Cliffs Of Comfort To Rebound Says Confident Azzopardi
Jockey Joe Azzopardi and supporters of Cliffs Of Comfort expect him to rebound and return to the winner’s list at Belmont on Saturday.
The Dan and Ben Pearce-trained four-year-old is the $2.90 TABtouch favourite in the Vale Marjorie Charleson Handicap (1200m).
The Canford Cliffs gelding won three straight races in his maiden campaign in the autumn before he suffered his first loss two weeks ago.
Azzopardi had Cliffs Of Comfort in front with 50 metres remaining, but he couldn’t withstand the barnstorming finish of Silkinize and ran third.
Azzopardi is confident with the benefit of fitness, Cliffs Of Comfort will be hard to beat second-up this campaign.
“He will definitely be better for the run,” Azzopardi told Tabradio.
“He had a good little blow the other day and was a little fat still.
“That run should have tightened him up.
“I expect him to step out and run a much better race.
“He is better than that and I expect him to go on.
“It’s not a bad little race, but he will be three or four lengths better than what he was Saturday week ago.”
Earlier Azzopardi rates the chances of Weaponson in a 1000m graduation handicap.
The son of Oratorio has been placed second behind Elite Street and Excellent Dream in two runs back this preparation.
Azzopardi says that form reference should see Weaponson, trained by David Harrison, go close to winning.
“The form around him is really good,” Azzopardi said.
“I think that is good enough to win this.
“I think he is going good enough.”
Meanwhile, Azzopardi said consistent galloper Position Of Power is a top three chance in the Amelia Park Lodge Handicap (1400m).
“It’s a handy little race and we will have to go back from barrier seven of seven,” Azzopardi said.
“He should run a good race in a handy field.
“An each way chance.”
Julio Santarelli