Races

Scott Embry’s Friday Mount Barker Preview

RACE 1

FIRST CONTACT finished a narrow (and luckless) fifth behind Queen Tiffany and subsequent maiden winner Ouqburra at Geraldton two starts ago and then loomed up outside of Stormy Tawny at York over 1200m when only being fought off late in the race. Think back to 1100m is more suitable for her and she can make her own luck up on the speed. TALKING HEADS is bursting to win a race. Narrow third behind Star In Time and Mine Host and then looked the winner everywhere but the post when descended upon by Pazzo Cavallo at York. LOOKS has trialled up well for his return to racing. WRECKED THE RENTAL is quick and this is winnable for him from out in front.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – FIRST CONTACT WIN


RACE 2

HE’S ARCHIE looks to have found a winnable race. Finished fifth behind Fine Touch and Covert Rose over 1400m at Belmont Park three back, sat wide throughout at Pinjarra when third to Supportive (now a C1 winner) and massive second-up winner Becalotti (races Wednesday at Belmont) and then went to a C1 when holding his own behind Starring Knight and La Dette. Great form for a country maiden and actually drops 2.5kg in the process. MINE HOST is going close but seems to lack a killer blow. HAYDROSS is probably better drawn wide than inside. Previous runs were strong. WIN TO RETIRE looks to have something.

Numbers: 7 – 8 – 3 – 13

Suggested Bet – HE’S ARCHIE WIN


RACE 3

DIGITAL MISS is very well placed by Donna Riordan. Split Beach West and subsequent C3 winner American Troop two starts ago and then had to do it tough throughout on speed last start in a C3 at Ascot. Drops into a Country C2, draws an inside gate and can park up over the speed. Looks a really good race for her to get over them late. TALKABOUTYOU and MY BOY CHRIS are both attacking this off a long season at Esperance but both gallopers continue to race well. QUEEN TIFFANY is improving with racing and can skip along out in front here.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – DIGITAL MISS WIN


RACE 4

OXBRIDGE returns to Mt Barker where he put on a galloping exhibition in a 58+ 1300 two starts back. He found the front, he ran them along and he never stopped. He won the race by 5.3L in a time which was 4.5L faster than 58+ average. Couldn’t get anywhere near the speed last start at Albany and never looked likely at any stage. Back to Barker and ridden for speed he can bounce back. GOD’S MOMENT has had a wonderful preparation and continues to race extremely well. She’s more than capable of winning another one. CABLE BOY drops back from 70+ to 58+ and they can still retain the senior rider. Great placement. VRUM really appreciated the wet track last week.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – OXBRIDGE WIN


RACE 5

BONNIE LAD was a nice trial win at Lark Hill and then was well backed at Esperance in the maiden on Cup Day. He didn’t let punters down and pulled right away from them late in the race, extending impressively through the line. Has to drop back to 1000m here but provided he doesn’t get run off his legs early it looks a nice race for him. MILLIVOY hasn’t been seen for 461 days. Big ask to win first-up off such a long time away but looked really good at the trials. RAKIURA got the job done at York and is back to somewhere near her best. KIMOIY was never getting beat in her maiden win.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – BONNIE LAD WIN


RACE 6

SNEAKY FOX is remarkably tough and consistent. He is having his 15th run of the preparation which dates back to Kalgoorlie in October 2022. He has finished in the money at his last six outings and it took a talented mare (for this grade/region) in Wednesday to run him down last start at Albany. From the inside draw he can park on top of the speed and the way he’s going he’ll be right in the finish yet again. MATERIAL WITNESS doesn’t win out of turn but he’s the perfect horse for the C70 races at Albany/Gero/Kalgoorlie. TREVELLO drops a mountain of weight after the ZJP claim. Keep safe. LUCRATIVE LUCY is still eligible for easier but she’s jump and run and over the 1100 at Barker that makes her hard to beat.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet – SNEAKY FOX WIN


RACE 7 

BENTLEY BEAU has turned a corner since arriving at the stables of Peter Western. Won back to back C2 1900m races at Albany and then dropped back to a mile in a 58+ on a Soft7 with 59kg when finished three quarters of a length off talented and emerging three year old Catch These Hands. His barrier 11 on paper likely becomes 8 after emergencies come out and as long as he finds a back to follow, he’ll be looming large on straightening. WHEATSTACK THEIF brings the alternate form through Esperance. He’s more than capable of winning this. BLAISZEN CAZAH is always there abouts in these country staying races. TRADEM IN is building.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – BENTLEY BEAU WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,2,5

1,2,4

2,6,7,8,11

1,3

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