The Adam Durrant trained Gladstone is racing in career best form and appears the best bet of the day at Belmont on Saturday, in what is a fairly competitive meeting.
After having the meeting abandoned last Saturday, we are hoping for a bit more luck this time around, and recent history suggests it hard to go wrong sticking with the Adam Durrant stable.
Durrant begins the new season following his most successful (2013/14) to date when recording an overall strike rate of 23%.
He trained over 100 winners and at Belmont, Durrant had a strike rate of 26% and notably ran at a POT of +11.2%.
With William Pike aboard the Durrant stable had a strike rate of 43% and ran at a POT of 34%, all key statistics which point to Gladstone being very hard to beat in the second event.
Successful in recording a new career peak last start the son of Dylan Thomas has enjoyed a purple patch of form and the marginal drop back in trip appears ideal.
Unable to run down Rive Gauche last start, Gladstone was clearly unsuited by the slow tempo and his performance had plenty of merit.
In nine attempts at Belmont he has placed on seven occasions and has placed in three of four attempts with Pike engaged.
From the favourable draw he should able to position up closer to the speed and prove very hard to gun down in the straight.
Currently installed a 5-2 chance appears more than fair as we have him installed a $2.70 chance, and are more than happy to take the current price on offer.
Although her stablemate (Highly Secret) remains the favourite in the sixth event, the Grant Williams trained Midnight Shimmer does appear good value at her current quote.
Dropping back in trip, following her close second placing last start, the daughter of Blackfriars does appear well placed on best form.
She has finished second in two of four attempts this time in and has placed in five of eight attempts at this track.
While some query at the trip, she is expected to roll forward from the middle draw and settle right up on the speed.
With the aid of the claim she carries just 2.5kg above the minimum and if able to hold her form, she does appear a strong winning hope.
As much as 7-1 is currently on offer about her chances, which does appear over the odds, as we have her half that quote in our market.
BET OF THE DAY: Race 2 #5 Gladstone @ $3.50
EACH-WAY PLAY: Race 6 #4 Midnight Shimmer @ $8.00
