Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Kalgoorlie Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BARNEY’S WORLD is drawn barrier 9 of 9 but he has the tactical speed to come across and sit up over the pace. Really tough effort last start when zapped late by Zipaway with talented colt Masamune back in third. If he can overcome the barrier he should be right in the finish. MINING LEGEND ran third on debut on a Saturday behind Petula and impressive multiple subsequent winner Ancient Guidance. SJ Miller took two to the races on Hannans Day and both came out victorious. Respect. BOLTA only has 54kg after the claim and while 1200m may be stretch he’ll be in front for a long way. WANNA CRACKER next best.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 6 – 9

Suggested Bet – BARNEY’S WORLD WIN

RACE 2

SO LIKEABLE had his first start for Hayden Ballantyne at the Toodyay Cup meeting (at Belmont) and was posted 3 deep the trip with 61.5kg when still finishing second. Drops 5kg here, loves racing at the KBRC and looks to have found a race where he can cross and lead. CIVVY STREET should get every chance from the inside barrier and 1300m is about his sweet spot. His first-up effort behind stablemate Rockin’ Rupert was strong for a race of this nature and he’s proven on multiple occasions that Westspeed Platinum is his grade. BIRD’S THE WORD finds this easier than his recent outings in the Kambalda Cup, Goldrush, Coolgardie Sprint etc. PRINCESS CHUNK isn’t showing the same zip as last campaign.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – SO LIKEABLE WIN

RACE 3

GRACE DU ROI showed on Wednesday that has luckless effort behind Count Grundy was no fluke and that she’s turned a corner. The re-handicapped 55+ nature of this event brings her into it and Joey Azzopardi jumping on is a more than handy addition. Trevor Tasker’s team are going well and the mare looks ready to win one. MY BOY EDDY is on his last chance. He’s been nothing short of a wallet burner over the last 12 – 18 months but he is racing like he wants ground and he gets his chance in a very weak staying race. Now or never for him. IT’S A LACE is on trial at the trip but gives every indication he’ll stay. THINKING GAME is a lightly raced mare who is bred to get over genuine ground.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – GRACE DU ROI EACHWAY

RACE 4

ROCKY PATH ran a fast finishing third in the Kambalda Cup four back before winning the Tatts Cup (same track/distance) before heading into the Coolgardie and Boulder Cups. Back in distance to suit, great use of the 2kg claim for Victoria Corver and can sit back and look to sprint over them late. Hard to fault her Kalgoorlie form. STRIKE NOW is a last start C5 mile winner at Northam. Proven weight carrier and more than capable of going back to back in this. Logical danger. STRATOCREED hasn’t won a race in over 1000 days but is racing well. DANCE OF THUNDER got the job done last start but was given every favour under the sun.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – ROCKY PATH WIN

RACE 5

RED CADILLAC is a long way outside the handicap but year in year out these Graduation type handicaps are won by horses who get around the Kalgoorlie circuit and are in form at the right time. Backed off the boards on Wednesday and won with the handbrake on. Doesn’t matter whether it’s the Broome round or the Kalgoorlie round – love horses on the quick back-up from meeting to meeting. MINGORA won at a mile beating Vinyl and then flashed late behind Count Grundy when finally getting clear when the race was over. She’s flying.  FREEDOM SQUARE ran second in the Tatts Cup to Rocky Path two starts back. That form could look great after race 4. VINYL has been a great find for Rickie Brown. Never got a crack at them last start.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – RED CADILLAC WIN

RACE 6

TALK IT UP has no doubt been targeted at this race for some time. He has returned to racing this season in scintillating form and his last victory in the Goldrush over subsequent winner Men’s Club reads up well. 54.5kg after the claim and can burn turn in his races. Capable of doing it at both ends. STREET PARADE is well placed by Rusty ‘Flagpies’ Stewart. Only beaten 1.7L by Sentimental Hero last start in a 72+ after looming large at the 200. Great use of the claim and drawn to get every chance over the speed. This is a nice race for him if he can carry the weight. PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC was scratched from a winnable race Wednesday to save for this. AIN’T NO OTHER MAN is the kind of horse who could bob up and win a race like this.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – TALK IT UP WIN

RACE 7

BILLY RAY should be a handy acquisition for these types of races for Peter Fernie and Andrew Inglis. First-up over 1400m at Belmont back in May he savaged the line behind Media Baron, Panzdown and Mood Swings. Reproduces that kind of performance and he’s one of the main players in this. STARALIGN is going so much better than it reads on paper. Just needs a back to follow. MEN’S CLUB gets weight off his back and had no luck at all last start from a horror draw. EXCELLENT DREAM didn’t fire a solitary shot in the Hannans however in 2022 he backed up off 2 days and was a good thing beat in this exact same race.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet – BILLY RAY WIN

RACE 8 

VILLEINS (and many of these) need to tick the 2300m box of the Kalgoorlie Cup but he was really impressive in the Boulder Cup. If you want to see a riding Masterclass then have a look at the replay because William Pike put on an absolute clinic to get him home. Rises 4kg, loses Pike and has to run another 200m to complete the Boulder Cup/Kalgoorlie Cup double but he’s the form stayer in a field without much depth. BE OPTIMISTIC loomed large in the Boulder Cup. GENERAL GRANT won three starts ago and you thought he was back on track. Since then he’s been woeful. POWERFUL brings alternate form but the rock hard fit Broome horses usually run cheeky races over the Round.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – VILLEINS WIN

Same Race Multi – Villeins (Top 3) + Be Optimistic (Top 3)

Villeins and Be Optimistic ran the exacta in the 2023 Boulder Cup. That’s the key form reference race that the vast majority of the field come through and it’s hard to really mount a case for anything outside of the two main fancies. Both in good order and both should be right in the finish again.

RACE 9

AL QUEPONE held his own in the Goldrush and then was eye-catching late and through the line last start. Joshua Francis Leslie Brown usually has a spring in his step over the traditional, annual race round and he now tests the waters with Al Quepone at 1400. Hard to ignore the replay run. CALIFORNICATION returns to Kalgoorlie and will no doubt have a decent following going into the last on Cup day. Devastating win at Kal before heading to town when running honest races over a mile. Think coming back to 1400m will suit him. MACK MACK is better than what he displayed first-up. He’s versatile and can be ridden forward or rearward depending on how he jumps. MEET JOE BLACK has run impressive back to back minors.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – AL QUEPONE EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,2,3,4,6,9

2,3,6

3,5

1,2,3,4,7

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