Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Northam Preview

RACE 1

STAR SOPRANO finds a new home with Grant Williams and trialled like a horse who would be hard to beat first-up. Importantly he seemed to settle for the new yard which was one of his undoing’s in previous preparations. He is drawn a gate to get a lovely run in transit and looks to have versatility to his racing now. No surprise to see him return a winner. THE BIG ONE ran into a very sharp filly in Karalee Rocks first-up. If she goes to town and wins in Race 5 at Belmont on Wednesday the form will look super. DRAGONFLIES has always had real issues (both on and off the track). Fingers crossed we eventually see 50% of his true ability. FRIDAY KNIGHT has more issues than the Eagles. Could win, could tail out last.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – STAR SOPRANO WIN


RACE 2

TOO MUCH TALK is likely to go round an eachway quote. Will settle midfield or worse in a high speed maiden so you would need to see nearly double figures to be of any interest but thought his trial was good and his form around Shake Baby Shake and Cold Shizzle measures up for a race like this. Throw at the stumps. SEEABLE is still a colt and still doing a lot wrong. The gate doesn’t make things any easier for Jason Whiting but thinking that if Tipsy Angel breaks the field open it might be a blessing for him. NUTWOOD has always shown a level of ability and it was on display recently with a fast-finishing trial. TIPSY ANGEL will fly out in front.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet – TOO MUCH TALK EACHWAY


RACE 3

WHAT A PRINCE looks really hard to run down. Solid debut performance in WA first-up for Michelle Hagley and then second-up it took a relatively talented 3 year old in Ciscojoe the entire straight to run him down and grind him down. Stepping out to a mile looks to suit, leads and controls the tempo and provided he sees out the trip it looks like a jump, lead, control and kick into the corner situation. ULTIMATE STYLE looks the danger and that’s even taking into account she was still beaten a length in an Albany maiden. Needs luck to slot in from the draw but is building. ROEY CLAM was a long way off What A Prince last start but should get a nice run. RIDING HOOD FAME can run another top 4 position.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet – WHAT A PRINCE WIN


RACE 4

MULGABBIE GOLD won a Lark Hill trial over 950m in a relatively slick 57:86 (for maidens) and then raced wide throughout on debut behind Honey Dew. Was only beaten 3L and the way he trialled and the way he raced you would think that he is even better suited stepping out to 1400m. Blinkers on first time, drawn a far better gate and strikes a very thin maiden. Looks hard to beat at his second career start. MAXIMUM IMPACT has been knocking on the door and gets his chance to lead and win. UHTRED RAGNARSON did it tough last start at Belmont but never gave it away. He looks an improving type and is drawn a perfect gate. PEPPI GROVE has shown a bit from time to time. Hard to follow but worth novelty inclusion.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – MULGABBIE GOLD WIN


RACE 5

FRUIT LOOPS has seemingly improved a few lengths since heading to the yard of Fred Kersley. Has had a few homes in his short career but is racing really consistently and really well. Placed at two of his last three and the fifth in the middle was an eye-catching effort from a mile off them. From the barrier Taj Dyson should nearly have him one out and one back and from there this looks a really winnable assignment for him. SNIP’S ROCK has been getting back and hitting the line well all campaign. Was run off her legs early in the preparation over the sprint trips. CJP’s booking catches the attention. MIA NOBILE will get back and be doing her best late. LUMINARIES is racing like he needs 2200.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet – FRUIT LOOPS WIN


RACE 6

MONEY FOR OLD ROPE ran out of puff first start in WA, improved sharply to run third at his second start in WA and then third up was the target of strong money throughout betting and never saw daylight at any stage in the home straight and looked to be absolutely bolting. Senior rider goes on and while this is an open and even C1 he looks one of the live chances. CISCOJOE took a while to break through but is starting to put it all together. ATABOY CHARLIE is in a similar boat. He has improved start to start but will need luck from the draw. BELOVED STAR broke through in a lowly ratings race at York. This is harder.

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – MONEY FOR OLD ROPE EACHWAY


RACE 7

MYSTERY MOMENT flashed huge potential on debut with a 1200m maiden win at Pinjarra when held up at a crucial stage and letting loose late. She then went to a C11200m at Ascot and was run off her legs and no match for the talented Mercanto (now a 66+ winner) before being thrown into the deep end in a Burgess Queen Stakes at only start number three. First-up for the Durrant yard she was sent to Albany for an easy kill and got a confidence boosting win. 1400m looks ideal and from the barrier CJP will give her every chance. MIDNIGHT MYSTERY was always a favourite of punters but did get rolled at the shorts a few times. Her last two outings of the campaign were authoritative wins and she repaid the faith. Looks ready to go through the grades. SCORPION STORMZ is awkwardly placed between grades. He is somewhere between a nice 60+ and lower 66+ type. He’ll win a few more races. MIRROR MOON didn’t get much luck on return.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – MYSTERY MOMENT WIN


RACE 8

EXCELESTIAL can be a hard mare to catch but she’ll likely sneak under the radar here. Four starts ago in a 66+ she finished within 1L of Brooklyn Pier, she then ran into Kia Ora Star/Otheroneson/Atlantis Beach in a 66+, took hold of the rider in the Sky Racing Provincial Series Heat and then last start finished only 3.5L off Mercanto and Cross Statement. 1 from 1 track/distance and this race could be thinned out with scratchings (Famous Jurney in Saturday and Bread to Flirt in Wednesday). NO APOLOGY is a nice horse for Cassey Martinan. He can sustain a run and if caught deep will keep coming. IMAGE KEEPER an improver on the back-up. SEMIGEL can run well fresh.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – EXCELESTIAL EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,5
1,2,3,5
1,4,5,6,7
1,4,6,9

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