Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Bunbury Preview

RACE 1

TWISTED STEEL made a mess of them on debut at Northam, winning by 4L and it was revealed post-race that his trackwork partner was now Saturday winner Mardusa (and that he works better!). He’s still new and raw but expecting he will glide across into a promiment position over the speed and take beating. HUBBLE’S DRAGON comes through the same trial as impressive debut winning stablemate King Of Light and he certainly attacked the line late. GIRLS ON FIRE has done nothing wrong in her career to date. SHERPA EXPRESS wasn’t far off Country God in his recent trial.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – TWISTED STEEL WIN


RACE 2

BARTIME led and won a Westspeed 1400 at Pinjarra by over 2.5L and then last weekend was in front for a long way before being gunned down over the last 200m. On the 7 day spin, back to a rain affected track and should cross with ease. Eachway all day. CRUSE TO VICTORY went around 150-1 first-up when wide and working throughout and still managing to run second behind talented 3 year old God’s Gate. Second-up he draws better, drops in grade and has William Pike going on. Plenty to like. ASPHALT swims. He dare to put 7 on them Sunday. HISTORY WON’T CARE has returned in excellent order.

Numbers: 7 – 4 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet – BARTIME EACHWAY


RACE 3

FAMOUS DAIN won a 66+ 1690 two back beating subsequent winner Lord Gannicus and then backed up off 7 days into a 2000m event, even after his trainers had publicly declared that he just doesn’t stay! Back in grade, back in distance and just needs to get across from a tricky draw. TRUE PLAYER might be looking for 2000+ but that’s probably offset by the fact that this is a 1690 on a ~Soft7. He’s an emerging stayer and is more than capable of winning this on his way through to the distance races in coming weeks. ALASKAN was far better last weekend but similarly might want ground quickly? MORE THAN ENUFF gives 110%.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – FAMOUS DAIN EACHWAY


RACE 4

OUR PALADIN AL was enormous over the last 200m last start. He’s still doing everything wrong: he doesn’t jump, he intermittently travels in running, he lays inwards across heels in the home straight – but once he finally balances and puts his mind on the task he has a booming finish. This is a huge step up in grade from a Grad to the Aquanita but he’s exciting and we’ll take the leap of faith with him. ELITE MISSILE has finished second and third behind Opportunistic. That’s the A-Grade form. REDBACK FLYER was gassed in the Belmont Guineas but came again late. ARCADIA PARK likely leads and walks?

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – OUR PALADIN AL WIN


RACE 5

LORD SHIVA is quick, but so is Desert Whisper and so is Miss Flirtatious. Interesting to see what Holly Watson’s plans are in the early stages when the filly burns across to her outside; does she hold up and absorb the pressure or does she hand up and track her every move? Both are going super but will give advantage to LORD SHIVA with the gate. WANT A WINNER is now three from three undefeated and while he made hard work of his first-up win he still managed to get the job done and that’s the sign of a good horse. Back to a high speed 1000m will be a good test for him. BRAVE VENTURE is a quality animal on his day. Don’t discount at big odds.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet – LORD SHIVA EACHWAY


RACE 6 

FANCY RED should be taking care of her rivals here. Every year Adam Durrant seems to find a winter filly who just continues to raise the bar and goes from a maiden into the Belmont Oaks and this is yet another example. Beat the older horses last week, backs up off 7 days, draws to get all the favours and strikes a race with 4x maidens and 7x Class Ones. Little trier who keeps improving and just needs to stay the trip. SHOWLAS held her own impressively behind Opportunistic, Storyville and Elite Missile. They’re good names. KIMBERLEY ROSE will get back but does look like she’ll be able to sustain a run from the back. IMPRESSIVE JEWEL may well roll to the top?

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet – FANCY RED WIN

Same Race Multi – Fancy Red (Win) + Kimberley Rose (Top 4)

Fancy Red looks mighty hard to beat in the 2024 Belmont Oaks. She’s on the 7 day back-up after being the older horses last weekend and provided she runs out the distance she should be too classy for her rivals. Kimberley Rose has given the indication over recent starts that she’ll stay and adds value to the SRM.


RACE 7

SUNNY HONEY has been in form all preparation and deserves to win one. Was brave in defeat last start after doing plenty of work in the run and now from the gate should be able to park and ride behind a genuine tempo and present down the middle of the track: right place, right time. SENTIMENTAL BELLE went to a whole new level at Belmont last winter on the rain affected tracks. No doubt they’ve been timing their return with her. SUPERSESSION is back to his best. The only query will be barrier 1 by this time of day. NO BRAINER is 4 from 5 and resumes without a trial.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 4 – 12

Suggested Bet – SUNNY HONEY EACHWAY


RACE 8

SUPERNATURAL looks really well placed by Adam Durrant into this 66+ 1400. Beat the older horses fresh at 1100m, got the line well in an on speed dominated 1000m behind Desert Whisper second-up and then third-up at 1200m was working through late into fifth beaten under half a length. Another 200m, Pike and a pattern which likely suits by the end of the day – out wide and storming home. Sold. REGAL STATUE has been building towards a win and forget the wide gate, it could be a blessing. GREAT FORTUNE makes his own luck and will get them chasing. DECORATION is going better than numerical form suggests.

Numbers: 15 – 12 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – SUPERNATURAL WIN


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

6,7,8

1

1,4,6,9,10,12

4,12,15

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