Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

STREET PARADE got across in the Pinjarra 2 year old Magic Millions and gave his connections a wonderful sight in the feature before fading in the late stages. Held on for third narrowly and now attacks a 1000m SWP scamper. Expect him to get across to the breeze and be there for a long way. HANG GLIDER put the writing on the wall on debut. Massive effort after missing the start, over-racing and doing plenty wrong. Biggest query is barrier 1 for a horse who missed it on debut. MAN CRUSH should be able to stalk the leaders and while he was no match for stablemate Sheeza Belter in the concluding stages she’s a class above what is on show here. SAINTORIO is doing nothing wrong at the minute.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – STREET PARADE WIN

RACE 2

SPIN THE KNIFE didn’t lead in the 3 year old Magic Millions and never looked comfortable at any stage when throwing his head around and over-racing throughout. Luke Fernie looks like he has kept it simple here: back to 1000, claiming apprentice on, jump and run. He’s a jump, run horse and Holly Watson has built a reputation as the best jump, run apprentice in Western Australia. Takes real running down and the early price looks attractive. HE’S A SIZZLER will do his usual thing and lob out the back early before coming with a late run. PIXIE CHIX descended upon them in the Magic Millions at 1200m. When she and Spin The Knife met over 1100 at Ascot the start prior she was never a chance. STATE OF POWER won well fresh beating a handy filly in No Dice.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – SPIN THE KNIFE WIN

RACE 3

SPIRITED SESSION has returned to racing well for an ever in form Justine Erkelens yard. From the barrier Shaun O’Donnell can have him wherever he wants in running. He could lead, he could box seat, he could sit one out and one back. Plenty of options from a map perspective and goes around eachway. Seems to be improving his race manners with every outing and expect him to run another honest race here. STAR PRESENT had absolutely no luck last start tramping wide throughout and kept coming late. Drawn a far better gate and is knocking on the door. HALATORION has had a great preparation and can enjoy a far better run in transit this time from the better barrier. Will be popular. GALLANT RANGER was held up at a crucial stage in the same race as Spirited Session and Halatorion last start.

Numbers: 6 – 10 – 4 – 8

Suggested Bet – SPIRITED SESSION WIN

RACE 4

VIA MONTE and MY BABY BLUE JEAN met in a 1000m maiden at Belmont on 30 December. That day Via Monte beat her by 2.4L and meets her 0.5kg better at the weights for the victory. At 1100m and with My Baby Blue Jean likely to absorb a little bit of pressure from Super Ex in the middle stages thinking that Via Monte can stalk their every move and make a big race of it late. Not much between them but the price will almost be double. MY BABY BLUE JEAN was too sharp for Beads and He’s A Sizzler last start. She’s a classy filly and she takes serious running down. Thin k the 3 year olds take care of the older horses here. WEDNESDAY is an honest mare but doesn’t win out of turn. ACEFIRE hit the line really well in the Magic Millions.

Numbers: 6 – 8 – 9 – 4

Suggested Bet – VIA MONTE WIN

RACE 5

PANZDOWN was figured out last preparation by Simon Miller. He is a 1000m get back sprinter and he’s very good at it. He can reel off some incredible closing splits in his races and will need all his firepower here first-up with 59.5kg in a race with speed on speed on speed (Acromantula, Ziebell, Express Time, Mood Swings). They will go very hard early and punters will be banking on Pat Carbery and Panzdown to be within striking distance. If you watch his trial (without shades) just wonder what is going through Jason Whiting’s mind when he looms up alongside River Beau….’what is this thing?’ Exciting animal. BEADS is taking on the older horses and gets big weight relief down to 54kg. They’ll fly and he’ll stalk. ACROMANTULA is a capable of absorbing pressure and doing it at both ends. EXPRESS TIME is in career best form and is being repeatedly underrated in her races.

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – PANZDOWN WIN

RACE 6

TRADEM’ IN is only coming from a Westspeed Platinum which is normally a big no from me in terms of a form reference but didn’t think there was much between any of these in what should be an eachway the field job. Thought he did a super job to pick them up late at 1300m and is only better suited stepping out to a mile. Progressive 4 year old with an abundance of natural ability. Can go through the grades this campaign. SLUICE BOX ran well last week and backs up off 7 days. From the draw he should get the right run midfield with cover. CRESCENT CITY was given a 10/10 by Jett Stanley last week and almost pinched his first Saturday win. SPEEDBIRD is always vulnerable with her race pattern but she’s flying.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – TRADEM’ IN WIN

RACE 7

HOLY ENCHANTMENT looks well placed to score here and then hopefully emerge as a light weight chance in the Pinjarra / Bunbury / SW Cups campaign. Won a 66+ 1800m in early December at Ascot and SJ Miller gave him a 50 day freshen and a trial before returning to the races at Pinjarra with 61kg and a wide gate. Good job to finish third and no doubt had plenty of improvement left in the tank. Drops 3kg, drawn an ideal gate and looks ready to string a few together. Like him as a horse. CHILI IS HOT is exceptionally well placed by Graeme Ballantyne. Will need luck from an inside draw with an apprentice likely to be back in traffic. OUR NORMAN has been a revelation with Chris Willis. Capable front running stayer. FRIAR AWAY is not easy to catch but from the draw in a race with a nice even tempo he should be up there enjoying a great run.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 8 – 10

Suggested Bet – HOLY ENCHANTMENT WIN

RACE 8

PLATOON and PADDY’S SHADOW will be two of the best weighted horses in Australia on Saturday as they return from the Perth Cup in the Detonator at SWP. Platoon (m100) has 56.5kg and Paddy’s Shadow (m96) has 54.5kg. They are brilliantly weighted to figure in the finish of this event and both come into it 49 days between outings. Siding up with PLATOON who has a victory off 42 days to his name and a WFA Group 2 placing behind Regal Power in the Van Heemst from last campaign. If he’s ready, he should go close. PADDY’S SHADOW can always sprint well fresh and there looks a guaranteed three deep line for her to join in this event. COCKNEY CREW can work his way to the top and on the fresh side likely rolls along. SOLAIA has been thereabouts all campaign.

Numbers: 4 – 15 – 11 – 8

Suggested Bet – PLATOON EACHWAY

RACE 9

WEE RIPPER is in great form and is showing versatility at the moment. Placed behind Come Right Back and Black Chips in a 66+ 2200m, lead and gave a real sight last start in a 60+ 2000 at Pinjarra and now has regular rider Shaun O’Donnell back aboard and drops into an 1800m. Goes around eachway every time he goes to the races and runs an eachway race more often than not. CHICLETT is going super and probably didn’t quite stick out the trip last start. Back 200m is a huge plus for her and the booking of Clint Johnston-Porter catches the eye. KERMAN ROCK is a polarising galloper. Has ability but finds bad luck. ALL MAN was a great run against the pattern first-up. Got under the guard of many second-up.

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 9 – 13

Suggested Bet – WEE RIPPER EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,4,5,6
2,5,8
3,4,8,11,15,16
3,5,9,13

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