Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

PARIS CALLING has been a ripping little filly in her first preparation of racing. Last start she relished the Heavy8 surface but she still won with authority and was running away from them on the line. Hanchi came out of that race and was heavily commissioned in betting last week to score. Tricky draw but if Michael Poy can get her across one off the fence, she should run another solid race at an eachway quote. ANCIENT GUIDANCE was an arrogant midweek winner. 39 days between runs, 3 deep the entirety and won by 4L extending. Doesn’t jump brilliantly but musters quickly thereafter. Interesting to see if he can hold out More Special. ROPE THEM IN gives every indication that 1400m will suit. Just another poor draw to navigate. WEERAECHOUX is hitting the line well.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – PARIS CALLING EACHWAY

RACE 2

REIGN OF FIRE is no stranger to carrying weight in these Westspeed Platinum races. Last start he set off on a searching run from the 600 and only peaked over the last 50m to be nosed out of second placing. He’s drawn a far better gate here in a race with a genuine tempo (Pat’s Got Sass and Castillo Del Lago both like to roll). Provided he doesn’t get too far off them he should be finishing off strongly. GARAGE DAYS comes through the same race. He’s another who looks really well suited to stalking the speed and presenting at the right time. PAT’S GOT SASS backs up off 7 days and is a notable class dropper. PLAYZ WITH FIRE is yet to reproduce the brilliance of her 3 year old days.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – REIGN OF FIRE WIN

RACE 3

SUPERESSION may divide opinion here as a 3 year old taking on seasoned sprinters in a 72+. Willing to forgive and forget last start when he looked to travel into it powerfully but then moments later was spinning the wheels on a Heavy8. Back to a Good4 (hopefully?) and back to 1000m he looks far better suited. Let’s see where he’s at. GHOST WHO WALKS is enjoying a career best preparation and his loyal followers are constantly being rewarded with juicy eachway quotes. This will be no different. Winnable again. GEMMA’S SON has returned in great order as a gelding. FLYING MISSILE has a tough gate and 59.5kg but she’s flying.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – SUPERSESSION WIN

RACE 4

SONGAA let rip with a brilliant turn of acceleration to score at his WA debut. It was a Heavy8 and they were getting down the middle at that stage of the program, but it was still hard to ignore the way he covered the ground. If he can reproduce the same turn of foot with an extra 4.5kg then he’ll be hard to hold out. UNIVERSAL PLAYBOY can be hot and cold. Brilliant run from off speed behind Ghost Who Walks. Woeful run kicking through and fading out badly behind Too Dardy. ART OF SABRAGE is a talented 3 year old. No idea where he gets from the gate? That’s the concern. HE’SGOTWINGS is in a rich vein of form and deserves a crack at Saturday grade.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – SONGAA EACHWAY

RACE 5

ALLMAMONEY resumed without a trial over 1000m. She was always going to find that far too short and sharp for her liking. 10 days later Adam Durrant finds a much more suitable 1400m event for her. She’ll sit back and allow the race to unfold before working through her gears. Nice assignment for her. BOOTS LIKE BRUCE had to burn a fair bit of petrol in the early and middle stages last start. Thought he fought on bravely late. EXTRA SECRET gets weight relief with Brayden Gaerth going on, however, it’s not an easy draw and not a pretty map. SAVANIK would prefer a rain affected surface but she’s more than capable at this level.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – ALLMAMONEY WIN

RACE 6

WAR GEM did it tough two starts ago and then got the better of a talented filly late last start at 1300. Think he’s looking for a mile at this stage of the preparation and from the draw Stevie Parnham should have him poised to strike forward of midfield with the leader’s in his sights. Really honest and consistent type. CRESCENT CITY has been a testing galloper for punters over his career. Not convinced he will be an apprentice’s horse but from the gate he should get every favour. POSITION OF POWER improved sharply last start when ridden forward. WESTRIVER MIRACLE is drawn a lemon but is a versatile animal.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – WAR GEM EACHWAY

RACE 7

IHTS CLOSING INN is having her 13th run of a preparation. She’s a little iron filly and runs for Pike – he has ridden her 4 times and she’s won by over 1L on each occasion. She travels when the speed is on, she settles when there’s no pace. She’s versatile and she’s proven at the trip. Hard to knock. RUSTY DREAMS is the class runner of the race and at Set Weights she’s extremely well suited. The biggest cause for concern is her settling and this race has absolutely no speed. Fingers crossed she doesn’t over-race and bring herself undone.  NOTEWORTHY is the new kid on the block and looks extremely prpgressive. She’ll enjoy a soft run along the fence and with clear air is very dangerous late. SECRET ATTRACTION looks like she’ll stay.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 10

Suggested Bet – IHTS CLOSING INN WIN

Same Race Multi – Rusty Dreams (Top 3) + Ihts Closing Inn (Top 3) + Noteworthy (Top 4)

Not normally one to include three horses in the Same Race Multi but the 2023 Belmont Oaks looks to have three main players and then a distinct class gap to the remainder. Rusty Dreams tackles 2000m for the first time but won the Belmont Guineas with a blistering L600. Ihts Closing Inn is looking for 4 straight wins and is a proven stayer. Noteworthy has returned in great order and maps a treat.

RACE 8 

DEMOLISH looks to get his best chance yet to notch that illusive Listed Feature. He has finished second in the Lex Piper (1600), JC Roberts (1800), Melvista (2200) and third in the Belmont Guineas (1600). From barrier 4 he should enjoy the run of the race and between Santa Brae and Makin Prophets hopefully they’ll roll along at a genuine enough tempo. With 9 of the 13 first time past 1800 this is his chance as the best stayer. UPPER LIMITS beat him home in the Belmont Guineas but tests the waters at 2000m for the first time in his life. MOJO’S LUCK was held up in the same race yet still hit the line. SANTA BRAE only won a maiden but at least he can stay.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet – DEMOLISH WIN

RACE 9

CATEGORY THREE won first-up like a mare who would go through the grades this preparation. She was then scratched with an off-hind hoof abscess on 10 June and now comes into her second-up assignment 35 days between runs. Really want to follow her but it’s a definite red flag to be aware of. You’d think she’s likely to drift given the day spacing and minor set back. Patience. HARDLY EVER has been a bit of a tease over the years but she’s trialled up well without blinkers and can always produce a run fresh. SUNNY HONEY is racing brilliantly but just can’t buy a gate. AZTEC RULER returns to the races with the benefit of two handy trials.

Numbers: 8 – 6 – 9 – 10

Suggested Bet – CATEGORY THREE WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,2,3,4,6,14

1,2,4

2,3,5

1,6,8,9,10,11

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