Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BRAVE HALO caused a boilover on debut when sitting up outside of the big spruik filly Live To Tell and simply out toughing her in the finish. Jumped the gates far better than he had at trials and was able to slide across to the breeze. From there Jordy Turner rode him like the best horse in the race and he proved too strong. Has the outside gate to contend with and will likely jump odds on. Sit and watch kind of race. CATCH THE RED EYE was scratched from the Initial Plate and lines up here. Showed great speed in an 850m trial. GUARDING HEAVEN is drawn in close and will look to kick through. DUO MUSO didn’t trial in blinkers but wears them on race-day.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – BRAVE HALO WIN

RACE 2

GHOST WHO WALKS was held up the entire length of the home straight last start in a key form reference race when finishing on the heels of Olga Louisa and beating home Sneaky Chance. Think from the inside draw Laqdar Ramoly will look to stay in touch with them and with Olga Louisa having a tendancy to roll up the track in the home straight hopefully a run will present itself. Horse is flying. SNEAKY CHANCE was plunged in betting in that same race. Didn’t quite let down like she can and gets weight relief with the engagement of Keshaw Dhurun. CAN’T BE DONE was one of the biggest drifters in WA history ($3.30 to $21 fixed, traded over $34 at stages) and showed that the market doesn’t always know by recording a gritty on speed win. Great WA debut. OLGA LOUISA is always hard to run down.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet – GHOST WHO WALKS WIN

RACE 3

KEEPER SWEET has a short, sharp turn of acceleration which is best suited to races where she can position up close, handy and keep the leader within striking distance. Looks that kind of race for her and both Ghobella and Strike Now have run well out of her last start form race. ZADAR ROCK should bounce straight on the lead here in a race that is completely devoid of any speed. Lightly raced 4 year olds have been dominating these Westspeed Platinum races all season and he should have no excuses from out in front. HENCHARD went close last start behind Tinsnip. This looks his grade. GINGER BAKER is consistent but he struggles to win.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – KEEPER SWEET EACHWAY

RACE 4

BLACKWATER BAY was back to his best last start in a race that was really set up for a swooper. Devonia was attacked on the outside by Mystery Island a long way from home and the leaders were out on their feet on straightening. Should get a nice run midfield behind another genuine tempo (That’s Funny Az/Devonia/Mystery Island) and again goes round eachway. MYSTERY ISLAND is on the quick back-up again (third run in a fortnight) but the way he ran through the line last weekend suggests he’ll be hard to beat again. SOWAR was well found in betting late last start and ran well. QUEEN ALINA is the progressive horse but winning from last is always an ask.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet – BLACKWATER BAY EACHWAY

RACE 5

PENNY’S AFIELD put the writing on the wall first-up. She trialled super and reproduced it at the races when settling last from a wide gate, working her way to the outside and coming home with a wet sail. Steps to a more suitable 1400m, regains the services of regular rider Chris Parnham and looks like a mare who can continue her way through the grades. Worth following. NERO KING is an extremely talented galloper. He’ll have to concede her a head start in running but it would be no surprise to see him put a few together this campaign. Looks classy and has X-Factor. BIG SCREEN will appreciate being back on top of the ground. Rolls forward and makes his own luck. HEAR ME SING should be just about ready and is finally drawn a gate.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – PENNY’S AFIELD WIN

RACE 6

ABOVE THE PEG got punters excited at the trials. In typical Simon Miller fashion he didn’t wear blinkers in his trial and yet savaged the line behind talented mare Searchin’ Roc’s. Since being gelded he has gone to another level and while this is an acid test for him he gets in on the minimum and he finds a race where the speed will be turned on throughout (Kenyluck, Mood Swings, Double Jeopardy, Kia Ora Star). Looks a nice set up for him. UNIVERSAL PLEASURE at the same time looks an eachway bet to nothing in a pay 1,2,3. She’ll box seat behind that frenetic tempo and goes well fresh. MOOD SWINGS is a warrior. He’ll sit up over the speed with 60.5kg and keep coming. KENYLUCK is a little grey marvel.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – ABOVE THE PEG WIN

RACE 7

SNOWDOME vs AMELIA’S JEWEL will divide opinions. SNOWDOME resumed in the 3 year old Classic, carried 58kg, sat three deep over the speed in a race where they ran time (4L faster than average) and was still too big and too strong for them late. AMELIA’S JEWEL made a mess of last year’s 2 year old crop with arrogant wins in the Supremacy, Gimcrack and Karrakatta Plate. Her trials have created a lot of debate but she’s got a blistering L400 in her arsenal. SNOWDOME the way I’ll side as he can breeze outside of Man Crush and stay out of traffic. AMELIA’S JEWEL will need to get out at some stage but if runs appear watch out. UNCLE GERARD is still a maiden but is clearly talented. RUMOUR SAYS improves for her first-up outing.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – SNOWDOME WIN

RACE 8

BUSTLER is undefeated and undeniably talented. Neville Parnham had the option of taking him to the Belgravia Stakes but has opted to accept in this 60+ Graduation, regardless of the wide barrier he’s drawn. Best horse in the race and clearly the one to beat, but the price on offer will be the sticking point. Enjoyed the run of the race fresh when scoring, will need a three deep line to build into the race on Saturday. GALAXY AFFAIR gets into a lovely position in running and likely leader Capricorn Man wobbles in the straight. FALSE STATEMENT is a hard horse to catch but his best is good enough. DUNBAR is Dunbar. Gets a lovely run but wins less than North.

Numbers: 9 – 13 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – BUSTLER WIN

RACE 9

PLAYING MARIKA is a lovely mare to follow as an eachway punter. Resumed in a 78+ 1400 when running the fastest L600 of the race from last to charge home into fifth only 2L off Em Tee Aye, Eeyore Wayz and subsequent winner Buster Bash. From barrier 7 can settle a pair closer in the run and there looks to be a three deep moving line which should bring her into the race. Always around the mark. CHILI IS HOT simply doesn’t run bad races. Her return was highly encouraging and there’s not much between her and Playing Marika. ATLANTIS BEACH was huge first-up when doing a mountain of work in running. BILLY RAY backs up off 7 days and should be reaching peak fitness.

Numbers: 4 – 6 – 12 – 5

Suggested Bet – PLAYING MARIKA EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,5,9

1,2

1,4,9,13

4,5,6,7,12,14

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