Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

Race 1

BOY CRUSH could not have been more impressive first-up when running down talented front running 3 year old Dawn Dancer. He’s now stepping out to 1200m and has to carry 58kg but he’s got both a high cruising speed and a will to win which is going to see him competitive in anything he races in between now and the Ascot Summer carnival. SWIFT RULER has a real X-Factor about him. He was only fair first-up behind Barron Bill and Brave Move last campaign but then second-up let rip with a big turn of foot on a Soft6 to score impressively. Trialled even sharper and more professional this time around as well. SPINARELLA hasn’t been seen since she won a Saturday race here a month ago. Can track around the leader. YAMANEX had no luck in the Magic Millions last year when she looked to have plenty to offer.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet – BOY CRUSH WIN

Race 2

MEMORY PARADE drops back into 66+ from a 72 when third behind The Crimson Pirate (Tabtouch Stakes bound) and Yes I Know (backed up last weekend and won). This is not a strong line-up for an $80,000 race and provided she gets an ounce of luck in the home straight she should be very competitive. OLAF THE SNOWMAN won a 60+ Graduation last start and now steps up again in company into a 66+. That was touted as one of the weaker and thinner Grads that Belmont had seen all season so a bit of a query on it as a form line. BIRDS THE WORD is as honest as come and the booking of Pike takes the attention. CHANTEL was in the Olaf race and was both really well commissioned and really honest. She’s racing well but has always been just a cog below genuine Saturday company.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet – MEMORY PARADE EACHWAY

Race 3

ARCADIA KNIGHT trialled over 1450m and beat home Opportunistic who went to Kalgoorlie on Sunday and won the Coolgardie Cup on his way towards the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cups. He was in outstanding form 12 months ago in and around this grade, winning a pair of 72+ 1600m races. He is first-up at 1400, drawn to get the run of the race and in a small field will be within striking distance. Hard to fault. SUPERNATURAL has turned a corner in the last month and her recent run of minors behind the likes of Mt Shirataku, Lillian and most recently The Crimson Pirate and Yes I Know read up really well. PROSPECTOR’S PICK can lead and that might see him improve sharply. OLY’S CHOICE has had his issues over recent seasons but looked to be moving freely in his recent trials.

Numbers: 4 – 7 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet – ARCADIA KNIGHT WIN

Race 4

COSMIC WALTZ is now a 12 start C1 but he’s going continually well. Second to Cinque Stelle (highly progressive), second to Silent Diva (nearly won a 66+ last weekend) and again looks to be afforded every chance here in yet another 60+ Graduation. Can slide across, park to the outside of likely leader Allantown and if he’s vulnerable late at the end of 1400m then Cosmic Waltz will be the first to attack him. STREAK OF GOD really seemed to appreciate the wet track conditions two starts back but at least last weekend he travelled better for Pike and might just be starting to put it all together. MAIN ACT had been building towards that last start win but this race does run deeper and he’s drawn off the track. On the bright side he’s versatile and can finish off if going back. MARDUSA showed a glimpse of his old self last week and backs up off 7 days.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – COSMIC WALTZ WIN

Race 5

I LOVE YA MONEY broke his maiden at Northam before heading straight into a 60+ Graduation when third behind stablemate Supido Express and Deltason. Last time out he ran second to Heaven Specified (beating home subsequent winner Publicise) in a race that looks a similar quality/depth to this. Pike sticks and he’s still improving with racing. BOSUN has a real X-Factor about him. The final of this Westspeed Platinum Series is worth $100,000 and is over 1600m, fingers crossed he gets through this unscathed because he can absolutely win that (and this along the way). JAZALOT has been a different horse in a set of blinkers. SWIFT TALKER was last seen in a 3 year old 0MWLY when second to Peaceful Ruler. These 4yos first time in Westspeed Grade go invariably well.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – I LOVE YA MONEY WIN

Race 6

SISTER MARY has been a marvel recently and deserves a crack at a Saturday. She’s only a C1 and 54+ winner but she’ll do no work from the draw and is showing a handy little turn of acceleration at the end of her races. Think she can take the step and always goes around eachway. MISS VEUVE went from a C1 to a 66+ last weekend, raced way outside the handicap and accordingly copped a rightful whack from the handicap with an 11 point penalty. She’ll go from 54.5kg to 60kg and from barrier 1 and three back fence to barrier 9 and back/wide? Few negatives this week but she overcame the hurdles last week. STARWALKER was beaten a 5L margin by Miss Veuve last week but does get a 4kg weight swing week to week. MUSGRAVE is racing like he’s ready for a staying trip now.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – SISTER MARY EACHWAY

Race 7

SNOWDOME should be a SWP special. He’s the highest rated horse, he’s the best suited under the weights conditions with 57.5kg and he should work his way forward into a prominent position in running. He has been knocking on the door all campaign and they skipped the Farnley last weekend to attack this 1200m race in preference. If he’s going to win a race this prep – it’s the Nicopolis. RISSOLES isn’t as well suited but it was the same last year in the Sheila Gwynne when she toppled London’s Image. What she needs more than anything is a gate and a map to be saved up for one burst of speed. Has those boxes ticked here. FAST FLICKER is likely here to build towards a Hannans tilt. HAIDA GWAII is on speed and tough but 1200m is the query.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 10 – 11

Suggested Bet – SNOWDOME WIN

Race 8

SWINGMAN is on the 7 day spin from another honest 72+ performance over 1000m. Always held the opinion that he’s a better 1200m horse (0/7 at 1000, 1/3 at 1100 and 2/4 at 1200) and this looks an ideal race for him. Great use of the 1.5kg claim for Holly Nottle, can park up in second and track the every move of fleet footed leader King Adviso and look to hold off the late challenges of rivals. HURRICANE HARLEY attempted to take the big step from 0MWLY into 66+ last start and wasn’t disgraced. Pike jumps aboard here and he looks three deep cover which suits him. SNOW GOD has always promised more than he’s delivered. Still think he’s capable. SIX SHOOTER doesn’t know how to run a bad race but 60kg is a leveller.

Numbers: 4 – 7 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – SWINGMAN EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,2,6

1,2,3,5

1,9

4,5,7

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