Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Carnarvon Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

DARK OPAL is a 1000m type. 5 career placings: 3x 1000m (2x down the straight at Pinjarra and once at Ascot) and 2x 1100m. That’s the end of her distance range – she paddles after that. Won a barrier trial impressively at Lark Hill and then was scratched at Albany a month ago (16/4/2026) so it has been a while between the trial and the races, however, she’s speedy and should be able to stay out of trouble attacking the leaders on the outside away from the kickback. Looks a nice first dirt outing for her. MARITIME DREAM was only 1.5L off Seastic, Arctic Snow and now Saturday winner Wheely two back. RIVER BEAUTY similarly is fresh into her first dirt assignment and often drawn wide at Carnarvon is a blessing in disguise. She ran third at Barker at 1100m and showed a bit of early toe that day. DASHING DIVA can hold a spot early.

Numbers: 7 – 12 – 9 – 11

Suggested Bet – DARK OPAL WIN

RACE 2 

THE COOLAKIN KING headed to Carnarvon last season in the middle of his preparation (sixth-up) so this is a very different set up for him in 2026 but still must respect the fact that he won four races on the dirt in that preparation (3 at Carnarvon and 1 at Roebourne) and he looks the leader of this event. Even race and might be able to sneak eachway about him which would be excellent shopping. ON THE FULL was really well thought of at Lark Hill but again didn’t really step and left himself in all sorts. Drops 5.5kg and a senior goes on again. His last win was over 1000m with Kate Pateman on and he jumped that day. WEAPONS HOT led and won at Moora, led and won at Collie. Should be a nice Carnarvon type. CATALPA was only 1L off Headem in a 70+ at Albany three back.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 8 – 2

Suggested Bet – THE COOLAKIN KING EACHWAY

RACE 3

GOLD SPY absolutely bolted in a 1000m maiden at Carnarvon first-up, no trial off 177 days last season before he went on to win a 56+ 1200 and a C3 1400 at his next two outings. He ended his Carnarvon prep a c66 and now resumes a c63 after struggling on the grass. Dirt horses for dirt races and given his ‘poor’ Geraldton form we might even see half a price early. SOARING SOLO is yet to miss the money in four Carnarvon 1000m scampers and did win a 64+ 1000 last season for Jefferson Tsang. Great placement into a 54+ with a claim. SHOOTING KONTIKI can race up on the pace and was a model of consistency in the early part of the Port Hedland season last year. TAWAAJ has her first start on the dirt so needs to step.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 3 – 9

Suggested Bet – GOLD SPY WIN

RACE 4

MYSTERY MINUTE won a 1200 maiden and placed in a 1200m C1 at Carnaronv last season and after the 4kg claim for Jason Li he looks well suited. Over the last two seasons Zach Tyler has produced 9 horses first-up for 2 winners and at a 22% strike and 113% POT. These opening meetings are the hardest of the season with no idea whether the newcomers will handle the surface or not but at least here you’ve got a proven dirt commodity. TASSORT WE WANT has blinkers reapplied (reversal of last start gear change) and only needs to reproduce his C1 fourth to Dark Ambition, Media Mogul and Peaceful Ruler to go close. Winner on the Fibre Sand if that’s any bonus? SWEXAN ran well at his WA debut on the grass at Geraldton. KIMBERLEY CURRENCY’s only win was here at Carnarvon.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – MYSTERY MINUTE WIN

RACE 5

NEVER SOBER did a lot of racing last campaign. He had 20 starts spanning across a 12 month period and never really had a spell at any stage. He was once a c75 rated horse and is now right down to a c58. His recent barrier trial at Geraldton was really solid and after the Rocky Cheung claim he looks well placed, well weighted and capable of running a cheeky race fresh. Sean Rains’ horses go super first-up and he’s more than capable if right. HILLSIDE HORACE has been going well on the grass at Geraldton, is race fit and stays out of trouble from the wide draw. AWESOME LILY is a previous Carnarvon winner and had absolutely no luck first-up or second-up at Geraldton. Going lengths better than it looks on paper. UNDERCOVER SNIPER finds it hard to win but does map really well.

Numbers: 7 – 10 – 9 – 5

Suggested Bet – NEVER SOBER EACHWAY

RACE 6

CRIMMO has been huge his last few. Barry Newnham has the wayward nutcase flying (said with respect). He is more than capable of parking wide throughout and marching over the top of them. PATS LAST BANG looks an ideal Carnarvon dirt mare – provided she jumps. Her lat two wins were a C2 1400 at Geraldton leading and winning and a C1 1300 at Pinjarra – leading and winning. Barrier 1 at Carnarvon is poison. You simply must lead – if she’s crossed it’s game over. You’ll know your fate after three strides. DREAM ILLUSION won two races impressively at Carnarvon last season and has been racing well at Gero. LIMS SARBACH broke his maiden in Singapore and won a C2 at Geraldton.

Numbers: 7 – 4 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet – CRIMMO EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 3 – 6)

2,5,9

1,2,3

2,5,7,9,10,11

1,4,7,8,9

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