Scott Embry’s Thursday Albany Preview Posted on March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 | Posted by Scott Embry RACE 1 ACOUSTIC BUBBLES finished 3.5L off Long Service Leaf (now a 3 year old 0MWLY victor) on debut as an $8 chance and then was sent out favourite at her second start behind talented Midwest galloper Belvedere Rock. Has spelled, has trialled up well at Lark Hill and has found a winnable race at her return. RIVER BEAUTY has run some nice races this prep for Ray Malpass including finishing third at Barker to Reggio Calabria. Even last start at 100-1 wasn’t disgraced when wide and working from a long way out. LE BEAU showed glimpses in C1/2 company recently but then flopped when back into maiden company. WATERSHED WISDOM hasn’t shown much yet but now gets McGruddy. Numbers: 7 – 3 – 1 – 8 Suggested Bet – ACOUSTIC BUBBLES WIN RACE 2 COSMIC GEM went around on the second line of betting last start at the BTC when second to So Much Serenity. Since then that filly has finished fourth behind Swingman in a 3 year old Saturday at Bunbury and goes around favourite on Wednesday at Ascot in a 3 year old 0MWLY under Pike. Expect he’ll be very popular in betting heading to Albany. BUDERIM has been a work in progress across his entire career. Still does plenty wrong but there’s no doubting there’s a level of ability hidden under those poor racing manners. GETS THE GIRLS has run a few handy races from time to time in the metro/provincial area and now travels to the country. A LOT OF MONTEY ran well above market expectation first-up. Numbers: 4 – 2 – 1 – 3 Suggested Bet – COSMIC GEM WIN RACE 3 INSYDE SUCCESS has underperformed across his career – he’s got more ability than his record of 16:2-1-4 suggests, and Steve Wolfe has clearly had to work through a few issues with him across the years. Like the fact he’s A) gone up to a 58+ to get some weight relief; and B) booked McGruddy. Drops 4kg start to start, draws well and expect the market will gravitate to these Shooter McGruddy ridden horses across the entirety of the program. HEAD’EM has been a little hit and miss since arriving in WA but his best has seen him win a 58+ and a 68+. Well placed here. GOD HAS DRIFTED was always going to take a run or two to reach his peak. KAMAKAZI SHOOTER has been a model of consistency for years. Numbers: 6 – 1 – 2 – 4 Suggested Bet – INSYDE SUCCESS WIN RACE 4 CAPRICIOUS RULER won the Ladies Bracelet in one of the most fascinating L200 of any race that Albany has seen. There were horses everywhere and somehow after sweeping to the lead Becalotti didn’t even finish in the Top 4 after trading under $1.10 live! Will be a query on the form out of that race with such a bunched finish but she’ll get every chance here and is versatile enough to lead or sit on them. ROUNDABOUT GLORY finished second in C3 company at 1600 to Shamilian Miss and Forever Dreaming earlier in the campaign. Great form lines. HENRY THE AVIATOR drops out of a pair of 60+ Graduation races at Pinjarra and Bunbury and has had big excuses in both. This is his grade, this is his distance. FIGHT IN FLIGHT can bounce back. Numbers: 3 – 2 – 1 – 7 Suggested Bet – CAPRICIOUS RULER EACHWAY RACE 5 LORDGIVEMESTRENGTH was building towards that last start win and even though he is 1900 back to 1500m it just means that if they throw the anchor at any stage in running that Shaun McGruddy can pull the trigger and put the fittest horse and best stayer of the field into the contest. SKYTALKER will seriously divide opinions. Is there any doubt he’s the best horse in the race? No. Is there any doubt he brings the strongest form to the race? No. Do you want to take under $2.50 for a horse carrying 64kg? Each to their own. TOUSLED CROWN ran third to Elegant Indi in a C3 at Pinjarra and then was only 2L off them in the Ladies Bracelet. DIABLO LAD a watch in shades. Numbers: 7 – 1 – 4 – 2 Suggested Bet – LORDGIVEMESTRENGTH EACHWAY RACE 6 UNFORTUNATE LAD won a maiden at Bunbury by nearly 2.5L and then was tested in 3 year old Saturday company when only 2L off Swingman, God’s Cross, Watto’s Mark, Country God and a host of horses who would be odds on in a race like this. He’s got 59kg, he’s got the outside gate so there’s a bit against him but this is a great race for him, a Country C2. Trusting Shooter to make the right moves and overcome the barrier hurdle. CRUISE TO RIO has been in great form the entire campaign and has been a bit stiff on occasion not to win more races. She’s flying and a clear cut danger. REGGIO CALABRIA has hit a purple patch of form deep into the campaign. NICCY’S AFFAIR can give cheek. Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 10 Suggested Bet – UNFORTUNATE LAD WIN RACE 7 LET’SDEAL looks to have found his most winnable race in a long while. It can be hard to trust these older horses who have seemingly forgotten how to win, but his last start effort when wide from the 800 under 63kg really did put the writing on the wall. We’re big Team McGruddy at the Thursday meeting (surely odds on in Jock Challenge?…) and this is yet another winnable ride/race. DEADLY AND FAST has had a season to remember and the harder they go the better it is for him. WAR MATTERS will find this easier than metro staying races and has had a break out campaign. SKY GOD seems to run for Natika Riordan and can use the weight advantage to roll forward from the barrier. Numbers: 3 – 1 – 11 – 8 Suggested Bet – LET’SDEAL EACHWAY Quaddie (Race 4 – 7) 1,2,3 1,4,7 1,4 1,3,8,11 Market Market
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