Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

RACE 1

OREGON HIKER has returned in excellent order this campaign. First-up he ran really well down the 1000m straight on the ‘wrong’ side of the track behind Pin Deep (since won a C3) and then he was simply too quick for his rivals in what has turned into a great form reference race beating subsequent winners Ahyeahrighto and Empress Of India. On speed and in form. NORICH won first-up last campaign off 172 days and this looks a similar set up. DIVINE FLIRT scratched from Wednesday to save for this. HEZANGELIC was fair fresh.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet – OREGON HIKER WIN


RACE 2

SIR DREAMALOT enjoyed a brilliant 2 year old season, winning a 1000 SWP at Bunbury by 4.5L before winning the Listed Supremacy Stakes and finishing second to all conquering juvenile Bustling in the Perth Stakes. Trial was soft without blinkers and provided he can carry the 59.5kg his class should take him a long way in this. QUEEN OF HAWKS had shades on in her most recent trial and powered clear for a big trial win. Ben & Dan Pearce produced a 3 year old winner on debut last Saturday and this filly looks to have ability as well. KEEP ITA MYSTERY is tough. FLAGSHIP was off the map on debut.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – SIR DREAMALOT WIN


RACE 3

AIN’T NO OTHER MAN was targeted in betting last start and almost caused the boilover when looming large outside of $1.30 pop Bravo Centurion. This race doesn’t look to have as much depth and he looks like parking outside of likely leader and key rival Sinful Living. He loves high speed, high pressure racing and Madi Derrick’s claim keeps him at a winnable weight. SINFUL LIVING toyed with very moderate opposition last start and was classes above them. This is clearly harder but she drops down 4.5kg which is a big plus. CAPITAL FLIGHT is knocking on the door but faces a sticky map? UNDER INFLUENCE is a hard horse to follow.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – AIN’T NO OTHER MAN WIN


RACE 4

WANGO AWARD has been there abouts all preparation and last start was the beneficiary of a tactically brilliant ride from CJP. She struck a race without any speed or pressure and he took luck out of the equation and allowed her to dictate terms to them. She’s a better chaser and gets her chance to sit here in a race with a more genuine tempo. Goes super fresh (winner off 28 days and 32 days previously) and is often underestimated. DESERT NYMPH is in career best form and was sectionally elite last start after missing the kick. OTHERONESON will continue to build into his preparation and looks ready to win. LORD GANNICUS trialled super and ran very well first-up.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – WANGO AWARD EACHWAY


RACE 5 

VAST ART is brilliantly placed by Darren McAuliffe. Two starts ago was in a WFA when finishing 3L off Searchin’ Roc’s and Valour Road, last start was in a Listed Handicap when finishing half a length behind Saloon Bar, Triple Jay and Ginger Baker and now gets out to 1650m and returns to a ratings race. Everything points to him being very popular in betting and running extremely well. RIVER RUBICON is through the same form reference race and was only 1L behind Vast Art. Makes him the danger. ROKANORI did it tough last week in a fast run 1200. He can probably lead this? HOLY ENCHANTMENT won first-up over 1600 last prep and has trialled well.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – VAST ART WIN

Same Race Multi – Vast Art (Win) + River Rubicon (Top 3)

Pretty keen on Vast Art saluting in the Tabtouch Stakes. Listed WFA back into a Listed Handicap and now back into a ratings race – looks like the most suitable race of his preparation and he’s screaming out of 1600m. He’s well placed, well weighted and a horse on the rise. River Rubicon finished 1L behind him in the Farnley and confident that’s the best form reference.


RACE 6

HEMLOCK STONE had his first run over a staying trip last weekend when finishing off the race as well as anything behind Kalgoorlie Cup bound Stop Dreaming and ever-consistent front runner Filthy Habits. Backing up again off 7 days, back in grade, drawn to settle a pair closer and naturally improved for the run over the distance. Looks a great race for him. I LOVE YOUR SMILE put the writing on the wall last weekend and drops back into a Graduation after racing in higher grade her last six outings. BERNBRAE just can’t buy a win but she’s racing very well for her new trainer. RED DWARF next best.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – HEMLOCK STONE WIN


RACE 7

GREAT FORTUNE caught the eye at trials when stepping out for David Harrison and showed first-up it was no fluke when working home strongly into fourth. Second-up parked three deep the trip and showed great determination to hold out a fairly talented Simply Thinkin’. Maps a treat here and has a decent tempo to follow. SOLDANELLE is not an easy mare to catch but like the fact that Stef Vahala has kept her fresh a month between runs. GRAND RESERVE is a one paced grinding type who can sustain a run. FAMOUS DAIN’s form looks even better after Missile Storm landed the plunge Wednesday.

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – GREAT FORTUNE WIN


RACE 8

IN GOOD ORDER and SIMPLY ran the quinella last start in a 60+ Graduation mile and they look the pair again here a fortnight later. With a 1.5kg weight swing in favour of Simply and a barrier where Pike can stay off the fence and pull him out into clear air when he wants going to side up with him to turn the tables. IN GOOD ORDER looks the kind of galloper who will continue to work through the grades and as the distances increase only get better. He’s a Cups horse of the future. CLASSIC ROGUE hasn’t won for a while but Steele Casey has him going super. YALLINGUP GIRL will need some luck from a tricky alley.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet – SIMPLY WIN


RACE 9

MEAN MACHINE is the second placement clinic of the meeting from the DMac yard. Drops 3.5kg from a 3 year old Plate into a 60+ Graduation taking on the older horses and is just starting to fulfil the potential he showed early at trials. Sat three deep the trip last start and still loomed the winner before being swamped by Arcadia Park and Jackpot Bingo. Like that form. KING AKEED went from a maiden straight to a Graduation and really attacked the line behind Silver Eye. Big danger. ELITEONE put it all together last start for an emphatic and overdue victory. JELLY CAN RUN has been loving wet tracks. Good4 not usually his go.

Numbers: 9 – 6 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – MEAN MACHINE WIN


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,2,3,4,6

1,2,4,5,6,10

2,8

5,6,9

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