Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Mount Barker Preview

RACE 1

NISTIRITH is speedy, but whether she can hold on late is always going to be her issue in races. First-up, 1000m at Mt Barker, if she’s ever going to jump and run and pinch one it’s probably this country maiden. Have a lot of time for the horse she beat in the most recent trial  (Aberdeen Flyer – second to King of Light as a 2yo) and hopefully Holly Watson can zip across into a prominent spot. CHASON WINS has run some handy races, mainly down the 1000m straight, but did trial up nicely at Lark Hill recently and has a big barrier advantage. MISS TICKLE BOOM was kept safe on debut in a 3 year old 0MWLY but was beaten a long way. Shades straight on. TOMALIE was only half a length off 70+ type Storm Commander and Indianna Weinert is training a stack of winners in the region.

Numbers: 9 – 7 – 11 – 6

Suggested Bet – NISTIRITH WIN


RACE 2

MY TEA actually caught the eye at 60-1 fresh from a fair way off them in a leader dominated maiden behind Bannered and then was chipped away at in late betting second-up when pulling ground off Nailed’em late. Like the step to 1300m and can hopefully settle a pair or two closer in running. This race has 4/5 winning chances and should be nearly eachway the field? LASH OUT has always trialled like a handy horse but is yet to really put it fully together on race day. Blinkers will help, Pike will help more and in a race where they didn’t make any real ground fresh he did a good job to get within 3L from where he settled in running. FUNKY BOY is fit and has a senior back aboard. TIDWELL was thrown straight into a 3 year old 0MWLY on debut. Form is on show in the opener through Miss Tickle Boom.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – MY TEA EACHWAY


RACE 3

POLYVANOVA is a great horse for Giaan O’Donnell to keep sticking with. She jumps, she travels, she kicks into the corner and she tries hard. Big unknown how she will go at the end of the 1850m but it looks a race where she will get things entirely her own way out in front and if they leave her along for too long then she might start to sneak away before the corner. AH KUM has put in one good run in the prep: at 1800m with Pike. It’s the same set up here and as we see time and time again, he’s worth lengths to these horses. LORDGIVEMESTRENGTH is just starting to get warm deeper into her prep. Best run of the campaign last time out and is ready to go back out in trip. DELTA ANNE got home really well last start and can track around on the fence getting it cheap.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 9 – 7

Suggested Bet – POLYVANOVA WIN


RACE 4

BELLE JOURNEE won a 1720 at Narrogin five back and since then has raced honestly and consistently at 2000+. Not entirely convinced that she stays so back to 1850m is a positive and from the draw new hoop Shaun O’Donnell should be able to afford her every chance. Don’t mind the set up for her here. SUPER ROMANI had more than 12 months away from the races and is now third-up, fully fit and is back in grade, out in trip and they’ve booked Pike to carry the full 60.5kg. He’s a big lump (the horse Big Col, the horse) and shouldn’t have any troubles at all carrying the weight. Looks winnable for him. WAR MATTERS finally won a second race last time out and gets in with only 52.5kg after the claim. PURE CHINO is a funny mare who runs her races in patches.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 9 – 3

Suggested Bet – BELLE JOURNEE WIN


RACE 5

BANNERED led and won his maiden on Boxing Day and then went around in a 3 year old 0MWLY when beaten by impressive first-up winner Vatican Storm who was given a great push post-race by trainer Stef Vahala. Had the $1.80 favourite A Summer Fling comfortably beaten back in third and now finds himself in a Barker C2. NAILED’EM skipped clear for a dominant maiden win and is the biggest ranger. Just thinking that from the draw he’s a chance of being posted? Lovin’ On Me lead, Bannered breeze, then three deep Nailed’em? (Marybee there too in barrier 1) LOVIN’ ON ME also bolted in, in similar time to Nailed’em.  INSYDE SUCCESS looked like being a Saturday horse early in his career but unfortunately hasn’t lived up to expectations. He’ll be a nice 58+ Albany/Barker type for many seasons to come, but being 37 days between runs and drawn wide under 60.5kg, it’s an ask here.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 9 – 2

Suggested Bet – BANNERED WIN


RACE 6

PRINCE is going to be a great get for Sammy Sam Faithfull. Somehow got rolled in the photo finish first-up for the new yard but gets another wonderful opportunity here to open his account for new connections. Just looks the mapped horse of the race. BRAVE APACHE is down to 54kg after the claim, has a set of shades on and should get a lovely camp on the leaders who look on paper to cut at each other. KING CARTEL is well placed by Paul Hunter. After wining a 70+ he went down to talented 3 year old Reconnaissance, ran third to Oxbridge and then only finished 1.5L behind subsequent winner Amaroo Star in a 60+ Grad. Back into a c58+ and drawn to lead from the inside. DYNAMITE BAY might be 11 years old but he’s rapid. If he crosses King Cartel early it’s game on. Loves Barker.

Numbers: 5 – 8 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – PRINCE WIN


RACE 7

BONNY ROCK was a heart breaker last start when beaten the narrowest of margins by an emerging talent of the Mid-West in Snippety Legend. Should get a gun run here from the draw just tracking in behind the speed and should end up right place, right time on straightening. RIVER ANGEL is another from the travelling Team Williams operation and on the 54kg limit with William Pike riding, she’ll be understandably very popular. C3 form arguably stronger than the local 58+ horses and can jump out and put herself into a spot.  IMAPAGETHREE GIRL has been in consistent form the whole way through her campaign and these races are really suitable for her. WHERE’S MY LUNCH had a great campaign for Indianna Weinert last campaign wining a 46+ and C3 back to back. He’s extremely versatile but does typically take a run.

Numbers: 6 – 12 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – BONNY ROCK WIN


RACE 8 

IMMORTAL BLISS has been well placed throughout his WA career but Grant & Alana Williams and his first-up run behind sharp 1000m mare Haida Gwaii was outstanding. His last 600 was 33.05, he can’t go quicker than that and while getting out to 1300m is new for him, they’ll go fast and he’ll be steaming home late. CHARINO was no match for Supernatural late but lost no admirers in the process. If anything they looked to be going a bit too hard for him in the middle stages as he tried to hold his spot and gave the indication that he’s maybe looking for more ground. TIMELESS GEM was on the 7 day spin when winning second-up and SJ Miller again backs him up after going under as an even money favourite last weekend. PLAYING RIO was drawn 15/15 in the Fitzpatrick and ran out of his skin. Maps far better here.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 7 – 8

Suggested Bet – IMMORTAL BLISS WIN


RACE 9

MA MA BELLE has been a different mare since Holly Nottle jumped aboard and you just have to continue to follow the DMac/Nottle combination. She’s got a positive racing pattern, rolls forward into a prominent spot and 1300m holds no feats. Looks winnable again for her. SKYTALKER ran third to Terrotiroy Man and Rally The Troops two back. That form is superior to the vast majority of rivals and after trying blinkers they’re now testing visors. ZAC LUVS TO FLY is no stranger to Barker, finishing in the Top 2 at 6 from 7. It’s a unique track/circuit and the fact he goes well is worth plenty. PRECAST was heavily backed late in betting at Gero but didn’t fire at all. Respect the volume of money though.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 8 – 13

Suggested Bet – MA MA BELLE WIN


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,5,6,8

6,7,12

4,5,7,8

3,6,8

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