3 minute read
The Brett Pope stable has been in real purple patch of form of late and expect their talented sprinter Hans Up to prove far too good for his rivals when he lines up at Belmont on Saturday.
Set to line up in the sixth race of the day the progressive son of Hurricane Sky tasted his first defeat at start number six last start when he was never a hope after he blew the start badly.
Bounding in the air when the gates opened Hans Up was a long way off his rivals early and was spotting the leaders close to 10L when making the turn for home.
Suffering plenty of interference down the straight his performance to get within two lengths of the winner was simply outstanding and there is no question that if he jumped with them than he would have won by panels.
More notably the form out of the race has since proven very strong with three individual winners to have already come out of the race including Dueton, Tiger Pete and It's A Merc.
Coming into the race as the highest rated galloper further boasts his chances and given he is still open to further improvement it is clear he should prove far too good for his rivals.
Though drawn awkwardly expect Turner to press forward from the wide draw and settle just off the speed.
Having already showcased his electric turn of foot he should be too strong for his rivals over the concluding stages as there doesn't appear a galloper with enough ability to trouble him.
Currently installed an even money chance across the board does seem short at first glance however he was installed the 5-4 favourite in tougher company last start and now drops back significantly in grade.
On our figures we have rated between a $1.60 and a $1.75 and will gladly take the price on offer.
Will only able to salute the judge twice at his last nine starts the Ben Pearce trained Danablue gets one of his best chances to break back into the winner's stall on Saturday.
Having continued to show good improvement with each start this time in one can argue he has been very unfortunate to not have won a few more races given he has finished second at three of his last five starts.
Although no match for Accrual last start his performance still had plenty of merit and sees him rated the top galloper leading into this affair.
While the last race does appear a very open affair we have him marked considerably ahead of his rivals and see the current price of 9-2 as a more than fair gamble.
Likely to press forward from the wide draw he appears very well placed with Ben Patterson's 2kg claim and is expected to take plenty of beating.
The Bruce Watkins and Gary Hitchcock trained Rose Of Choice is the current favourite for the fourth race off the back of her narrow victory at this track and trip last start.
While impressive in the run home this does appear a good deal harder on Saturday and we can't justify her current quote.
We have both Double Jester and Verscene as stronger winning hopes and are more than happy to take on Rose Of Choice.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
Banker: Race 6 #2 Hans Up @ $2.00
Play of the day: Race 8 #6 Danablue @ $5.50
Lay of the day: Race 4 #4 Rose Of Choice @ $3.20