Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

KINGS COURT looks a jump and run Initial Plate winner in the making. The 400m jump out was electric (23.41), he should have no troubles being the first horse to find the fence and he hails from a powerful juvenile yard. Going to be short. STATEWIDE and STRIDEAWAY were both held up at crucial stages in the same 1000m barrier trial at Belmont and both looked to have plenty to offer. They’ll get back but they both look professional. WHY SHE STAYED has had 2x 950m trials and has looked good on both occasions. Likely to eye off the breeze.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 8 – 10

Suggested Bet – KINGS COURT WIN

RACE 2

AIN’T NO OTHER MAN nearly ran down Bravo Centurion at Belmont two starts back and then wasn’t disgraced behind sharp filly Sinful Living last time out. He returns to Ascot, he drops back in grade and he can either push through to lead or box seat in a race with plenty of speed. Well placed and loves the 1100. NORICH was nearly a good thing beat first-up when climbing over the back of the leader’s heels on straightening. Clearly returned in good order. OREGON HIKER has won back to back 1000m races but this looks harder and the barrier hurts. LET’S TALK won well on debut.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – AIN’T NO OTHER MAN WIN

RACE 3

SIMPLY won impressively first-up and then ran into highly progressive staying type In Good Order on two occasions before stepping out in distance and recording a strong 2200m win. These 4 year olds returning from Derby preparations are flying and he has plenty more in store going forward. KERMAN ROCK is a massive beneficiary of the early withdrawal of Filthy Habits and coming back to Ascot and left alone out in front could be a sharp improver at odds. HEMLOCK STONE announced himself last start and has a big L600 when saved up. STOP DREAMING wasn’t disgraced last weekend in the Kalgoorlie Cup.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – SIMPLY WIN

RACE 4

GREAT FORTUNE could not have been more impressive last start when sent to the front by William Pike and running rivals into the ground. He was eased down to win by over 4L and stopped the clock 6L faster than average. Expect he’s ridden aggressively early again to get across and as a previous 2000m winner should have no troubles with the increase in distance. Flying. BE BARDOT is the horse that William Pike has elected to ride and she looks very progressive. Will get back and need a three deep train to build. YALLINGUP GIRL can hold up from an inside draw and run a cheeky race. DECORATION was gritty at Kalgoorlie last weekend.

Numbers: 6 – 8 – 14 – 1

Suggested Bet – GREAT FORTUNE WIN

RACE 5

ALASKAN like In Good Order / Simply / Buckets Ridge / Decoration / Royal Toronado is a 4 year old returning from a WATC Derby preparation and while he didn’t beat a runner home in his recent trial he travelled well at the rear of the field and looked in good order. On the fresh side should be able to hold a spot midfield and this looks a winnable race for him at an eachway price. AMJAAD could not have been more impressive at her first start for Summer Dickson and her first outing in 427 days. Provided she’s come through well she’s a big chance in this. SAN FABRIZIO and HERE FOR CHEQUES both resume with weight from awkward draws but are more than capable at their best.

Numbers: 6 – 12 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – ALASKAN EACHWAY

RACE 6 

ROPE THEM IN didn’t let us down first-up and looks to have found another very suitable assignment as he works his way through the grades and on towards the Pinnacles. He’ll again land in a prominent position (could even lead?) and he looks to have improved from preparation to preparation. Big opinion of him. WANGO AWARD consistently goes under the radar and with only 52.5kg on her back she should measure up here. POMPEY was a brave weight carrying effort last start. FRIGID is far better suited here dropping back into a ratings race and maps to get the right run.

Numbers: 5 – 12 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet – ROPE THEM IN WIN

RACE 7

ESPRIT GARCON goes around in a 66+ and yet may be the most exciting galloper on the entire program at Ascot opening day. The grey won 4 from 4 last preparation progressing from a maiden through to a 72+ and his recent trial behind Baby Paris was enormous. He has gears and because of the bar plate on the hind and the wide barrier we’ll get a price about him. CHOLLIMA is 3 from 3 undefeated fresh and each of those wins have been electric. She gets 6.5kg on Brave Spirit from their Raconteur encounter. Don’t dismiss. BRAVE SPIRIT is a Stakes winning 3 year old who resumes here off a nice trial. MISS FLIRTACIOUS showed a nice turn of foot to win first-up.

Numbers: 5 – 14 – 3 – 16

Suggested Bet – ESPRIT GARCON WIN

RACE 8

SINFUL LIVING should find the fence first and that then gives William Pike options as others come across including Keep Ita Mystery / Onemoretwomany. She’s capable of absorbing pressure and she fights on at the end of her races. REPOSSESSION was green and wayward on debut but still got the job done and looked far more professional in his recent trial. Brad Parnham jumping off Sir Dreamalot a big indicator. WEST STAR likely has to go back from the outside gate. Not easy to win from wide/rear at Ascot over 1000m but his trial was very good and his figures are elite. GOLDEN KATHLEEN has excellent point to point acceleration.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 4 – 14

Suggested Bet – SINFUL LIVING EACHWAY

Same Race Multi – Sinful Living (Top 4) + Repossession (Top 4)

Wide open Max Simmonds Stakes in 2024 and with pre-post favourite West Star drawn the outside barrier and likely forced to snag back to last it throws the race open. Don’t need to be too aggressive with the SRM and going with two horses who are mapped to get the right runs to finish Top 4: Sinful Living who leads and Repossession who likely lands 1×1.

RACE 9

CUT THE TALK went around $4.80 in a Summer Scorcher on New Years Day. Resumes first-up, no trial and is a proven 1000m horse who has speed to burn and rarely runs a bad race. Looks like finding the front here without doing too much work early and if he’s ready to go fresh then double figures looks an attractive price. ALMIGHTY CLASS won the Max Simmonds Stakes on opening day in 2023 and beat Ripcord. He has trialled brilliantly leading into his return and looks the testing material. Ready to work his way through the grades. TOROPA comes back to 1000m in the middle of her preparation which may not be ideal? STORMCHASER has won previously off 91 days.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 12 – 1

Suggested Bet – CUT THE TALK EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

5

5

4,5,8,9,14

1,3,6,11,12

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