Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

RACE 1

HOT AND HIGH was extremely impressive on debut. She tracked up a hot tempo and pounced half way up the straight to record an emphatic victory, both visually and sectionally. The overall race time was 6L faster than average and that should put her in a good place to head into a 3 year old 0MWLY and remain undefeated. LONG SERVICE LEAF won in this grade on debut and then beat the older horses last start in a C3. The excuse for his odds on defeat at Ascot seems to be that he was ridden too close so expect that Brad Parnham gives him time to find his feet. INTOXICATING was able to sprint over them last start but a bit of a query on that race given the near half hour delay. PYGMALION is racing well.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet – HOT AND HIGH WIN


RACE 2

WESTERN JET made his debut off the back of a really quiet trial and he looked like he had pinched it half way up the straight before Maalis Song got over the top. Was very green and very wayward, to the point where CJP elected not to use the whip in the home straight, so hopefully there’s plenty of natural improvement fitness and experience wise to be expected and that seems him go close at start two. MISS DEFIES ME really caught the eye at trials. Love the way she extended late and think the pair in front of her go good too. Big respect. GUARANTOR was never on the track at his return in a forgive. LA EXCELLENCE continues to knock on the door.

Numbers: 5 – 11 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – WESTERN JET WIN


RACE 3

STORM AWAY was excellent at his return to racing in the Max Simmonds when finishing less than 1.5L behind Talkanco (now a Burgess Queen runner-up), Luana Miss (now a Placid Ark Prelude winner) and a host of other top tier 3 year olds. Second-up was beaten 3.6L behind now Fairetha Stakes winner King Of Light and here drops back into an all age maiden. Great chance to break through. CONCHETTA’S DREAM couldn’t go with Long Service Leaf on debut but he has won again since and she resumes off a 7 week freshen over a more suitable 1200m. Looks a race in two and likely priced accordingly. ZALI’S GIFT now has shades. FILA MIA isn’t showing the same zip as she demonstrated as a 2 year old.

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – STORM AWAY WIN


RACE 4

SAAM TIME LUCKY has to be the starting point for this C1 event. He last raced in a Saturday 60+ Graduation and finished second to WA Guineas bound Buthelezi and even rode a bump from stablemate Kelora in the process. Drops right back into a C1, has 59.5kg after the 3 year old allowance and is drawn to get the run of the race. This is the easiest race he has seen since breaking his maiden, and clearly so. FLINDERS LANE is sectionally going okay and trainer Metro Brown fresh off a Melbourne Cup Day double flexes his muscles by booking Pike. FRIAR’S LEGACY is travelling well into his races but hitting a real flat spot on straightening. GINGER AND TONIC does no work.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – SAAM TIME LUCKY WIN


RACE 5

PUBLICISE nearly pinched a 3 year old 0MWLY 1200m when leading until the final strides before being swamped and finishing third beaten under a length. Went to Bunbury into a maiden on Melbourne Cup Day and narrowly getting the job done. Looks like a filly who is improving with every race day experience and she’s got more versatility and upside than most of her rivals here. LANFRANCO had admirers first-up in the Nicciana maiden at Northam and then dominated second-up, with the runner-up bolting in her next start to frank the form. Just needs a good steer from a tricky alley. DIAMONDS’N’RUBIES won well at the end of last campaign. AUTO CRUISE is lightly raced and has some ability.

Numbers: 9 – 6 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – PUBLICISE WIN


RACE 6

MAALIS SONG and NINE BALL both look like gallopers who can (will) be winning 60+ Graduation races and then Saturday ratings races later in their careers. Going to side up with MAALIS SONG who benefitted from a quiet and educational Belmont Park trial to score first-up with a barnstorming turn of foot. Think he’s the kind of horse who can win his way through the grades quickly and Meryl Hayley’s yard is flying. NINE BALL has had a let up after being rolled as favourite in her first Saturday attempt. Was ridden close handy that day and seems to go far better when allowed to find her feet. CAPE LEEUWIN is a Saturday winning 2 year old and finds this lengths easier than the Belgravia. RALLY THE TROOPS has always promised plenty.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – MAALIS SONG WIN


RACE 7

BOUSSAC has been patience testing across his career but his fresh run at 1200m actually had some merit. He looked to be chasing from a fair way out and gave the indication that he really wanted 1400m. Gets that here second-up and while he’s been costly, this looks the kind of race where he could go around eachway and that’s exactly what you need about a galloper like him. SOUTH HOBA started her career at trials in WA before heading to Victoria where she won a Pakenham maiden at 1400m. Has returned to WA, has trialled quite well and Dion Luciani has booked Pike. Big market watch. CRYPTIC JOY is suited to barrier 1 and being ridden for a late split. Has a short but sharp sprint. MUDDY WATERS was held up bolting fresh and then got the job done at odds second-up.

Numbers: 4 – 9 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – BOUSSAC EACHWAY


RACE 8

SECRET IDENTITY had his first start for new trainer Kath Pinter when finishing third behind key rival Mia Gusto. He was held up on straightening on multiple occasions and thought he did a great job to get within 2L late. With the rider change it’s a 4.5kg swing and the step to 1600m only enhances the chances of Secret Identity. Drawn to get the run of the race and looks like he’s back to somewhere near his best which saw him reach a peak rating of m70 (now m60). MIA GUSTO is a new mare in the care of Greg Kersley and with Holly Nottle suspended it’s Pike’s turn to guide her around. She’s showing a big turn of foot. Never won at 1600m before but happy to completely ignore that. ATLANTIS BEACH is suited to this grade and is racing well. BATTLE COMMANDER has won his last two and leads soft?

Numbers: 14 – 7 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – SECRET IDENTITY EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

6,9

4,5

1,3,4,5,9

2,3,5,7,11,14

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