Best From The West - July 4

The Jim Taylor trained Secret Nova has returned two encouraging performances to begin this campaign and appears set to peak at Belmont on Saturday.

Nailed late behind the talented First Among Equals first up, Secret Nova went on to finish a close second again, when defeated by the very much in-form Madassa.

Rated marginally below her best, she is yet to miss the money racing third up and looks set to relish the step up to 1200m.

Having placed in all eight career starts, Secret Nova continues to put up form easily good enough to win this and gets in very well after Jerry Noske's claim.

Due to line up in the first leg of the Quaddie, Secret Nova is likely to adopt a forward position from the awkward draw with the Neville Parnham trained Inok the expected leader.

Currently installed a 5-2 chance appears a more than worthy gamble as while we do respect the chances of last start winner Grey Enigma, we have Secret Nova marked closer to 7-4.

Your fate is likely to be decided fairly early on, as if able to cross and box-seat the race looks to pan out very well for the daughter of So Secret.

If forced do too much work early, she obviously will be left vulnerable late in the piece.

Nonetheless at her current quote she presents a good overlay and more than happy to side her way.

The Fred Kersley trained North Ridge is not adopting the usual path towards a 2000m event, however his raw talent is sure to carry him a long way.

Unseen since his impressive win at this track over 1400m, the son of Danehill Express will now step up sharply in trip off a 28 day break (far from ideal).

However he is clearly talented winning three of his five starts and many will argue he would have in fact won the Belmont Guineas had he lined up.

The best price currently on offer about his chances is 4-1, luxurious odds if he can stay the trip on Saturday.

Using predictive ratings we have him marked closer to a 2-1 chance and are more than happy to take the gamble presented to us.

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 5 #6 Secret Nova @ $3.50

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 6 #2 North Ridge @ $5.00