Lightly-raced filly Hot Rumor will be set for the LR Belmont Oaks if she continues to improve off a promising win at Belmont on Wednesday.

Hot Rumor (3f Scandal Keeper – Summer Road by Pricelessly) is trained by Steve Wolfe and he also part-owns her with Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers.  She is the latest winner to graduate from the 2011 Yarradale yearling sale.

“She covered ground but I told Tash (Faithfull) to ride her like she was the best horse in the race,” Wolfe said after the Crown Perth Hcp (1300m).  “It’s only a midweek win but we will give her another run or two to see if she’s ready for a race like the Oaks.”

The LR Belmont Oaks (2000m) is scheduled for July 6.  “She’s a big girl and it’s still only her first prep,” he said.  “Wait till she comes back next time for those fillies and mares races at Xmas.”

Hot Rumor is one of 6 winners among 10 starters from the first Sunspeed crop by Yarradale’s Danzig stallion Scandal Keeper.  Heading that line-up are the stakes performers Keeper Quiet and Secret Scandal.

Scandal Keeper covered a small first book in the Eastern States before transferring to Yarradale.  There have been 4 winners from just 6 starters in that crop including brilliant sprinter Zamorar who has been stakes placed five times at Caulfield and Flemington.

The positive start at stud saw Scandal Keeper cover a full book of 159 mares last year.  His service fee has been set at $8,000 (plus gst) for 2013.

Hot Rumor had broke her maiden when making the pace at Albany earlier this year.  She is the first foal to race from Wally Hannah’s Geraldton winner Summer Road.  The mare’s 2yo filly Deceitful Road was placed on debut at Bunbury in February before going out for a spell.

– Karl Patterson