Trainer David Harrison has no concerns about taking on the boys with his talent filly Searchin’ Roc’s in the much anticipated Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday.
The winner of last year’s Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and Belgravia Stakes (1200m), Searchin’ Roc’s is one of three fillies lining up against five colts and geldings in the Listed race.
The boys are headed by classy gelding Otheroneson, last fortnight’s Raconteur Stakes (1400m) winner, Devoted and J.C.Roberts (1800m) champion Rokanori and the trio dominate Tabtouch betting.
Searchin’ Roc’s is coming off a creditable Raconteurs Stakes fourth and David Harrison says he has confidence that several key factors will give the daughter of Awesome Rock a big boost.
At set weights, Searchin’ Roc’s carries 2kg less than the colts and geldings and with the likelihood of a soft track on Saturday she will appreciate rain-affected ground.
Harrison is adamant he has Searchin’ Roc’s in peak form and he can see no reason why she can’t have an impact against a small but classy group of Belmont Guineas rivals.
“My filly is well and she is two from two on the soft and two from two on the heavy,” Harrison told The Races WA.
“It’s a very good field, but I can no reason why she can’t be a part of it.
“She likes the mile, is fit and well and is the weight horse.
“She is going as well as when she won the Champion Fillies, but is this race a little stronger than the Champion Fillies?
“That’s the question, but this race will be run on a wet track and she loves that.”
Searchin’ Roc’s has drawn the extreme outside gate in the field of eight starters. She teams up with regular rider, Kyra Yuill.
Harrison says Searchin’ Roc’s would be suited by a genuinely run race.
“If there is pace in it she will be hard to beat,” Harrison said.
“If not she could be in trouble.
“But she’ll go back to last and won’t be going forward.
“Either way she’ll be last in running.
“I think she is better suited by that pattern of racing.”
At $8, Searchin’ Roc’s is behind Otheroneson $2.65, Devoted $2.90 and Rokanori $3.80 in Tabtouch markets.
