Australia: Kentucky-bred Green Belt looks for repeat of strong debut

Green Belt was a $105,000 purchase at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale by trainer Mick Price of Australia.

Under Price’s direction, Green Belt mas made an early impression in Australia.

A Kentucky-bred by Declaration of War, Green Belt was given ample time to acclimate, winning his debut in a maiden race at a mile at Cranbourne Racecourse on Jan. 2. Green Belt led throughout as the 4-5 favorite and won by 3 3/4 lengths.

The colt’s second race is a one-mile handicap for 3-year-olds at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Wednesday. Green Belt, trained by the partnership of Price and Michael Kent Jr., will once again be favored. In early betting on Monday, Green Belt was the 7-5 favorite in a field of eight.

Sandown has an eight-race program beginning at 11:40 p.m. Eastern, or 8:40 p.m. Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Green Belt will be ridden by Jamie Kah, who was aboard for the win at Cranbourne. The colt led throughout that win and may have the same position in this race, pending the race tactics of Rock Wave. Green Belt will start from post 8, while the outsider Rock Wave is in post 4. That could give Kah the opportunity to stalk Rock Wave or take an early lead.

The filly Seonee could be in a handy position as a stalker. Trained by Patrick Payne, Seonee beat maidens in her fourth start at Kyneton in November and was second by a head in a one-mile handicap for 3-year-olds at Sandown on Dec. 22.

Tempest Charm, also a filly, has course experience, having won a maiden race at a mile at Sandown on Jan. 3 in her 10th start. Tempest Charm races from off the pace.
Green Belt’s most formidable rival may be El Cordobes, a gelding who won his debut in a maiden race at seven furlongs at Geelong Racecourse on Jan. 6. El Cordobes closed from ninth in a field of 11 to win by three-quarters of a length.