Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

RACE 1

OLD MATE HENRY drew barrier 12/12 first-up at Bunbury on a heavy on-speed/on-fence program and ran really well against the pattern. Second-up he steps out in trip, draws far better and hopefully can use that barrier to his advantage to settle a few pairs closer and most importantly a few lengths clear of his main rival in Pearl King. PEARL KING hasn’t raced since October 2024 but love the way he extended late in his trial once tested by CJP. HOYA DESTROYER can’t draw a barrier to save himself (they even nommed Thursday and drew 26/30). DARK AMBITION got gassed on debut from the breeze in a fast run race.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 11

Suggested Bet – OLD MATE HENRY WIN


RACE 2 

AIN’TSOBAD worked her way through the grades impressively last campaign from a maiden to a C1 to a C3 in a winning hattrick before testing the waters in a 60+ Graduation and finishing fifth. She’s trialled up super for her return to racing and she’s struck a fairly thin C3 1000. Sits up on speed and think she’ll prove a bit classy for these. Nice mare. FLAGSHIP is a 3 year old 0MWLY victor who is well placed in a C3. He can sit leader’s back and attack when they fan for home along the cutaway zone. SOMETHING ROYAL was less than 3L off Immortal Bliss & Snow God last start. DUBAI’S DAUGHTER loved life in Esperance.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – AIN’TSOBAD WIN


RACE 3

GUARD THE MULLAH trialled brilliantly at Belmont on a Heavy8 on 4 August and then a fortnight later sat three deep the trip in his second trial and was still finding the line late. He’s clearly returned in good order, he seemingly will handle the Heavy9/10 conditions on race day and he’s drawn to get a lovely stalking run close handy. ROCK FEST wanted to lay inwards in his trial but once CJP pulled the whip through to the left he really responded nicely and was powering away late. BRIDGEPORT looks a big lump of a colt who like his brother Zipaway will continue to get better and better with racing. GIRLS ON FIRE is also accepted for a C1 1400 Thursday.

Numbers: 6 – 8 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – GUARD THE MULLAH EACHWAY


RACE 4

STAR SUPREME will certainly divide opinions. She’s a trial star – she’s barrier trialled 6 times in her life and won 4 of them by a combined margin of 15.6L – clearly has above average ability. She’s also a maiden mare, with bars on, who takes on C1 opposition and carries 2kg more than she would in the All Age 1100m maiden at Northam on Thursday – those are the worries. Can understand both viewpoints but going to trust the eye and the judgement of Hall of Fame trainer Neville Parnham and back her in fresh. LIPSTICK JUNGLE is now 3 year old Saturday back to C3 back to C1. She’s a big threat. MISSISSIPPI DAWN may want further. ADDICTIVE DREAM looks a nice bread and butter mare.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – STAR SUPREME WIN


RACE 5

BUNDABERG broke his maiden against the older horses like an animal who belonged on a Saturday and the punters certainly thought so last start when they crunched him in betting from $7 into $3.50 in a 3 year old Plate. He’s 1400m back to 1200m, 3 year old Saturday back into a midweek C1, carries less weight after the ZJP claim and he’ll go around a bigger price. Lots to like. SNIPER’S SON is knocking on the door and expect the Riva Aquarama form to hold up. Parks and rides the speed and another wonderful use of the 3kg claim. BATTLE COMMANDER likewise, Westspeed back to C1 – huge. CAVALLO RED will need it to be wide/swoopers.

Numbers: 10 – 5 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – BUNDABERG WIN


RACE 6

CENTRE BOND is really starting to test the patience. He’s got far more ability than a 10 start C1 but he also seems to find bad luck/traffic if it’s there to be found. Luckless first-up in a race (meeting) dominated by those on speed and second-up he looks well suited under 56.5kg, especially if he can leave the gates cleanly and hold a spot behind a frenetic top end tempo. Gets another chance. LINDEN’S GOLD is a Heavy9 winner and even if he parks three and four deep the trip, horses run for Holly Nottle. COLOSSAL and VILLAGE GIRL can both turn the tables on Tropicconi from last start without surprising.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – CENTRE BOND WIN


RACE 7

AL UNIQUE did a great job to get within 1.5L of Admired (how?), Alaskan and Fioreyes last start when only second-up at 2200 and drops right back in grade here. By this stage of the day the wider lanes could be the best lanes? ILGIRO DELMONDO absolutely bolted in last start and there’s nothing to suggest she can’t do the same here. SLUICE BOX is a 10 year old who hasn’t won for over 1100 days, however, his recent form is actually alright. Gets 4.5kg on Sunny Times from their Kal encounter. Don’t dismiss the old boy. SUNNY TIMES has made a really encouraging start to his WA career and is a proven stayer.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – AL UNIQUE EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,6

2,5,10

2,5,6,8,10

1,3,5,6,7

Market Market