Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Jockey Ben Melham will be looking to take a sit behind the leaders when noted speedster Bel Sprinter resumes at Caulfield.

Melham said the Jason Warren-trained sprinter would be improved by the run in Saturday’s Listed United Arab Emirates Stakes (1000m) and that the challenge would be getting him to settle.

“It will be interesting to see how the first couple of furlongs (400m) unfolds,” Melham told Radio Sport National.

“Obviously I am concerned he might want to get racing a little bit fresh.

“He is fit and well but he’s not fully wound up yet and whatever he does he is going to improve on.”

Melham has noted some improvement in Bel Sprinter’s racing manners but he is unsure he will be able to hold up the $2.10 TAB Sportsbet favourite, who is having his first run for five months.

“He still does want to go quite keenly,” Melham said.

“On Saturday there is a little bit of speed drawn outside him with Definitely Ready and probably Faster Son and we’ve got to weigh up what we want to do there.

“Ideally, I would like to pop in behind those two but he’s not a horse you can sort of pull around.

“You have to go with him a little bit.”

Bel Sprinter has won four of his five starts with his only defeat at the end of his last campaign when Lone Rock bloused him in the Group Three Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 3.

It was his second run down the straight having won over 1100 metres there in July but Melham said the son of Bel Esprit was better suited at Caulfield.

“I have got no doubt he is better suited to racing around a bend,” Melham said.

“He has had a couple of runs up the straight at Flemington and he can just be a bit vulnerable late, especially over six furlongs (1200m) because he sees a bit of daylight and he wants to get running.”

Warren will make a decision after Saturday’s assignment whether Bel Sprinter targets the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25 or the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 10.

“Saturday is an ideal race to kick him off and it will give us a good line on where he is at,” Melham said.

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au