3 minute read

Best Bets for Belgravia Stakes Day at Ascot.

Racing in the west heads to Ascot this Saturday with the Belgravia Stakes for the three-year-old's the feature event on the day.

It's a mouthwatering day of racing across the country of course, with the Cox Plate set to go between races three and four on the Ascot card.

Ground staff have placed the rail in the 6m position for the entire circumference, with the track rated a Good 4 on Thursday morning with fine weather expected through to race day.

The Belgravia is a fascinating race in 2024, with the current favourite for both the W.A. Guineas and the Group 1 Northerly Stakes currently NOT favourite for the Belgravia.

There's plenty of hype around September Born, the brother to Group 1 winner Kay Cee, with connections drawing comparisons between the two after just one start.

Raced by the same connections, September Born is $3.75* for the W.A. Guineas and $8* for the Northerly Stakes, but sits on the second line of betting for his return to racing on Saturday.

It must be remembered that while all the talk and hype mean something, it is all just noise until the colt can show us what he's capable of on race day.

For comparison, Horcrux is rated 88 with Racing and Sports vs. an R&S rating of 89 for September Born. Horcrux is $11* compared to September Born's $3.50* quote, despite being rated alongside each other from their lone start. 

This isn't saying September Born can't win the Belgravia, but it's something worth noting before diving into the hype and backing him blindly.

West Star comes into the race rated 101+ with R&S following his fast-finishing second in the Max Simmonds Stakes over 1000m last time out.

While this is his first try at 1200m, his sectionals - particularly from his past two starts - suggests the extra furlong is nothing to worry about.

His best figure (prior to last start) when sitting close to a good tempo and blowing them off the park in fast time back in June, and this looks to set up similarly second-up with an inside draw.

He'll sit much closer than he did last start and with improvement expected, he's a deserved favourite and will make the task of beating him even harder for those who need to jump in their ratings.

Going early in the card for my Best Bet of the day, with LET'S TALK in race three catching my eye.

The lightly raced four-year-old was backed into favouritism last start and was left standing still when the sprint went on turning for home. His last furlong was very impressive and indicated that getting out further in trip is the ideal play.

While he has drawn out wide, he possesses good early speed and can offset the barrier draw. Not only that, but the son of I'm All the Talk will meet his main rival better at the weights this time around.

Although Ain't No Other Man was a good winner last start, Let's Talk was taking plenty of ground off him late and he is a big niggle over the Ascot 1200m.

The market expected Let's Talk to run to a Racing and Sports rating of 90 last start, and if he can run up to those market expectations today, he can be turning the tables on his rivals.

It's been hard to ignore what ROYAL TORONADO has doing of late. The horse is absolutely flying, but just hasn't had the best of luck. I'm hoping that can change in race six on the card despite his wide draw.

That's obviously the niggle with him as he'll be a long way off the leaders in running, but it may also be a blessing in disguise.

He was caught in a slowly run race two back before being held up as the race unfolded ahead of him last start, with the inside barrier hurting him there.

Although he will be back in the run, the draw gives Lucy Fiore the chance to race in the three-wide trail and work into the race as she pleases down the side of the course.

The sectionals and his ratings suggest he is bursting to win a race, and at his current price he's definitely worth a ticket.

The Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 3 #7 LET'S TALK @ $3.20*

Value Play: Race 6 #10 ROYAL TORONADO @ $9* and $3.20*

Also backing: Race 7 #3 ALMIGHTY CLASS @ $3.20*

*All prices correct as of 3:45pm, October 24