Racing
The Best From The West - 17th of May, 2025
Best Bets for Opening Day at Belmont.
The Belmont season kicks off this Saturday with racing returning to the course for the first time since March.
While not a feature meeting to begin the winter season in WA, the final of the Racing WA - Provincial Championship Series is the headline act in what is - as expected - an open race.
With plenty of formlines converging, there's already been some market movers since opening with Treble Maker now the favourite after posting back-to-back wins.
Platinum Shot has done nothing wrong lately and brings Saturday metropolitan form into the event, while Psycho Sista has plenty of upside and can may be able to put her best foot forward as she moves through the grades.
The barrier gods weren't kind for Camera Action who probably would be challenging for favouritism if it didn't draw gate 17, however he will move into 14 if the emergencies come out.
For what it's worth, I'm in the corner of Psycho Sista for the reasons mentioned above. She rates similarly to her rivals and just four starts into her career, she has the scope to go to another level. She'll be close to the speed despite the draw and can give a big sight.
Heading to the best bet of the day on what's a tricky card to assess, though PROSPECTOR'S PICK makes plenty of appeal early in the day.
He was very impressive first-up at Ascot when the $2 favourite, taking the lead and getting away with ease to score by about a length on the line.
The most important part of that effort was the form that came out of it, with three winners coming from 7 subsequent starts since that effort 28 days ago.
Prospector's Pick was only first-up there and maps for a lovely run again today off the inside and with some early speed up his sleeve.
He's been campaigned like a good horse with some features in mind, and he can show that class in Race 3 on Saturday with a couple of handy ones lining up against him.
Heading to race five on the card for my next best where TRIO lines up for the Pike and Williams combination.
He hasn't been sighted since beating the current favourite Western Power on Quokka Day three weeks ago, but he's a two-time winner at Belmont and he's been successful in both attempts over the mile.
Trio spotted Western Power a near three length head start last time they met, with Trio reeling off some strong splits to steal victory on the post.
While Trio is worse off at the weights this time, this looks a similar set up to what we saw 21 days ago with a bigger field and the possibility of a quicker tempo on offer.
The Team Williams gelding is starting to hit his straps now and with the possibility of some features on offer during the winter months, he can bring up back-to-back wins with Pike in the saddle.
The Best From The West
Best Bet: Race 3 #7 PROSPECTOR'S PICK @ $2.40*
Next Best: Race 5 #2 TRIO @ $3.20*
*Prices correct as of 1:45pm, May 15
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