Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Derby Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

Race 1

POWER TO RULE is the first race ride for fledging apprentice Ebony Johnson and looks a live winning chance. Following Ebony at barrier trials it seems like she’s happy to put her mounts into the contest, and that’s a great characteristic for a 4kg claimer on the dirt and this is the kind of horse that goes best in that capacity. Led and won his maiden at York at 1500m and most of his runs at Broome are good enough to pinch this. Straight to the front. ANGEL LIKE YOU put in her best run last week at Broome when running third behind Bondi Queen and Viva Marconi. Getting close now. WICKED ONE is first-up and likely headed for Kununurra next month but can win this along the way. MOMENT IN THE SUN is one of the very few Jody McLaughlin horses who isn’t winning!

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – POWER TO RULE WIN

Race 2

HARD TO TOP is a long (long) time maiden but this might just be her chance. The favourite Viva Marconi is taking a while to wind up in his races and isn’t stepping brilliantly, so hopefully this mare can get out and running and give cheek. Going back three starts ago led at 1300m and was only run down late and prior to that finished third to Finado and subsequent winner Sempre. Must jump. VIVA MARCONI has been knocking on the door in Broome and while 1400m back to 1100m has had the measure of a few of these recently. BELLE BELLE ran some handy races on the grass at Albany late in their season and will be sharply improved for the dirt outing last start. MUZZA’S GIFT wasn’t that far off Viva Marconi in the Dust Aside race on 28 June.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – HARD TO TOP EACHWAY

Race 3

CLIMB ON TOP looks very hard to beat in the Derby Sprint. At his first outing on the dirt in Broome he led and won a 70+ beating Cruise to Victory who went on to win his next two in style and then second-up he finished third behind Now You See Me and Cruise To Victory in a high rating race just last weekend. He’s loving life in the NW and unlike a couple of his rivals doesn’t need to lead to win. UNIVERSAL PLAYBOY has only had one run this season in Broome and he sat wide throughout under 60.5kg and never got into the contest. He’s an all or nothing commodity. He’ll either lead and win or he’ll get crossed and spit the dummy. BAYEZID is speedy and will look to come out alongside Universal Playboy and have a dip for the top. GIFT OF THE HEART is yet to find his dirt legs.

Numbers:  2 – 5 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – CLIMB ON TOP WIN

Race 4

MRS KANGAROO is really well placed by Leigh Murray whose team deserve a bit of luck after a frustrating run. Led and won a C3 1200 at Roebourne last season, won a 48+ at Junction, won a 56+ at Dongara as well. The only run this prep nothing went right and after the 4kg claim for Kayla Holroyd she looks well placed and weighted. OUTLAW MUSIC finished third in a C2 at Broome behind The Top Bar and Solar System first-up and then second-up only faded late in the race. Casey Hunter puts herself back on and this looks a good race for him to bounce out and be ridden aggressively early. BERRY BERRY GOOD is 1/1 at Derby and is arguably going better this year than he was this time last year. CITY OF SIN an improver.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – MRS KANGAROO EACHWAY

Race 5

TOPAZ was simply too good for them in the C2 1435m when leading at Broome last start. Found the front and never looked like stopping, winning by a 3L margin over Rulesque who ran well at her next outing. Jason Li’s 3kg claim keeps the weight down and if she can find the top then she’ll be hard to run down again. CLOSE TALKER won a 58+ at Broome beating Zorbrist who has franked the form since. Most recent finished only 4L off them in another 58+. Only query is the end of 1400m under 60.5kg, otherwise, form wise – right in it. IMA WILD GIRL won well at Derby last year. SHOULDER PATCH went well when leading two back.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – TOPAZ WIN

Race 6

STRIKING FELLA was super last year in the NW. He won the Cable Beach Caravan Park Cup and ran second in the Kimberley Cup before going around an $8 chance in the Broome Cup. This is only his second-up run but he wasn’t disgraced first-up at 1435 at Broome and should be able to kick through and hold a really nice spot in running here. Logical starting point. LUTZ won the Derby Cup in 2025 looks to be building towards another successful Cups campaign. Always respect the track winners. History often repeats at these once a year meetings. CAPRICORN MAN steps out further into unchartered waters but finding the front saw him improve tenfold last start. ALOTTA DANE would have needed the run first-up and can come on quickly.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – STRIKING FELLA WIN

Quaddie (Race 3 – 6)

2,5

1,2,4

2,5,7

2,3,4

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