Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Port Hedland Preview

RACE 1

MARINES CRY won a recent 950m trial at Lark Hill by over 1L in decent time. Has very little (no) race form to speak of, however, Ryan Hill’s horses have been thriving on the dirt in recent weeks and Holly Nottle has been unstoppable to start her career. Going to put the filly on top on pure speculation. BOLTCO JACK has gotten better and better with each run. Out in trip and blinkers off. Like both moves by Kevin Mahoney. IFFUBLUSH finished less than a length off stablemate Sign The Papers at Marble Bar last weekend. BLACK CILA was a massive drifter in that event and missed away badly.

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – MARINES CRY WIN


RACE 2

TORQUED UP was some win at Carnarvon. Been a long time since a horse has landed 1×1, copped a face full of kick back and still travelled that well into the corner. Holly Nottle handled him brilliantly and now stepping into a 1300 at Port Hedland he should only be improving. SIMPLY ROSSO has enjoyed a ripper season for Timo Pike and two of his three wins have been here at Port Hedland. ROYALZEL did it tough two back and then didn’t travel at Marble Bar last weekend. Back to Hedland a huge plus. JUSTHANDY always thereabouts.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – TORQUED UP WIN


RACE 3

SHOOTING KONTIKI is always right in the finish of these races and see no reason from the barrier why Rosie Mahony won’t have him ideally positioned to get every chance. SHE IS GOD is lightly raced and it looks like Kyra Yuill has had first choice on all the Tom Pike runners throughout the program. INCANDESCENT LADY led and won at Carnarvon after being well supported in betting. Ryan Hill made a series of gear changes and they clearly had the desired effect. Out to 1300m a query? NOVATORIO doesn’t steer so a senior on is the right move.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 7 – 8

Suggested Bet – SHOOTING KONTIKI WIN


RACE 4 

BORDER CONTROL is putting his hand up as NW Horse of the Year at this rate. He is three from three undefeated at Port Hedland and last time out was both a galloping and riding exhibition when he beat a vastly similar line-up over 1200m. Rises to 1300m, rises another kilo but has had these covered all season. OUR KIWI PRINCESS made it back to back dominant wins at Marble Bar in 2024 and 2025. This is tougher. JACKEMJAMES landed huge bets last start when he turned his form around remarkably. WAKAN TANKA back in trip.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet – BORDER CONTROL WIN


RACE 5

KIA ORA TATOU is knocking on the door. Second to Mrs Kangaroo, second to She Is God and then second to Fellafromdownunder. Back to 1200m, races on top of the speed and is getting very close to pinching one. Is drawn awkwardly outside of a few speedy types so might have to cover ground but he’s back in trip so should be fit and tough. SIGN THE PAPERS and LIVING LIKE KINGS are both last start winners. Have to lean towards LIVING LIKE KINGS who won by 7L and ran the clock. MATSOKA is no star but he’s been trying hard all season.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – KIA ORA TATOU WIN


RACE 6

KENTUCKY BLUE is a model of consistency and you know what you’re going to get with him. He was run down by Urban Warrior last start but should be peaking now and with a 1.5kg weight swing for a three quarter length margin he should be going close. URBAN WARRIOR put the writing on the wall leading into last start and his win was certainly no surprise. FELLAFROMDOWNUNDER can be a nightmare at the barriers. Provided he loads and jumps he’ll be finishing off hard. UNI QUEEN was put into the contest at Marble Bar and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – KENTUCKY BLUE WIN


RACE 7

MERCIAN HYMN finally gets out to 2000m. He was working into his races nicely earlier in the preparation and has just been screaming out for ground. Think he might just sneak a bit under the radar this time around and is going good enough to win. ZADAR ROCK is going super but barrier 1 is far from ideal for him. He’ll need a big ride from Bailey Webster because he’s not showing any level of gate speed anymore and so he could be locked away in traffic (and kickback). ACERMETRIC was huge last start at 1600m and did run second in the Broome Cup in 2024. BLAZING TYCOON won really well last start at remarkably his 21st run of the preparation dating back to July 2024.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – MERCIAN HYMN WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1

1,2,3

1,2,4,5,6

2,4,5,9

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