Best From The West - July 18

Although failing to fire first up Red Ora displayed sharp improvement last start and appears set to peak at Belmont on Saturday.

Unbeaten from his first five starts, the son of Due Sasso continued to raise the bar last time in before failing to live up to that mark when returning two starts back.

An alarming drifter on that occasion, Red Ora produced his worse performance of his career, when finishing fifth behind Sujet.

While obviously disappointing, he was back on track last start when only narrowly beaten over 1300m.

Obviously appreciating the step up in trip, Red Ora produced his equal best performance of his career and now appears open to further improvement.

While a good competitive affair on paper, Red Ora looks to hold a distinct class edge and gets the added bonus of Jerry Noske's 1.5kg claim.

From the rails draw Red Ora is likely to settle just off midfield, with the Lindsey Smith trained Mr Motown the likely front-runner along with Secret Nova and Pernella Miss.

As much as 7-2 is being bet about Red Ora's chances, which appears well over the odds as based on his last start performance we have Red Ora marked the even money favourite.

Red Ora is unbeaten in three attempts over this trip and if able to continue his upward spiral he sets a decent standard in the third event.

The Fred Kersley trained North Ridge proved very game in defeat last start and appears more than capable of returning to the winner's stall in the fifth event.

In what appears a pretty thin renewal of the Listed Belmont Classic, North Ridge clearly heads the leading chances.

A key sectional star behind Tradesman, North Ridge was notably a month between runs and was making the sharp rise from 1400m to 2000m, a poor recipe for success.

Under the circumstances his performance was huge, further bolstered by the fact he was a key sectional star.

North Ridge clearly possesses the most scope in this line up and if able to settle closer he can make light work of his rivals.

Close to 2-1 is being offered about his chances and if priced aggressively we have him marked the odds-on favourite aka BET UP!

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 3 #1 Red Ora @ $4.50

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 5 #2 North Ridge @ $3.00