Races

Scott Embry’s Monday Esperance Preview

RACE 1

WATTO’S FURY looks to have found a suitable assignment. Was really well supported in betting at a big price last start and failed to show any of his customary early speed. If he can kick through and lead this under Simone Aliteri he gets his chance to show something at a track where he has historically struggled. SAUVEGARDE has only won one from 10 at the track and comes through the same race as Watto’s Fury behind Magniforce on 3 December. Isn’t much between them. WESTERNIZE hasn’t quite lived up to his Kalgoorlie form yet but gets some weight relief. COUNTER DRIVE wasn’t bad at Belmont over an unsuitable trip.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet – WATTO’S FURY WIN


RACE 2

LUCKY FOO FOO should be a nice acquisition for the region. She’s not an easy mare to work with and has a few barrier issues but provided she gets into and out of the gates her metro and provincial maiden form should hold up for this. Recent Esperance trial winner and drawn to get every chance from the draw for a big set of new connections in Helen Harding’s ladies’ colours. MR KOHANA went mighty close at Kalgoorlie last start when nosed out by Uno Me who fought back underneath him. Should go well fresh. FAULT went close last start behind Jackemjames but the draw hurts. GINGER’S SECRET is honest.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet – LUCKY FOO FOO WIN


RACE 3

WINGING wasn’t too bad a trial behind Renato over 1000 and then beaten 7.8L by Arcadia Grace/Mystery Island over 1450m in a trial actually isn’t too bad at all. Shown very little to date at the races but willing to put her on top at a price on speculation considering that many of these have had a lot of chances. Throw at the stumps. EXILE TED has a set of blinkers on and chased hard behind Thehuntsmen. Col Haddon’s yard is going well and the inside gate helps. TALK ABOUTYOU is running out of chances but continues to try. KING OF THE JIVE is going far better on the grass than he did on the dirt.

Numbers: 11 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – WINGING EACHWAY


RACE 4

MARKET STRYKE looked a special at his first start for Joshua Brown and didn’t let the punters down. Didn’t quite get away from them as was hoped but he did enough at 1200m and should only improve out to 1300m. Sits up on speed, proven weight carrier and looks hard to beat again. Can continue his way through the grades in Esperance. LEADING MAN is showing far more tactical speed this preparation and is drawn underneath of Market Stryke. Wins one very soon. OUR PANDEMONIUM took her C2 victory into 58+ grade and ran well behind Cold as Cold and Leading Man. NODUSTONME provided a big upset last start when knocking off I Am Spartacus. Hard horse to trust.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet – MARKET STRYKE WIN


RACE 5 

BLAZING PASSION landed good bets at his Gary Burger debut. Opened up $11 in betting and jumped $3.20. Never looked like winning in running and if she holds form and reproduces the run she should be reproducing the result. Same track, same distance, same grade and very similar ability level of opponent. Impossible to knock. SAFFIANO drops back into a C2 after finishing 2.5L off I Am Spartacus in a C5 at his first start in Esperance. He’ll pinch one eventually at this level. NITRO FRED finally broke his duck last start and with some added confidence can go on with it. YAMATAI is going well.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 3 – 9

Suggested Bet – BLAZING PASSION WIN


RACE 6

COUNT GRUNDY went to Kalgoorlie three starts ago and the saddle slipped, went to Esperance and finished third to Just Striking (winning machine so far this season) and then finished third behind Wheatstack Thief. Drawn to get every chance in running from an ideal draw and shouldn’t concede them too much of a head start in running. SPECKLES went out hard and fast in the early and middle stages in her maiden win and simply ran them into the ground. SHADOW SHIFTER ran well last start behind Market Stryke. Can settle closer here. NO MORE DUST has trialled well enough in between her two race failures.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – COUNT GRUNDY WIN


RACE 7

FAIR JUSTICE continues to tease punters. Has finished second at each race this preparation at Esperance. Seconds to I am Spartacus and Just Striking really catch the attention and from the inside gate she gets a soft run. Another chance for her. CENSURE can be hit and miss out of the machine. If she jumps with them she’s a live chance. KORANIS can go well back on the grass after an honest NW season on the dirt. BLUE TURNS TO GREY put in an eyecatcher first-up.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet – FAIR JUSTICE WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,6,7,8

5

1,2,5

1,3,4,7,11

Market Market