Morton raises the bar in the Belmont Newmarket
Top trainer Dan Morton will use a two-pronged attack in an attempt to win his first Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Morton saddles up Saloon Bar and Weaponson and has a good feeling about adding his name to honour roll of Belmont Newmarket winning trainers.
Saloon Bar is second up after finishing third behind Boots Like Bruce in the Bolton Sprint (1200m) and Weaponson resumes after four months.
Saloon Bar finished 3 ½ lengths adrift of Boots Like Bruce in the Bolton Sprint but came home hard and attacked the line strongly from 8th position.
Morton said it was a credible run from the Sessions five-year-old and he anticipates further improvement in the Belmont Newmarket.
“He was good the other day (Bolton Sprint),” Morton told Racing WA.
“He makes hard work of it; you literally ride him out the whole way and then he really finishes.
“But he has come on good and strips fitter.
“I think he will show up.”
Morton holds two of the eight runners in the Belmont Newmarket.
Saloon Bar has drawn barrier five and Steven Parnham retains the ride.
Saloon Bar is $7 with Tabtouch, sharing the third line of betting with Bolton Sprint, runner-up, Man Crush.
Boots Like Bruce is the $2.15 favourite with Red Fifty Three next at $4.80.
Weaponson is $15 and with Lucy Fiore aboard, jumps from barrier four.
A Listed winner of last year’s Old Comrade Stakes (1600m), he races first up without a trial.
“I’m really happy with him,” Morton said.
“He does go good fresh and is a tough little unit.
“I don’t think the wet track will worry him.”
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