Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

Race 1

MALASTAR has been highly professional and impressive at trials. She led and won her 400m jump out in 23:68 (sharp even for a 3 year old let alone a 2yo) and then again led and won at 850m. Cumulative winning margin over 7L between the two trials and looks like she’ll jump, lead, run and likely win on debut. Ready made race horse. ALL THAT CLASS has only 53.5kg on her back after the Nottle claim and can look to stalk. The best part of her trial was the last 100m which is encouraging. OCHRE similarly travelled well in the trial, took inside passages (on the worst part of the trial track) and made some late inroads. SPRINT FOR GLORY hails from last season’s premier 2yo yard.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – MALASTAR WIN

Race 2

ABISSI ran well in a Grad 2200 at Belmont behind Admired two back (beating home Miss Veuve in the process) and then dropped back to 1760 at Kal last Saturday on Cup Day when second to Wild Things. This looks a really good opportunity for him to open his metro account because on paper it looks like he’ll lob 1×1 or 1×2 in the small field and with the engagement of an apprentice rider on the main danger it’s his chance to take advantage. He’s no star (1 from 17) but a 7 horse field and a barrier give him every mortal chance. MISS VEUVE has really turned a corner over the last month or so but losing Pike could be worth lengths to her. ROMMEO might be forced into the role of pacemaker. If he does then he’ll get it cheap. BONDI STAR ran well first-up and second-up before the saddle slipped third-up.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – ABISSI WIN

Race 3

FANTAXTIC just needs to get himself safely across to the breeze to be a big player here. He won a near identical race two back and then was forced to cover a stack of additional ground last time out when brave in defeat. First 200 key to his chances. REGINETTA didn’t beat a whole lot in terms of opposition on debut but she was sharp in the way that she accelerated. Don’t mind the placement heading straight into a Westspeed Platinum and getting in with 54.5kg. ESPRESSO TIME should bounce out and take it up. There is no doubt he’s come back 4 – 5 lengths better as a 4 year old and these are ideal races for him. Last time he met Fantaxtic he got posted and had to do it tough, this time around he’ll likely lead up against the fence. RIPPER FAROOQ is a barrier horse. He just needs to draw low, track up, get a soft run and a bit of luck at key stages. Gets those scenarios here.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – FANTAXTIC WIN

Race 4

STREET BAND was a great return to racing. He resumed in a 66+ 1200 and got to the line really well late behind a sharp mare who will continue her way through to 72+/78+ and then Black Type races in Like Clockwork and second-up she drops back into a Grad 1400. Great placement, great use of the Natika Riordan 3kg claim and as honest as they come. Like the set up for him here. SO SI GOD surprised most by leading last start but really never looked like losing after finding the top. Can split the difference here and look for midfield cover and the last time she raced at 1400 she was only 1.5L off Wheely and Peaceful Ruler in a 3 year old Saturday. Another nice race for her. MIND FIELD trialled the house down at Lark Hill, was luckless first-up and then flat second-up. Screaming out for 1400, screaming out for blinkers. BILLIONARES ROW has a really attractive racing pattern for Ascot.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bet – STREET BAND EACHWAY

Race 5

ABERDEEN FLYER is a Stakes winning 3 year old resuming. We saw over winter The Crimson Pirate bring a similar profile to the races and be highly competitive in 72+ races and expect that this is a nice starting point for Aberdeen Flyer. Third in the Challenge Stakes to Playin’ It Sweet and Dominatus, second in the Lex Piper to The Crimson Pirate, won the JC Roberts beating Sentimental Legend and then ran second to him in the Melvista before bottoming out in the WATC Derby. Progressive 4 year old who will work his way through the grades this campaign. POND MASTER was brilliant first-up at 1000m gobbling up Pin Deep in the shadows and then didn’t get a lot of room to move in the straight. Can safely turn the tables on Six Shooter and looms as a danger. SIX SHOOTER just continues to raise the bar. In a race without speed he can park up outside Multinational? MULTINATIONAL loves Kalgoorlie. Ascot a different kettle of fish.

Numbers: 7 – 9 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – ABERDEEN FLYER WIN

Race 6

BASSETT HOUND is quickly building a cult following. After a few false starts to begin his career he really started to put it together at the back end of last campaign, going on a winning hattrick from a maiden into a Grad into a 3 year old Saturday. His recent barrier trial was electric and this is a great test for him on his way through to some feature races over the Pinnacles. If he can concede a head start to an emerging mare such as Like Clockwork and run past her to victory then he might just be the real deal. LIKE CLOCKWORK has a barrier and has more versatility than him. Expect she’ll come out quite positive and look to use her tactical advantage. Game on. TYCOON HARRY is a 1000m specialist who has trialled up well for his return. KINGS COURT won 4 from 5 after joining the Gangemi Brothers last prep.

