Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview

RACE 1

LATE FLYER is the full brother to Perth Cup winner Midnight Blue and looks a real one paced staying type. Would have preferred this to be a full 2200m maiden rather than 2050 but still looks to get his chance to break through. MILYEANNUP went around favourite in that same race behind Desert Edge. She might be better drawn wide than in close as it tends to take her a while to wind up. TROOPER PHOENIX comes through the Abissi race and we’ll see the Abissi vs Desert Edge form on show at Belmont Wednesday. HORUS is going along alright.

Numbers: 4 – 9 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – LATE FLYER WIN


RACE 2

HELL’S CITI ran second behind Prospector’s Pick last start and that form is already holding up nicely. Has shown more than enough to suggest that he’ll take beating in this and has the speed to cross a fair few of those drawn inside him to lob into a prominent position close handy in running. Nice race for him. BE BARDOT is drawn wide but no doubt will still be very popular. Trial win in October 2023 was strong and then has been given another 3 trials this time in to get her ready for race day. NEW EXPRESSION trialled quietly behind Tra La La and then toughed it out well enough on speed in his second trial. KIMBERLEY CURRENCY has shown plenty of speed on occasion.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet – HELL’S CITI WIN


RACE 3 

TRA LA LA did it very tough first-up. She was clearly the quickest out of the machine but then there were two horses who drove up hard underneath her, including eventual winner Kraken Time. She sat three deep outside the speed and was still there with 200m to go. Second-up she should nearly cross down to the fence and if she does she’ll be hard to get past. CAPABLE ANGEL has run well on numerous occasions now and should have finished closer last start. She just has to overcome a really tough draw. ALL VITAL trialled nicely of his return and is drawn soft. REEL SERENITY won her recent 1000m trial but in slow time.

Numbers: 8 – 6 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet – TRA LA LA WIN


RACE 4

KING’S ARTILLERY comes through two very strong form races. First-up ran into My Hidden Universe, Petrouchka, Classic Ruler in the fast run winner producing maiden and then ran into Prospector’s Pick second-up. This race looks much more suitable, he gets out to 1400m, he draws well and he gains the services of William Pike. Plenty to like. VENTURO went under at $1.38 last start and never really looked the winner at any stage in running. Jury out. BIRD ON A WIRE is bursting to win a race and surely pinches on soon? LEAD BY EXAMPLE can sprint well fresh.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 7 – 8

Suggested Bet – KING’S ARTILLERY WIN


RACE 5

BOLTCO JACK was solid first-up when drawn barrier 1 at a fence off meeting and then backed it up with a strong L600 behind handy filly Rissoles when settling a long way back in running. Blinkers go on third-up and he gets another 100m to wind up. Looks very winnable for him. MISS DE BEERS finished second to Kraken Time and if he was to win at Belmont or Tra La La to win earlier in the program that form will look really good. REGAL SERVICE was just getting warm late on debut. Wants ground by the looks. I’M CRAFY is doing a bit wrong but has some talent.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet – BOLTCO JACK WIN


RACE 6

CLOSE AT HAND finished 3.5L behind Joker’s Grin first-up in a 3 year old 0MWLY and now drops back into a C1. Chanel Cooper’s 3kg claim brings him back down to a winnable weight and pretty happy following anything that has Joker’s Grin form – he’s a beast. UNDERCOVER SNIPER was a brilliant fresh winner down the 1000m straight at Pinjarra. Always difficult to assess those straight 1000 wins going to a race around the bend. HIT THE JACKPOT is very speedy and looks to cross Kipitaki early. SECRET DEPLOY a watch.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet – CLOSE AT HAND WIN


RACE 7

QUEEN OF JERUSALEM was ~6 weeks between runs at 2000m last start and got the job done in style. She’s been at Adam Durrant’s before and she’s clearly loving being back there. No reason why she can’t win again. FLASH PADDY looks the kind of horse who could make his way through the lower graded staying ranks. He is looking for ground now and is lightly raced compared to a lot of these. MAGIC WHISTLE sneaks back in grade and maps well. ARNRAY runs for Troy Turner.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 7 – 5

Suggested Bet – QUEEN OF JERUSALEM WIN


RACE 8

VILLAGE GIRL is bursting to win a race. She has been excellent all preparation without much luck and like many punters thinking that the My Hidden Universe form is worth following. Will need a good ride from another tough gate but she’s flying. CHOIXWAY was able to lead and control last start (first 800 run almost 9L slower than average) and from there was always going to kick strongly late. Think he might actually be wanting 1400+ this prep. SHEZGOTTHALOT can show a sharp turn of foot from time to time. DEETEA is going much better than it reads on paper.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – VILLAGE GIRL WIN


RACE 9

MAGICAL GEM was a strong winner at Belmont Park in a C3 1200 last time out. In late betting he was actually $18 into $12 so there were a few astute players out there that found him and considering that he usually takes a few runs to reach his peak he should be hard to beat again. COVERT ROSE will ultimately get out over further but is capable of winning one over this distance range on her way through. NOBEL LAURENCE ran third to Best Mood & Generosity and then was wide throughout followed by held up the entire. PARIS CALLING is a quality filly for this grade but lumps 60.

Numbers: 11 – 7 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – MAGICAL GEM WIN


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,4

3,4,5,6,7,8

1,2,4,8

3,7,11

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