West Australian-based Astronomite has been a revelation since joining the Belhus Racing stable and is a serious contender in Sunday’s $100,000 Hahn Electrical-Coolgardie Cup (Race 6-1760m).
The Martin Allan-trained five-year-old, sold for $16,000 at a dispersal sale in last June, saluted at his two starts for Belhus at Belmont on July 22 and August 5, before finishing a competitive third against some of his Coolgardie Cup rivals at his most recent Belmont appearance on August 19. He has picked up $77,400 from only three outings for his new connections.
► WATCH: Astronomite third in Coolgardie Cup lead up
The Coolgardie Cup appears to be the natural progression for Astronomite and he has to rate among the main contenders, with Jarrad Noske again booked to ride.
A bold showing on Sunday will more than likely see Astronomite return to Kalgoorlie for the second leg of the famous Goldfields Cups treble, the $100,000 Boulder Cup (2100m) on Sunday September 17.
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PRICE CATCH TO BOUNCE BACK: Belhus Racing‘s up-and-comer Prize Catch will be out for redemption when he takes his place in the James Boag’s Premium Handicap (Race 4-1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
The Lindsey Smith-trained four-year-old was a heavily backed favourite at at Belmont on August 12, but finished well down the track after enduring a tough run punching into a strong head wind.
The Smith stable intend to ride Prize Catch more patiently on Saturday, which now appears to be his preferred style, and they are confident the 21-day freshen will allow him to have some dash coming back to 1200 metres. Don’t be surprised to see him charging home into the finish late.