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 1 – 5

Suggested Bet – BASSETT HOUND WIN

Race 7

PURE MAC gets 1.5kg to try and turn the tables on Back To Bondi from their last start clash and 2.5kg from their previous encounter in a C1 a month earlier. Back To Bondi has had his measure on each occasion, however, both times Holly Nottle has produced 10/10 rides. If he (Back to Bondi) has to work a bit harder in the early stages and is forced to punch the breeze, that coupled with the weight swings might just be enough for Pure Mac to turn the tables. Has an ‘Ascot style’ racing pattern and he’s going to be hard to beat in this grade anywhere from 1600 to 2200 over the next month or two. BACK TO BONDI similarly is in a rich vein of form and when they can find a 60+ or 66+ 1800 (next Saturday @Trevor Andrews!) then he’s going to be earning plenty more for connections. STREAMLINED was a bit keen early last start. Norton bit on, tongue tie on. DESERT WAVES was a better run than it reads fresh.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bet – PURE MAC EACHWAY

Race 8

HOLLER NUFF is nicely placed and really well weighted after the 3kg claim for Jefferson Tsang. At the end of his 3 year old preparation he won a 3 year old Saturday and a pair of 66+ Saturday races. Has trialled up well, maps well and will be double the price of his stablemate. Think he’s just as good. TRULY LOYAL had nothing go his way last start. He was caught three deep and last as a couple of roughies kicked up underneath him from start to finish and he was unable to close the gap on sharp mare Silent Diva, who that day got a far cheaper run in transit than him and has also won again since in a 72+ to frank the form. He’ll need luck from another really tricky alley but if they can make ground then he’ll be hard to hold out late. STREAK OF GOD has won four of his last five and is really starting to put it all together. He’s now travelling and letting go with a big turn of foot. SNOW GOD has been hard to place recently caught in between grades. Think 66+ is his go.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 9 – 8

Suggested Bet – HOLLER NUFF EACHWAY

Race 9

DAWN DANCER doesn’t have the same excitement factor or CV has Afireofgidgeecoals or Aurum Belle or Maria Lucia or He’s A Machino but boy he’s quick. He’ll have no troubles crossing those underneath him and will likely be allowed to free wheel into the home corner. Has a bit of Mervyn about him and may be paddling late but think he’ll give this a shake at double figures and is worth consideration, especially with a few of the main fancies drawn in the Swan River. AFIREOFGIDGEECOALS has to carry 59kg at SWP but he maps a treat to stalk a seriously hot tempo. AURUM BELLE is drawn 13/14 with lots of speed underneath. Do they toy with the idea of trying to sit? Fascinating tactical decision ahead. COS I AM will park in the three deep moving line and has great point to point acceleration.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 6 – 10

Suggested Bet – DAWN DANCER EACHWAY

Same Race Multi – Afireofgidgeecoals (Top 3) + Dawn Dancer (Top 4)

Going to go with the speedy Dawn Dancer to jump, lead, kick and hold on for Top 4 at double figures and then the well mapped returning Karrakatta Plate winner Afireofgidgeecoals to run Top 3. Tough race.

Race 10 (Best Bet)

FINE STAR looks better than 60+ Graduation company. Love these returning 3 year olds who have carnival form against their name from the previous season and after a luckless run in the Burgess Queen she ran third in the Champion Fillies behind Pure Excess and Talkanco. Her recent trial was blistering, she’s 2/2 undefeated at 1200m and she’s drawn to get the run of the race midfield with cover. Decent amount of top end speed to suit and expect with clear galloping room she’ll be bursting through late. KRAKEN TIME resumed in a 66+ and wasn’t disgraced beaten 4L by Like Clockwork. Sneaks back into a 60+ Graduation and is better drawn wide than in close. COSMIC TREAT is hit or miss but as we saw last start, when she’s on, she’s sharp. REGAL SERVICE has been very sparingly raced. Won first-up last prep off 315 days and resumes here off 469 days.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – FINE STAR WIN

Quaddie (Race 7 – 10)

1,3,4,7

6,9,11

1,2,4,6,10

2,4,8




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