Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Esperance Preview

RACE 1

LOST SMILE made his debut when fourth behind Hotorio after breezing and fading to be beaten 2L. Again sat in the breeze at his second outing when going down narrowly at the hands of Mrs Kangaroo. Further back in the field was subsequent winner Cousin Nicci and that looks a good enough form reference. STREET WISE RED has had two trials since heading down to Helen Harding in Esperance. The trial leading into his debut for Ryan Hill was very encouraging. WE WONDER WHY ran really well in the 48+ last meeting when only 2L off Saturday Sun. BONNIE LAD heads down to Esperance off the back of an 1100m trial win at Lark Hill.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 8 – 5

Suggested Bet – LOST SMILE EACHWAY


RACE 2

ROMANTIC RULER is no star but he sould be getting the job done in this Esperance maiden. Second to King’s Flirt first-up, second to American Songbook second-up and now gets into a country maiden with the services of regular rider Clint Johnston-Porter. All the local maidens have been battling away without winning one all season and he looks the clear one to beat. MINOR DETAIL gained a start as E2 at his most recent outing and was $11 into $6. Loomed the winner on straightening but just blew out late. Trainer Josh Brown says ‘no thanks Nosk, I’ve got Willie’. Too strong. AWESOME SISTER an improver at odds. OAKWOOD continues to run honest races.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 10 – 8

Suggested Bet – ROMANTIC RULER WIN


RACE 3

JACKEMJAMES is hard to run down when he finds the top. Lead and ran second to Lucie Manette last start. In that same race Boozeroo sat outside of him and finished fifth and My Boy Chris was back in third. Looks winnable from the top. MY BOY CHRIS has turned a corner since arriving in the region. Good win over No More Dust three starts ago in a C2 1100 and then has placed to Lucie Manette and Frankie Blue Eyes. Tricky draw but going well. BIGDAYONIT is first-up no trial and in years gone by Ash Maley usually bobs up with a winner or two on Cup Day when he travels his team down. Going with the senior rider and 60kg is a show of positivity. BOOZEROO next best.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – JACKEMJAMES WIN


RACE 4

DOUBLE SPICE is an Esperance and fresh specialist. 3 starts at Esperance for two dominant victories, 6 runs first-up for 3 big wins and 2 strong minors. He’s a proven weight carrier (winner with 61kg and 60.5kg) and Alan Kennedy looks an ideal rider for a horse like him. No doubt this race has been on the cards all season and Neil Dellar would have targeted the feature sprint. Hard to beat if he’s right. AL QUEPONE has put together two massive wins at Esperance. He’ll sit back last and look to round them up down the middle. MATERIAL WITNESS is double accepted for Saturday at Geraldton and Sunday at Esperance. Both races are winnable for him. MAGNIFORCE was big along the dreaded cutaway area last start. Shades on and is very hard to beat at Esperance when he’s on song.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – DOUBLE SPICE WIN


RACE 5

LEADING MAN has enjoyed a highly successful season. Was in front for 1198m last start when gunned down in the shadows by Fair Justice. Nothing wrong with being run down by Fair Justice and parking up over the speed he’ll go close again. SHORT TALK is a speedy mare who resumes without a trial. Should she find the fence she’ll be in front for a long way. WINSALOT has a tough gate to contend with, however, she’s a mare in form. SATURDAY SUN finds a new home and from the draw with William Pike should go close returning to this grade.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – LEADING MAN WIN


RACE 6

SALVARA has been putting in eye catching finishing bursts from a long way back this preparation. Enter William Pike. Big effort behind Fair Justice three starts ago, even bigger behind Galahs Do Roar two starts ago (and meets her 3kg better at the weights) and couldn’t go with them at 1300 when the sprint went on last start behind Counter Drive. Back out to a mile, drawn to get a soft run and a sit sprint rider on a sit sprint mare. Been a long time but she’s going well enough. BENTLEY’S BROTHER did a lot of work at stages last start and was brave late. GALAHS DO ROAR has a lot of weight (by her standards) but a soft draw. KENNY THE KING can work his way to the top.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – SALVARA WIN


RACE 7

MAGIC OF ZEUS was backed to the exclusion of all others last start and was never getting beaten in the run. His previous run was far better than it reads on paper because the inside pad along the cutaway has been 3 – 4L inferior going for months. He can reproduce and he can go back to back. WARZACHANTZ has been a model of consistency this preparation. Hasn’t been able to pinch one but has run well at every outing and is drawn to get the run he needs. DEEL RED was disappointing in the Mt Barker Cup. Better suited back at Esperance. FRANKIE BLUE EYES broke through for his first win in WA last start.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – MAGIC OF ZEUS WIN


RACE 8 

SOVIET SPY has come of age this campaign. Had been a frustrating horse to follow over they years but he has worked out what it is all about and he seems to go lengths better for William Pike than anyone else (shock). Back to back dominant wins in 60+ Graduation company and strikes a field where there have only been a handful of travelling horses and the jury is out on whether many of the locals stay. He is the reason Pikey has come to Esperance. BIG SWOOP can find the front and control the race. Provided he isn’t attacked mid-race he’ll be there for a long way. OFF WEGO is 2 months between runs at the staying trip but if there’s a stable that can do it it’s Adam Durrants. WATCH ME NEY NEY an improver.

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 6 – 14

Suggested Bet – SOVIET SPY WIN


RACE 9

NICKLAUS has been going well all season without winning. Has drawn inside a few times and been taken further inwards towards the cutaway area. The fact that he’s drawn wide is a blessing and his run behind Baby Blues two starts ago in a 68+ 1400m rates up brilliantly for this. Finished in the money at 6 of 10 over the Esperance 1400 and love the fact Neil Dellar has engaged senior rider Alan Kennedy. FAIR JUSTICE is drawn barrier 1. There have been very few midfield/backmarking types win from three and four back the fence this season. Going super but recent history is against her. COUNTER DRIVE won well last start after a string of solid efforts. IRRITABLE RODNEE is ready.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – NICKLAUS WIN


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,4,6,11

3,5,6,7

3

1,2,3,9,11

Market Market