right around the corner when finishing third. And Starkle, at $51, ran an enormous race for fourth to put a bit of value in the first four. Echoes In Time was a black booker also.
THE BAD
Ragnar’s Saga got the snuggest of runs, when settling third in the running line, after Sharkmouth held out Hinchinbeel which allowed Ragnar’s Saga to get the perfect trail. The $2.10 favourite failed to fire a shot in the straight and finished fifth. The ability is there but he needs a win to enhance his confidence levels.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Echoes In Time 34.49
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Aaron Mitchell’s first day as a senior rider was a fruitful one as the former gun apprentice made his mark on the senior West Australian jockey ranks with a double on Yeah Dardy and Cool Knight. Opportunities to ride for some of the best stables in the state have been coming thick and fast for Mitchell. Potentially a hoop who can challenge William Pike in the future?
RIDE OF THE DAY
Despite having the major advantage of barrier one, Fred W Kersley rode a nousy race on Sharkmouth in the Fifth Leg Handicap (1400m). Holding Ragnar’s Saga and then Hinchinbeel one off the fence proved to be the winning move as the gelding kept a clear passage in the straight to boot away and hold on narrowly from Hodge Podge. The young Kersley is sure to ride many more metropolitan winners.
#BelmontParkPerth
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