The Dan Pearce trained Hashtag ($3.00 fav) heads back to where it all began tomorrow when in competes second up in the Perth Ice Works F&M 52-64 HCP 1400m at Belmont Park.
Debuting last October at winter racing headquarters, the daughter of Flying Pegasus finished a solid fifth in its first outing before a series of promising runs that yielded three close seconds together with a deserved maiden victory at Northam over 1300m.
The writing was definitely on the wall when the chestnut mare resumed at Bunbury late last month following a soft trial win, as punters crunched the 4yo into outright favouritism and were rewarded with a stirring win from well back over the 1200m trip.
Stepping up to the seven furlongs for tomorrow’s assignment, hoop Smokin’ Joe Azzopardi gets every chance in transit from barrier six, and claims 1.5kgs to relieve the impost back to 57.5kgs.
Pearce will also be hoping for lightening to strike twice “twice”, with his promising Blackfriars filly Friarbird ($2.70 fav) also looking for back to back wins in the Westspeed Plate 2YO 1200m.
Flashing home from eighth on the turn to record an impressive length victory on debut over 1100m, jockey Jarrad Noske will be aided by a favourable draw (gate 2) and the extra distance here looks well within reach.
Other opening market leaders include Go Tiger ($3.80 fav) for Karen Kersley, the resuming Zonte ($3.80 fav) for David Harrison, Rodeo Drive ($4.60) for Neville Parnham, Manhattan Cat ($4.40) for Capel trainer Neville Parker, and the returning chances Furious Dame ($3.00 fav) for Darren McAuliffe before Hyde Park Flyer ($3.80 fav) for Donna Riordan in the last.
Favourites aside, punters are likely to err on the side of caution as this is one very evenly contested Belmont program with multiple legitimate chances in every race.
