Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Junction Preview

RACE 1

HEARTFORD HOUSE won a 56+ 1000 at Carnarvon at the start of the campaign and then finished second to Primitive in a C3 1000 two starts later. The wheels have fallen off a bit since then but the race he contested last Sunday at Carnarvon that included Dark City, Saintly City and Golden Fighter is 10L better than this. Can bounce back, especially if able to work his way to the top. WOJTEK and MRS KANGAROO are both speedy and drawn underneath him so they’re sure to make him work throughout. SPEAKING SWAHILI is a maiden but Maley in Junction – beware.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – HEARTFORD HOUSE WIN


RACE 2

SPEEDY PYE was a strong winner of a 56+ 1200 three starts back when beating home talented type Bolta. Last week at Carnarvon finished fourth 2.7L behind Compak, Moorumbine and Wise Words. This looks an easier assignment and she usually ran well on the back-up when racing in Albany. PROTECTED ACTION would be a big improver at odds if he was able to burrow through and lead this. NIGHTS MYSTERY has been well backed in recent starts and comes right back in distance. RAKIURA has bounced between grades and mixed her form a bit this preparation.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet – SPEEDY PYE WIN


RACE 3

CHEWING THE FAT comes through the On The Mark maiden which was run a whopping 11L faster than maiden average (and considerably faster than the Class and Ratings horses on the same program!). If he can run to that level again 20 days later he’ll likely meet with support in betting and be very hard to hold out. Looks his best chance yet. SCHNOOTS makes sense. Straight to the front, Maley on Junction Cup Day and leaders on the dirt. Big respect. MEXICAN QUEEN ran a ripper in the On The Mark/Chewing The Fat race and should only improve. SLOGITSON tried hard last weekend behind And Then What.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet – CHEWING THE FAT WIN


RACE 4

KENTUCKY BLUE and TALKABOUTYOU look set to fight out the finish of this 1400m race. They’re both on speed types who should nearly settle first and second in running and from there would be surprised if they didn’t dominate the race between themselves. Going to side up with KENTUCKY BLUE who comes into this on the fresher side 3 weeks between  runs and drops back from 1700 to 1400. TALKABOUTYOU has won his last two and the Leigh Murray stable is starting to produce a fair few winners. Big respect on the back up. WAR TACTICS was scratched last weekend without a rider. SHAMARA won at this meeting in 2023.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – KENTUCKY BLUE WIN


RACE 5

LAUTRE won over 200m at Broome last start and drops 3kg heading into the 2024 Junction Cup. He reared as the gates opened in 2023 and was uncompetitive so here’s hoping 12 months later that Cathy Godden’s team can have some redemption. He’s racing well and there’s not much between most of these. LUTZ won the Junction Cup last year. He’s probably not going quite as well but he’s proven on the track and drops 7.5kg on last start (same race as Lautre). LA CARTIER will see out the trip and gets a senior on. SLUICE BOX has no doubt been targeted at this for a long while.

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet – LAUTRE WIN


RACE 6 

ARCHER COUNTY was backed from $3 into $2 last start at Port Hedland and absolutely walked in. He was winning from the 1000m marker and was completely dominant. Don’t think this race is any tougher and like last Saturday at Kununurra Austin Galati looks to have a great book on paper. MOORUMBINE won at Junction last year and is on the quick back-up and importantly keeps Tash Faithfull. Ready to win. ROEY CLAM can be ridden for a bit of speed early and is going along well. ZEEWIJK always there abouts.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet – ARCHER COUNTY WIN


Quaddie (Race 3 – 6)

2,4,6

1,2

1,2,6,8

2,4

Market Market