Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

ALL ON RED trialled well leading into his debut and once he found the front it was all over in quite typical 2 year old racing style. He rises up to 58kg under the SWP conditions and is drawn barrier 9/10 but with key rival Texan Dream to his outside it looks another wonderful chance for Luke Campbell to put the foot down early and ride him like the best horse in the race. Little professional. SUPERSMASH has shades on in her debut after trialling in them. Led in that trial and was able to rack and stack before holding them all off late. ONE LAST RESORT was in that trial and didn’t get much room to move and work into it. LIKE A ROCK had to sustain a run in that trial and has since had a sharpening 400m jump out.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet – ALL ON RED WIN


RACE 2 

FIRST ENCOUNTER resumed in a 78+ 1400 on Opening Day and the back markers were completely unsuited by the race shape. The first 800m was run 6L slower than average and they were sectionally impossible from straightening. He ran the fastest L1200, 1000, 800, 600, 400 & 200 of the race and even broke 11 seconds his last furlong, just to get within 2L of the winner. Back in grade (x2) and up in distance. Great race for him to prove too classy. BE BARDOT was only fair last week. She tracked into the race like she was going to play a part and looked to peak on the run. On the 7 day spin and gets Pike back. DON’T WAIT FOR LUCK found a new trick in Kal and can lead this easily. AUTUMN REBEL has had a freshen.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – FIRST ENCOUNTER WIN


RACE 3

KRAKEN TIME was some run in defeat on Opening Day. As soon as Bartime handed up mid-race to Surfside Session it was game, set, match for Kraken Time and yet somehow once he get clear he was able to get within half a length. Drawn out is better than drawn in and while he’s been near impossible to catch across his career, we’re going to trust the eye and hope that Saturday is finally the day. SURFSIDE SESSION was able to take advantage of that slow early-middle stage tempo and was able to control and dictate the race. There’s more speed in this so he’ll do it a bit tougher but he’s still getting better with racing. AMERICAN ESCAPE is a handy mare for this grade and should get a soft run. GREAT EDITION has been a model of consistency all prep.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet – KRAKEN TIME WIN


RACE 4

MISSISSIPPI DAWN was savaging the line last start and should only be getting better into her campaign. This race again looks like it’s got plenty of tempo and that will allow her and CJP to settle rearwards and then join the three deep train from the 600. If she’s within 3 – 4L on straightening she’s hard to hold out. MAXWHOOSHTAPIN was huge last start when covering additional ground under the 60kg impost and forced to take off before the home corner. There’s no doubt he was brave, but the issue is his barrier/map again with Saulok, Capable Angel, Exquisite Taste all drawn underneath him? CAPABLE ANGEL was three deep outside the leader in that event and was entitled to put up the white flag late. Should get a much softer run here. ROMANTIC RULER has turned a corner. He’s a genuine Graduation horse now.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet – MISSISSIPPI DAWN WIN


RACE 5

GO GO GROMMET has been in wonderful form for 3 – 4 months now and deserves to win one. He’s back to 1000m, he’s drawn a gate, ZJP is riding him brilliantly and he should be within striking distance on straightening at double figures. Had to come via the carpark last start and prior to that had run five consecutive minors. LAST STYLEBENDER won a Cranbourne maiden leading throughout in August. If they’re on top of his barrier manners then he’s got the ability to lead and win this. FLYING FRANKIE held his own at 150-1 in the Max Simmonds and that’s already proving a brilliant form race. ROLLING RULER is a serious talent. He’s a big, strong sprinter with massive upside and raw talent.

