Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

PICK YOUR BATTLES finished second to Treasured Star in a C3 (beating home subsequent winner Safety Fuse) and second in a 60+ Graduation behind Tajmali when beating home the likes of Vadette De Star and Forest War. Handy form for a C1 and has proven himself a weight carrier in the past. Looks like Graeme Ballantyne has him sound and happy and he deserves to break through. CROSS STATEMENT will burn early to get across. If he can get to the fence it’s game on, if he has to breeze it makes it that little bit harder. THOMAS MAGNUM is double nominated for Saturday’s Placid Ark and the Sunday C1. This is deeper than your average C1 but he’s also more talented than your average C1. HILTON destroyed them at Narrogin. Looked to have a real motor.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 7          

Suggested Bet – HILTON WIN

RACE 2

CISCOJO has been a regular in this preview so far in his career. Keeps impressing, yet keeps getting rolled. Giving him another chance at 1400m and if he gets beaten again, we’ll just push him to one side for now until he fully finds his feet and manages to win one. This looks another winnable race for him and with his race pattern the longer Belmont Park straight should suit him. Think he’ll make a horse but is clearly still learning. SALACIA QUEEN has looked to have a fair bit in the tank at trials recently. If she can slot in somewhere she looks a live chance on debut. GREAT FORTUNE found the 1200m far too short first-up. Was doing his best late. ROMMEL’S WAR finished off well behind Kasonori and that’s expected to be strong maiden form.  

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 1 – 5           

Suggested Bet – CISCOJOE WIN

RACE 3

AWESOME CHATTER finished fourth on debut behind Astrape, Mountain Ash and No Dice. It’s certainly not top notch 2 year old form, in fact it’s probably just moderate midweek 2 year old form, however, his recent trial was pretty encouraging and from the barrier he can track up in behind a solid tempo likely to be set between the Taylor gallopers. With even luck he can play a part. CHICK FLIX didn’t get anywhere near even luck fresh. Looked like she was about to chime in and play a real part in the finish before being completely chopped out for a run. Following her off that effort. SO BIRIKKINO is drawn outside the stablemate. He looks to have a few lengths on Getyourmoneyandrun so if he does have to breeze he’ll likely hit the lead on straightening. TENACIOUS REWARD has only been to the trials once and it was for a sharp win.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 7       

Suggested Bet – AWESOME CHATTER WIN  

RACE 4

CAFÉ NERA resumed from a spell over 1300m and was finishing off the race as well as any of the three in front of her. They included Kasonori (promising C1), Rommel’s War (form on show earlier in the day) and Hot Blooded (met with support and showed ability as a 2 year old). Thinking that form can hold up here and with the added fitness and an extra 100m Café Nera can go close to breaking through. Will only get better with distance. GRATIAS DEO finished in the money at all three runs last preparation and the recent trial was quiet and yet impressive. Looks a big danger. FREEDOMOFTHEPRESS was given every mortal hope by Pateman last start. Not much in the tank when he pressed the button. I’M NOT FOR SALE hasn’t quite raced as well as he trialled.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 1 – 11  

Suggested Bet – CAFÉ NERA WIN   

RACE 5

MARKET STRYKE will be very popular with punters with Pray Again having won a C3 at Belmont on Wednesday. So far this campaign the two horses who have beaten home Market Stryke are Success Play (subsequent winner of a 3yo 0MWLY and acceptor for Saturday’s WA Guineas) and Pray Again (subsequent C3 winner and acceptor for Saturday’s WA Guineas). Holly Watson takes 2kg off his back and he should roll to the top and take real running down. DISENGO looks the danger from leader’s back. Didn’t fire a shot at Geraldton first-up, was far better second-up when only going down narrowly to Flower In The Wind. AZTEC GOLD is going well and maps to get another economical run throughout. ART WARRIOR was never suited last start in a walk and sprint rail out affair at Ascot.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 10 – 4      

Suggested Bet – MARKET STRYKE WIN   

RACE 6

QUEEN OF SOUL is a lightly raced 5 year old mare with ability. Only won a Northam maiden when last in work but beat handy Jim Taylor gelding Cross Statement in doing so. Nothing at all went right second-up when breezing and looking all at sea and then bounced back to be beaten a nose by Enticing, with Perfect Gem back in third. Loved the recent trial and the stable is going well. BREAD TO FLIRT comes from a stable that’s going even better and from the draw Brad Rawiller can have the mare right over the top of the speed. REBELZONE probably should have gone a fair bit closer on Melbourne Cup Day. Held up at a crucial stage rounding the turn. MY MARLAINA was excellent two back. Very poor last start. Forgiving.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 11 – 10  

Suggested Bet – QUEEN OF SOUL WIN    

RACE 7

DOWNTOWN TWAIN will be burning across from the outside gate in an attempt to lead and find the fence. If he can cross those drawn underneath him and on exposed early speed you would think he’ll get across the vast majority of these in a race full of mid/back marking types then he’ll take running down. Showed his maiden win was no fluke and then backed it up with a dominant all the way C1 win last time out. Claim keeps him at a winnable weight and provided he doesn’t have to burn too much fuel looks the one to beat. KASORORI should position up just behind him and from there is the big danger and possibly even the favourite. Looks well above average and worth following into his career. Big future. RHYTHM STAR trialled really well and raced equally as well fresh. MY DILEMMA never got warm last start.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 4 – 12

Suggested Bet – DOWNTOWN TWAIN WIN

RACE 8

MISS VASARI scratched from a 66+ 1200 on Saturday to save for this C5 1000 event on Sunday. First-up she finished fourth behind Tajmali, Pick Your Battles and Vadette De Star. By the time we get to this race we will have seen both Vadette De Star (66+ 1200 on Saturday) and Pick Your Battles (C1 1200 Sunday) and can assess the strength of the form. What you don’t need to assess is the quality of the Danny Morton yard at the minute. Winning with monotonous regularity. FOREST WAR comes from the same race and was only plain in the finish. His first-up effort was a ripper. Can bounce back. TOVARICH is bursting to win a race. The day he finds a map where he gets it soft he’s ready to win. HEAVENLY WATERS will need to fly early to find a position. Capable of doing it at both ends.

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 12 – 9    

Suggested Bet – MISS VASARI WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,9

1,2,11

1,5

4,9,10,12

Market Market



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