By his own high standards, it’s been a slow start to the new racing season for jockey Pat Carbery, but he’s determined to hit back at Belmont on Saturday.
Carbery has picked up three plum rides and victory aboard Augment, My Bella Mae and Zephyra would be the perfect tonic on the eve of the Pinnacles carnival.
Augment flashed ability in two appearances in the autumn and is a rock-solid favourite to make a successful return in the Free Entry To Belmont Park Plate (1200m).
A highly-rated member of trainer Simon A Miller’s team, Augment was a dominant winner on debut and ran a close third in the Gimcrack Stakes (1100m).
Augment reappeared at Belmont trials last month and Carbery liked what the 3YO produced when she surged strongly to win in a bunched finish.
Her heat victory could prove a strong form reference with third place getter Costazita a subsequent Belmont winner last Saturday.
“She has always shown above average ability and seems to have come back well, it was a good trial,” Carbery said on Tabradio.
“She’s a big strong girl and her work has certainly been up to the mark since.
“She’s one of the better younger horses coming through and I’ve always looked forward to her coming back.
“I think she can measure up to some of the bigger races coming up and hopefully she can start her preparation well and continue through to the spring.”
Augment will jump from barrier three. The Exceed And Excel filly is $2.15 with Tabtouch.
Carbery is equally excited about getting aboard My Bella Mae again when she resumes from a failed interstate campaign in the $100,000 Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000m).
Carbery has partnered My Bella Mae to four of her five career wins including dual Listed victories: the Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m).
Carbery said her second trial, when she ran over the top to defeat Searchin’ Roc’s narrowly, was a marked improvement on her first hit out after Melbourne.
The Jolly Beggar Stakes marks the return of My Bella Mae after she was well beaten in two feature events at Bendigo and Moonee Valley.
“Dion (Luciani) decided to give her another trial to bring her to peak fitness,” Carbery said.
“She was just holding on to her winter coat.
“Her second trial was really good and I thought she finished off really well.
“She had a good blow, but had a bit of time since then to build fitness.
“She’s been a good horse to me and has got well above average ability.
“If she can start well I’m sure she can measure up in some of the sprints over the spring.”
My Bella Mae is $4.40 with Tabtouch, second favourite behind Baby Paris ($4.00).
She has drawn perfectly in barrier five.
Carbery said he can fault Zephyra going into the Amelia Park Handicap (1600m).
