Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

SECRET IDENTITY has been a model of consistency all preparation and this looks an open mile maiden with a number of winning chances. Second to George Gently reads well and the most recent runs behind Pearly Nugget and subsequent winner Linden Lady as well as the third behind Amjaad and The Desert Fox look like the strongest form in this race. DREAMSTOCK had no luck on debut when tramping deep. Was well respected by the market. LET THEM ALL TALK comes into this fresh but can roll to the top. CALICO KID caught the eye first-up.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – SECRET IDENTITY WIN

RACE 2

WILD BELLE looked very quick at trials. Luke Fernie had her double nominated for this 1000m maiden as well as the Belgravia Stakes which suggests that he thinks she’s well and truly above average. Going off her trial she should bounce on the front and take serious running down. STAR POWER has always shown ability at trials. Think she’ll make into a nice filly in time and should go well at her return. OUTFIELD looks a sharp gelding and from the inside draw can tow ball Wild Belle. CHERRY BAY was allowed to roll at trials but peaked late.

Numbers: 9 – 8 – 7 – 10

Suggested Bet – WILD BELLE WIN

RACE 3

BERNBRAE looks to have found her race. She’s having her first crack at the staying trip which is always an unknown but she gives every indication that she’ll see out the distance. Settles nicely in the run, has a turn of acceleration and carries only 54kg from an ideal draw. Market really savaged her in betting last start and expecting similar here. MR HOLLYWOOD has been knocking on the door all campaign. He’ll roll forward and give them something to run down. BOY BLUE was sound at Geraldton. Still a work in progress but heading in the right direction. SPECKLES wasn’t too bad at Ascot on Wednesday and backs up off 4 days.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet – BERNBRAE WIN

RACE 4

THE DESERT FOX put the writing on the wall first-up in a handy 3 year old 0MWLY behind Major Max and subsequent winners Swim Through and Nunes. Last start lead them up and was only run down in the final stride by Amjaad who was resuming off the back of a quiet, yet impressive trial. That form is on display through Secret Identity in R1 and if it holds up he’ll look hard to beat here. HOBA WEST has a set of shades attached and may have needed the run first-up. STAY ASTERN has been trialling well for his return to the races. FOREVER CLASSIC finished off well behind Nunes in a maiden on debut.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 4 – 8

Suggested Bet – THE DESERT FOX WIN

RACE 5

HERE’S DREAMING won a 1000m maiden impressively when letting loose with a big turn of acceleration and then reproduced it in a C1 when getting the better of them late in the race when carrying 59kg and navigating some traffic late. Thrown in the deep end last start in a 66+ at Kalgoorlie and should be suited back into a C3. COSMOPOLITAN GIRL won three on the bounce when placed to perfection by Team Pearce. Big ask last start in the 3 year old Classic and wasn’t disgraced. Jump and run filly. MEN’S CLUB finds another new home and Ash Maley can get them going first-up without a trial. TALES OF MANHATTAN next best.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – HERE’S DREAMING WIN

RACE 6

WISE COUNSEL hasn’t been seen at the races since May 2021 but it has been impossible to miss his trials. Going through his form he’s only won 1 from 9 but he’s been in three Feature Races during that time at Flemington, Caulfield and Moonee Valley. Loved his recent trial when wide throughout. Big ask to carry 61kg with some nice 3 year olds engaged though. VILLAGE GIRL really attacked the line on debut. She’s got a bright future and while the barrier is a concern she’s clearly a filly on the rise. MOJO’S LUCK is raw and talented. Still putting it all together. MANAVENDRA was a big fresh winner.

Numbers: 1 – 11 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – WISE COUNSEL WIN

RACE 7

PRAY AGAIN broke hearts at his return to racing. $16 into $4.60 with Tabtouch (as much as $21 available around the rest of the country) and simply did too much wrong with 60kg on his back. Beaten half a length and showed two things: 1) he’s a talent; 2) he’s going to be frustrating to follow. Draws the fence here which should help his cause, but the price on offer will be short. POPCORN TENDER has turned a corner. Winner of his last three and gets another gun run. COLD SHIZZLE can work his way forward from a wide gate and the claim helps. BALLADEER like all of Neil Dellars goes well at Northam.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet – PRAY AGAIN WIN

RACE 8

STARALIGN looks to have found a lovely race in the Northam Cup. Third in the Idyllic Prince at WFA carrying 59kg behind Resortman and Nerodio is the form reference that will sell everyone on his winning chances. Not disgraced in the Farnley, wide throughout in the Hannans. Draws a gate, settles over the speed and gains the services of Chris Parnham. Great race for him. WESTERN TEMPLE draws a gate for the first time all preparation. He beat home Staralign in the Farnley when a fast finishing second behind Resortman. EEYORE WAYZ finished third in that same race and is proving that he runs a strong mile. MAROCCHINO ran a ripper at his return in the Eurythmic.

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet – STARALIGN WIN

RACE 9

JACK IN THE BLACK is a new horse in the last few months. Finished second to Queen Alina (beating home subsequent 3 year old winner Fly Away Home as well as Tuscan Holiday) and then won a C1 beating Tiff’s Lad and subsequent winner Mr Fahrenheit. He’s no star but Jon Jachmann’s are going well and he’ll sit up on the speed and whack away at an eachway price. CELEVACCI was fair at Geraldton. Hasn’t quite reproduced his slashing first-up run since. ROCK OF KAHA has an awkward draw but it looks as though Lisa Staples has chosen to ride him. NIIGATA deserves to pinch one this prep.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – JACK IN THE BLACK EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,3,5,10,11

1,2,3

2,4,7,9,10

1,3,4,5

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