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 9 – 6

Suggested Bet – GO GO GROMMET EACHWAY


RACE 6

KAY TEE WHY is showing gears that few sprinters in WA possess. Joker’s Grin is the best sprinter in WA, Rope Them In probably holds the call as the second best and then there’s a big vacancy for someone to announce themselves over the next few months and it looks like Kay Tee Why could be that animal. He’s 3/3 undefeated at the Ascot 1000 and while barrier 10/10 is another hurdle to jump he’s just getting warm by the looks. SILVER EYE got the rails run on a rails day and pushed him hard last start. Couldn’t be going any better. HANCHI drops out of the Golden Saddle at WFA back into a ratings race. ALL PLAY is still doing too much wrong and when they’re desperate to sit him it’s going to be costly to punters.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – KAY TEE WHY WIN


RACE 7

ANTIQUE STAR probably should have won last start. She was held up in the home straight at crucial stages and looked to be bolting under Amy Jo Hayes, with absolutely no where to go. She’ll land in a similar spot in running here and with clear galloping room she can make amends. With the addition of I Love Your Smile / Ryewood/ My Mate she should even hold up eachway. I LOVE YOUR SMILE is proving a Pike only commodity. His return to the saddle can’t be underestimated. LOMBADINA has now proven herself as a stayer and a win isn’t far away. MY MATE hasn’t won a race since April 2022 (Scott Morrison was still Prime Minister) but it’s hard to ignore what he produced last start.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet – ANTIQUE STAR EACHWAY


RACE 8

PLAYIN’ IT SWEET is gunning for a fifth straight win as she progresses from 2 year old SWP, to 3 year old SWP to 66+ and now 72+ grade. She’s just a ripping race filly who does everything you ask of her: tactically versatile, has a turn of acceleration, wins races from 1000m to 1400m and looks like she’ll get further. This is another step up for her against some quality, seasoned older opponents but she (just like mum) just keeps winning. SEPTEMBER BORN won the Fairetha Stakes this time last year and then had noted feet issues in the WA Guineas and the aborted winter preparation. His trial this time around was sharp and importantly there’s no bar plates in sight. ASPHALT returned off 80 days, carried 58.5kg, sat wide throughout and dropped them off on straightening. He’s a serious talent.   OPPORTUNISTIC trialled and raced like he wants at least 1600+. Lumped with 60kg here could be telling.

Numbers: 11 – 6 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – PLAYIN’ IT SWEET WIN


RACE 9

TALKANCO has won a Gimcrack, Karrakatta and Max Simmonds in her last three outings and she stays at 57kg under the Black Type SWP conditions. For her to win first-up at 1000m says she’s come back even better as a 3 year old and provided she finds the right back to follow into the race she’ll be very hard to hold out late. KING OF LIGHT is the X-Factor horse. He went two from two over winter and trialled like a bomb the first time around. Second trial wasn’t asked for much but certainly didn’t look as sharp, and after the Twisted Steel abject failure just a little wary of the winter form. SNITZALATTE should have finished closer in the Max Simmonds after being held up at a crucial stage. ZOURUN RUN was a high priced yearling who should plenty in her initial preparation.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 10 – 13

Suggested Bet – TALKANCO WIN

Same Race Multi – Talkanco (Top 3) + King Of Light (Top 3)

Do think that either Talkanco or King of Light will ultimately take out the 2025 Belgravia Stakes on their way towards the Bugess Queen and Fairetha Stakes respectively, however, in case of bad luck we’ll take both to finish Top 3. Talkanco is a winning machine and King Of Light so far undefeated.


RACE 10

KELORA is going as well as he possibly can and this looks weaker than his last two when splitting Climb On Top / Wembanyama and Asphalt / Hymns Of Eladdair. The two favourites are last start Northam maiden winners so if he’s ever going to pinch one on a Saturday it could be this. STATEWIDE was only hitting top gear in the last 150m of his 1300m maiden win. You only need to watch his run in the WA Sires to sell yourself that he’s capable of taking the step straight into 60+ Graduation company on his way to the Fairetha and WA Guineas. CHINO LA DIVA was a cheeky run last start in a 66+ and held her own only beaten 2L Playin’ It Sweet. Sneaks back in grade and gets in under the radar. NICCIANA toyed with his rivals at Northam but the time was poor and the opposition were limited.

Numbers: 11 – 12 – 3 – 13

Suggested Bet – KELORA EACHWAY

Market Market