McGruddy To Take Full Advantage In Belmont Newmarket.
Shaun McGruddy is confident he can take full advantage of a plum pick up ride that can reassert his strong record in the Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m) this weekend.
McGruddy received the call up to ride the gun Michael Lane-trained sprinter with Resortman’s regular partner Chris Parnham away on holidays.
McGruddy can help Resortman claim the second-leg of a feature winter race double after Parnham carted him to victory in last fortnight’s Bolton Sprint (1200m).
Resortman was trapped wide from gate 11 in the Bolton Sprint, but stamped his class with a powerful finish to defeat the fast closing Hot Zed by a long neck.
In the Belmont Newmarket, Hot Zed gets a 1.5kg favour on Resortman and if successful he grabs the third Listed victory of his 23 starts to date.
Jason Whiting is aboard again and companies from barrier two.
Resortman is right on his hammer in barrier three. The beautiful draw is in contrast to the Bolton Sprint when he started from the widest gate.
McGruddy believes Resortman and Hot Zed will be fighting out another tight finish in the Belmont Newmarket and expects the same script as the Bolton Sprint.
“I think Hot Zed is the only horse I have to worry about,” McGruddy told The Races WA.
“His (Resortman’s) run in the Bolton was a terrific effort after his leg issues previously.
“Michael Lane has done it in terrific order to get him back fit and firing.
“Hot Zed gets a weight advantage, but Resortman has a better draw than the Bolton.
“He won’t have to do too much work in the run.
“I have to make sure I get him to the outside and have him winding up.”
Resortman’s maiden Listed victory in the Bolton Sprint took earnings to $347,950 from his seven wins and six minor placings in 20 starts.
The Helmet six-year-old is currently the best backed runner in the Newmarket, firming into $3 after Tabtouch opened him at $3.50.
Hot Zed follows behind at $4.20 , ahead of Nerodio $6, Staralign $6.50 and Eeyore Wayz $8.
Resortman can give the in-form McGruddy his third Belmont Newmarket trophy.
He opened up his account with Prince Of Pop in 2001 and two years ago repeated on Saracino.
McGruddy is unbeaten in one start on Resortman, riding him to victory at Ascot in February.
Julio Santarelli.