Races

Scott Embry’s Friday Esperance Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

PUISSANCE PLAYBOY did it tough last start and was left a sitting duck to be run down. In the end Import got him by a length and considering the small field of this event he’ll probably get the best run in transit that he has enjoyed since running second to Zadows Landing three back. This is his chance. REIGN IN THE CASH is his own worst enemy. He misses the kick more often than he jumps cleanly but he’s also probably the only horse that David Page has in his stable that hasn’t won a race this season, so no doubt he’ll get one before Esperance finishes up! MIDSUMMER ROMANCE put up the white flag last start over 1990m to be beaten nearly 20L but did a power of work to find the top. Forgive. SECRET INTENT was held up in the Puissance Playboy race last start.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet – PUISSANCE PLAYBOY WIN

RACE 2 

PANCHO’S PLACE ran third to Guard The Mullah (went around in a C1 at Belmont on Wednesday) and then was a tough watch last start when zigging and zagging a path through heavy traffic in the home straight when second to Warning Label. Kept out of trouble this looks a really winnable race for him. Think he has a bit more than his rivals under the hood. THREE AY EM finished fifth in the Guard The Mullah race and then was third to Import and Puissance Playboy with that form on show in the opener. DESERT MADAM ran third last week but those horses looked like they were going up and down on the same spot over the last 200. ARCTIC FOX was there too and finished just behind Desert Madam. Big query on that as a form race.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 6 – 7

Suggested Bet – PANCHO’S PLACE WIN

RACE 3

DOTHRAKI has really bounced back to his best since arriving in WA. He was in the m70s for a long part of his South Australian career after contesting Listed races at one point, and then arrived in Esperance as a lowly m64. Since then he has won another three races at 1200, 1400m and last week at 1100m. He’s versatile, he’s in form and having his 14th run of the prep (after only a 7 week freshen from a 5 start campaign) he’s still producing. TACITO ran second to Wild Imagination before heading to the Mt Barker Sprint and only finishing 3L off Wineaclocksumwhere and Immortal Bliss. Back in trip suits. Think the market will circle the two. CELEBRITY PRINCE went to Kal for new connections and won straight away but might take a bit longer this time around. MOUNTAIN ASH was good four back but nothing much since.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – DOTHRAKI WIN

RACE 4

ZADOWS LANDING went around $1.65 last week in a C5 1600 and was disappointing. You could see he was in trouble on straightening when Wayne Wheatley was looking around to see how close rivals were and then he had very little when asked for an effort. Big query on whether that was an end of prep run because ratings wise it as ~6L below his previous peak. Fingers crossed he bounces back but you’d be brave backing him too hard off that? HARLEQUIN PRANCER again steps up in grade but you have to love the way she’s attacking the line for her new stable. TITAN RISING beat home Zadows Landing last week after doing all the work in front. Back in trip a slight query. CAP CAVOUR was better manners wise last week.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – ZADOWS LANDING WIN

RACE 5

CALL TIME exploded away from very similar opposition last week and see no reason why she can’t win again off that. The fresh run was great behind Marybee at 20-1 and then backed it up with a dominant near 2L win. Think she’ll again stalk the speed and if she shows the same turn of foot she’ll be really hard to hold out late. BUSTER’S GIRL has been there abouts all prep after beating Royal Accolade early in the season. If she jumps she can lead and if she leads she’ll be in front for a long way. BLITZEM BABE hasn’t shown that much of recent times but Tash Faithfull on is worth more than blinkers to country horses. FAVAIOS is trying hard.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – CALL TIME WIN

RACE 6

MEAT PIE ARTIE is again forced to race at 1100m with the 70+ programming that he is now following but you simply have to forgive last week when he got knocked around at stages trying to build momentum and find clear galloping room. He’ll be short enough in betting for more of a 12/13/1400m type but he’s been impressive since arriving in the West. ROYAL ACCOLADE has turned into a wonderfully consistent horse in the region over multiple seasons now and has really turned 1100m into his sweet spot. MARYBEE has to take a big step up into 70+ grade but she’s got no weight after Jefferson Tsang’s claim. OREGON HIKER is going super this prep for a horse who looked like he was right on his mark.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – MEAT PIE ARTIE WIN

RACE 7

SHINBONER is going along really well and might sneak under the radar here. Good run three back as a $4.60 chance behind Meat Pie Artie when wide throughout and last week was in a 58+ behind Harlquein Prancer and wasn’t disgraced. Happy to roll the dice at a price. HIGHLAND JEUNEY is over 2 months between runs at 1600m which is clearly a question mark but her two runs for Gary Burger were highly encouraging early in the season and this race doesn’t have any stars in it. BIONDO has hit a bit of form but across his entire career he’s often been the horse who looms and then doesn’t quite finish off. IMPORT only really got going late last start so the step to 1600m does look the right move.

Numbers: 11 – 4 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – SHINBONER EACHWAY

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