Trainer Adam Durrant closing in on another Belmont Oaks
Adam Durrant says Ihts Closing Inn has the credentials to go on with the job against career-best opposition at Belmont on Saturday.
Ihts Closing Inn has been one of the eye-catchers of the winter season and is ready to take the leap from graduation company into stakes grade.
The daughter of Sessions is going into the Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m) in peak form after claiming her third consecutive race victory in easy fashion.
Turning in a dominant performance over 2000m on a heavy track, Ihts Closing Inn coasted to the line untouched and scored by three lengths.
On current showing and her capacity to run out a strong middle distance trip, Adam Durrant says he has optimism Ihts Closing Inn can win again.
“She’s racing really well and is handling these wintry conditions,” Durrant told Tabradio.
“We don’t get the track I was looking for on Saturday, I was hoping to get a boggy track like last start.
“But, she’s performed on any surface and has done a great job.
“We’ve dragged her around the Geraldton circuit and she’s been in really good form in Perth.
“She’s proven over the trip and I’m really happy with her.”
Ihts Closing Inn has drawn barrier six for jockey William Pike.
She won’t lack for fitness with the Belmont Oaks her 13th campaign start that commenced in January.
At $3 she’s on the second line of Tabtouch betting behind Rusty Dreams $2.50, a filly building up an impressive strike rate.
Trained by Michael Lane, she was a brilliant winner of the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m).
Ihts Closing Inn is one of three Belmont Oaks contenders for Durrant and clearly his number one seed.
Secret Attraction is $21 and Ryewood $41.
“I can’t knock my other two,” Durrant said.
“Four weeks ago it was probably going to be a soft Belmont Oaks to now a competitive one.
“From the form of Laney’s horse (Rusty Dreams) and Michael Grantham’s horse (Noteworthy), they’re in great form as well.
“It won’t be easy.”
Durrant and Pike can look to extend their top records in the Belmont Oaks.
Durrant won his first with Kia Ora Miss (2006) and later prepared Summah’s Touch (2013) and Tick Tick Bloom (2014).
Pike steered home New Image (2010), Tick Tick Bloom, Mystery Miss (2019) and Chantrea (2020).
More Racing News
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...
Chilly Girl set to bring the heat to Furious Stakes rivals
A thrilling showdown is anticipated in the upcoming Furious Stakes, featuring Rosebud winner Chilly Girl and Silver Shadow Stakes champion Pembrey, as the early form for three-year-old fillies continues to solidify.Both fillies have made strong impressions this spring. Chilly Girl displayed grit to defeat Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m),...
Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes
It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded...
Pride's leading spring contenders to debut at Randwick
Trainer Joe Pride is poised to introduce his stable's major spring contenders en masse at Randwick, with four Group 1 winners slated to race, prominently featuring the top weight-for-age performer Ceolwulf.The two-time King Charles III Stakes champion is scheduled to compete in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Concurrently, Headley Grange and...
Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received
The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...
Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling...
David Vandyke confident Oregon Coast can leverage Pembrey's form
Trainer David Vandyke holds a positive outlook for Oregon Coast's chances at Ipswich on Wednesday, particularly given her performances against horses like Pembrey and Chilly Girl.While Pembrey and Chilly Girl are prominent contenders for the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Oregon Coast will be competing in the...
Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their...
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...