Best Bets for Belmont and Broome on Broome Cup Day.

After a couple of false starts at Belmont due to inclement weather, everything points to a return to the circuit this weekend for the Blue Spec Stakes.

The Blue Spec Stakes is somewhat of a feature, though there's not a whole lot to write about with Sensessional the early favourite and poised to land back-to-back wins to begin his campaign.

While there is some rain around on Thursday, fine conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday, so expect an upgrade on the Heavy 8 rated surface (as of Thursday) with the rail out 7m.

With no feature at Belmont to talk about (we'll get to the Broome Cup in a jiffy), let's dive straight into the best for this weekend.

There wasn't much more IMMORTAL BLISS could've done in his WA debut, sitting back and launching a strong attack to win comfortably for Grant and Alana Williams.

He made light work of a Class 3 field at Northam, being heavily backed into $1.35 and justifying the short quote. While the win was visually impressive, the data backed that up as well with the four-year-old running a slick 33.02 for the last 600m of the 1000m scamper.

While there may be some queries over him on the quick turnaround and remaining at 1000m, the fact he was pitched into Listed and G3 company in South Australia last campaign highlights the view of his previous connections.

While he has a bit to go to get to that level on his RAS Ratings, he possesses plenty of upside and he looks better than a 1MW galloper. He is only a touch better than even money at the time of writing ($2.25), though it's not outrageous to think he jumps an odds-on chance, which makes the current price an attractive one.

In the penultimate event on the card, EXCELTRAIN makes plenty of appeal despite a defeat at the hands of Little Silver a fortnight ago, who he meets worse at the weights.

The keys this time around is Clint Johnston-Porter replacing the apprentice and the firmer footing for Exceltrain. Little Silver was able to cross and dictate on the Scarpside at Pinjarra last start, but the track was a touch funky there and I doubt CJP will allow Faithfull to have as big of a head start this time around.

Exceltrain is proven over this track and trip, and he can turn the tables on Saturday.

While there's no 'feature' at Belmont this weekend, there most certainly is up on the Pearl Coast this weekend with the running of the Broome Cup.

It's a very even race in 2025 with formlines converging from all angles, though the RAS Ratings are leaning to the Kimberley Cup run over 2070m a fortnight ago.

Divine Mercy and Striking Fella fought out the finish on that occasion, and it's the latter who I want to be with on Saturday afternoon.

STRIKING FELLA was held up on straightening in the Kimberley Cup but stormed home to just miss. That looks a nice platform stepping up in trip now.

While he has drawn wider out, I don't think that's a disadvantage for the son of Awesome Rock as he'll be able to get a lovely tow into the race and sprint quickly as we've seen in his recent efforts.

He's my selection for the Cup.

Earlier on in the day, PLATO OR PLOMO makes plenty of appeal in race four.

He flew home from the back over 1435m last start, clocking some nice splits in the process and the rise back up to the mile looks ideal. He has been a touch slow out, but part of me thinks that's also due to the tactics from the wide barriers.

I think with a better gate and up to 1615m now, Jess Gray can sit a touch closer than she has done in recent starts and that'll make a world of difference to his chances.

He's right on the cusp of another victory and things look to set up beautifully for him on Saturday.

The Best From the West

Belmont: Race 4 #3 IMMORTAL BLISS and Race 7 #3 EXCELTRAIN

Broome: Race 4 #2 PLATO OR PLOMO and in the Broome Cup - Race 7 #4 STRIKING FELLA