Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

DO I FEEL LUCKY hails from the powerful juvenile yard of Sean & Jake Casey and makes his debut off a pair of handy 400m jump outs. Always risky following those types through to the races but trusting in the training operation and from the barrier in a small field he should get the run he needs to score. CASTLE ROAD is from an early running, winner producing family and should bounce on the lead. Hard to run down. BUCKLED over-raced in the shades on debut and now they’re taken off. TANGO RHYTHM caught the eye late in the Crystal Slipper after settling a mile off them.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – DO I FEEL LUCKY WIN


RACE 2

FAST FLICKER beat most of these last start and she should be landing in the breeze again (or even rolling to the top). She’s a tough mare, she’s an in form mare and she’s got an imposing 50% winning strike rate after 16 starts. She’ll settle in front of main danger Keshi Boom and on a day with an Easterly breeze blowing she’ll get every chance. KESHI BOOM has blinkers on first time and this looks the time for her to stand up and remind us of her ability. She won the Burgess Queen – Champion Fillies double in 2023 and went to the paddock 4 from 4 undefeated. She’s ready. BRUCE ALMIGHTY can run a cheeky from the box seat. RUSSIAN TO THE BAR will be winding up late.

Numbers: 2 – 7 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – FAST FLICKER WIN


RACE 3

NONESOSPICY is your perfect 1000m filly. She jumps the gates brilliantly, she settles underneath the rider to give herself a mid-race breather, she rails like a greyhound and then has a kick. Provided she can cross Supido Express and Nicely Played in the first 200m she’ll get every chance to lead and win again. SEVEN CANDLES is one that all trial watchers have been waiting to step out on debut. This is a tough ask for a first starter but he looks well above average. GOLD MAKER maps to get an identical run to last start when winning. ONEMORETWOMANY improved sharply last start.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – NONESOSPICY WIN


RACE 4 

DEVINE BELIEF looks really hard to run down here. She trialled the house down leading into her return to racing and ran into Joker’s Grin first-up. There’s no Joker’s Grins in this and she should safely get herself across to the breeze (at worst) in a race without that much early speed for a 72+ 1000. Undefeated second-up and looks one of the better bets on the program. TWAIN’S ANGEL was 6 from 6 undefeated until this preparation. She’s raced a bit below her best but this is a nice chance to bounce back. CELESTIAL STORM is an X-Factor. Trialled as well as Bravo Centurion at Lark Hill. RULER ROCKET next best.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 10 – 5

Suggested Bet – DEVINE BELIEF WIN


RACE 5

KERMAN ROCK is by no means an easy horse to catch, but on a 33 degree day with an Easterly breeze blowing he might just be able to pinch this. He ran the first 1500m a staggering 26L faster than average last start and they were all out on their feet over the last 600. Given the conditions he’s attractive at double figures. HENCHARD was huge in the same race and was brave to fight on for as long as he did. Should take great benefit from that run over the 2100. ARCADIA KNIGHT passed his first staying test with flying colours. CANDLELIGHT SUPPER finally notched up a well deserved victory.

Numbers: 11 – 5 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet – KERMAN ROCK EACHWAY


RACE 6

PROFIT POCKET like her stablemate Fast Flicker has returned in excellent order. Dead heat winner first-up, no trial at 1400m and then was swamped late by Janny last start who she meets 1kg better here. King Cartel leads, Profit and Pocket breezes – if that’s the case she’s a big chance. KING CARTEL hasn’t been far away at either run this campaign and like 99% of WA we’ll be playing the speed on Saturday. JANNY went to a new level ridden cold last start and defied a savage betting drift. BELLE JOURNEE is going better than it looks.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 5 – 13

Suggested Bet – PROFIT POCKET EACHWAY


RACE 7

RED SUN SENSATION has been solid at each run since arriving in WA and hoping that this time around they finally take him to the top and allow him to control the race. He led a Group Three at Moonee Valley over 2040m and was beaten in the final stride only 12 months ago and this race has absolutely no speed in it. Time is right. IN GOOD ORDER ran past him in the AJ Scahill Cup and put the writing on the wall. DIAMOND SCENE is the All-In favourite for the Perth Cup and rightfully so. 28 days between runs and up to 58kg the obvious concerns here. SIMPLY gets huge weight relief and a senior rider back.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 3 – 11

Suggested Bet – RED SUN SENSATION EACHWAY


RACE 8

STORYVILLE attempts to follow in the footsteps Perfect Reflection, Arcadia Queen, Kay Cee and Amelia’s Jewel and become the 5th filly in the last decade to win the Group One Ascot WFA 1800. In the right camp, with the right hoop, from the right draw and with the 50kg she does look a big contender. Champion Fillies into a WA Guineas and now a Northerly. Huge preparation, just hope she’s got something left in the tank. ATTRITION won the Hill Stakes at Rosehill, a race which profiles as a brilliantly for this (WFA 1900). He’s got a gate, he’s got versatility and Beau Mertens knows him. Just don’t watch the trial. SUPER SMINK was massive in the Railway and is drawn far better here. ZIPAWAY has shades back on and can bounce into a position.

Numbers: 16 – 2 – 14 – 12

Suggested Bet – STORYVILLE EACHWAY

Same Race Multi – Storyville (Top 4) + Attrition (Top 4)

Storyville has 50kg on her back, barrier 1 to her advantage, tactical versatility and William Pike aboard. Plenty to like about her as she looks to add her name to a growing list of 3 year olds to win this race. Attrition’s win in the Hill Stakes was outstanding and he can park right over the speed from the ideal barrier draw. Both Top 4.


RACE 9

SUNLIT FRESCO is incredibly quick. She’s coming up sharply in grade and is drawn out wide but expect that Brad Parnham will use the 55.5kg to his advantage and burn across in an attempt to find the fence. If she does, get the feeling she’ll measure up at this level. RICHANCO has been back to trials after an uncharacteristic abject failure last start. Expect they hit the re-set button here and ride him midfield with cover. ALL PLAY is a sharp sprinter when he’s on his best behaviour. Trevor Andrews has made a series of gear changes and in theory the high speed nature of this race should suit him. CATCH THE RED EYE is racing well.

Numbers: 12 – 5 – 6 – 13

Suggested Bet – SUNLIT FRESCO EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,5

2,3,4,5,11

2,7,12,14,16

5,6,12

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