Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

GLASGOW LASS was able to work home over the top of expectant Magic Millions favourite Golden Vale at trials recently. Drawn barrier 10 of 13 on debut which makes things difficult but at least there’s a decent field size that should ensure that there’s a back to follow for Lucy Fiore. Looked professional and looked to have a real motor. BIG SHOTS might concede 2.5kg to Brazen Bid for being beaten at Pinjarra but he gets a senior rider aboard and he draws much better. That’s enough to suggest he’s more than capable of turning the tables. SOUTHERN SCANDAL has barrier 1 to use to his advantage and showed genuine ability in his last two trials at Lark Hill. TAKE YOUR CHANCES has only had a 400m jump out but did look the part.

Numbers: 10 – 2 – 7 – 12

Suggested Bet – GLASGOW LASS WIN


RACE 2

ROCKET JUICE has only won once so far but he’s put in some really encouraging efforts in defeat at this level. He finished third behind Leading Taddy (beating home Snippy Which) and then finished second behind King’s Parade. Still running his races in patches, still doing a fair bit wrong but he’s got raw ability and this is another winnable assignment by his standards. ALL PLAY resumed over 1000m and didn’t look overly well suited in replay. Gets an extra 200m and the services of Paul Harvey. SNIPPY WHICH went under at $1.50 in a C3 at Pinjarra last start but it was a leaders paradise and the horse that beat him is sharp on his day. ANCIENT GUIDANCE was a great money spinner as a 2 year old.

Numbers: 5 – 4 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – ROCKET JUICE WIN


RACE 3

HERE FOR CHEQUES is bursting to win a race. Had victory snatched from him three back when William Pike somehow picked his pocket, massive when three deep the trip without cover at any stage behind Civvy Street two back and then got held tight waiting for a run to appear on straightening last start. Thought he had his chance to get past Filthy Habits but at the same time he’ll get every opportunity again here from an idea draw with a genuine tempo to follow (Full Of Merit, Call Again, Filthy Habits). Door will open soon. FULL OF MERIT does a lot of her racing 6 weeks between runs and always seems to go well. Showed a bit of versatility last start when beaten for speed. WONDER WEAPON has returned in great order. THE RUSH is racing with great consistency.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 14 – 11

Suggested Bet – HERE FOR CHEQUES WIN


RACE 4

SECRET ATTRACTION has always given the indication she’d be a nice mare for the lower grade staying races. She finished third behind Ihts Closing Inn and Sesswa in the Belmont Oaks last preparation as a 3 year old filly and was a dominant winner over 1800m only two starts ago. Looks ready to run the trip, maps to get a great run in transit and this is about as weak a 60+ Graduation field as she’s likely to lob in the near future. Great opportunity. KERMAN ROCK divides opinions but on the 7 day back-up with Holly Watson back aboard he gets his chance to lead and win. PLAY WITH DESIRE was beaten a margin on Wednesday but will have followers if he starts on the back-up. MANAVENDRA was able to bounce back last start at Albany.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – SECRET ATTRACTION WIN


RACE 5

AUTUMN REBEL is a lightly raced 3 year old with plenty of promise. He drops 3.5kg down to the minimum and is only getting better and better with racing. This is a decent step up from his recent C3 wins, however, prior to that he was only 3.5L off Zipaway/A Lot Of Good Men/Super Smink/Investment Strategy in a WA Guineas. Looks the right stepping stone for him. I LOVE YOUR SMILE was off a 5 day back-up two starts ago when she was plunged from $7.50 into $3.50 and won well over Captain Pluto who franked the form last weekend. If you can forgive her one below par performance then she’s a legitimate danger. SPEAK TO ME backs up off 7 days from another enormous performance in defeat. He’s talented. FLOWER IN THE WIND just needs luck from barrier 1.

Numbers: 10 – 1 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet – AUTUMN REBEL WIN


RACE 6

KING’S PARADE looks another live chance for the CJP/DMac combination. Last start 3 year old Plate winner who is lining up against the older horses in a 60+ Graduation. Drops half a kilo in weight and you wouldn’t need to be all that convincing to sell the argument that this is nearly a drop in grade from his last start win. Improving type who will take down bigger opposition than this throughout his career. THEHORSEMAN is proving to be a really nice horse making his way through the grades. Yet to be convinced on him as an Ascot commodity but like the animal. HESKET tries hard. He’s proven on the quick back-up, he puts himself into a spot and he hasn’t run a bad race since arriving in WA. STARRING KNIGHT is better than his last two.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – KING’S PARADE WIN


RACE 7

CORN COB has found a really nice race here. He’s dropping back into a 72+ ratings race after contesting a Listed 1200 that contained the likes of Wild Belle, Gemma’s Son, Real Danger and Ghost Who Walks. He gets back out to 1600m (last win was a 72+ mile) and his prior efforts had all been against stronger opposition than what he meets here. Can park just behind Material Witness and enjoy a soft run in transit and usually goes around a decent quote. MATERIAL WITNESS drops 4kg and backs up off 7 days after yet another honest on speed effort. He’s going super. ACE COMMAND ran out of his skin last week and gets 4kg on Bruce Almighty/Eeyore Wayz for beating them home! BRUCE ALMIGHTY drops out of the $100,000 feature race series and has Chris Parnham back aboard who has historically got the best out of him.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – CORN COB EACHWAY


RACE 8

MAN CRUSH is a different horse when he can find the fence and he shouldn’t have any troubles crossing those drawn to his inside provided he steps cleanly. Rode the speed in the Boxing Day Dash at Pinjarra Park when holding out the late challenges of Let’s Galahvant and Vast Art who have certainly franked that form since. He’s fresh, he’s suited in the handicap and he’s tough. Plenty to like. GHOST WHO WALKS isn’t known as much of a 1200m horse but he can stay off the fence here and get a better flow into the race. GEMMA’S SON is again drawn to enjoy a lovely stalking run in transit. MY BELLA MAE is 6 weeks between runs and is dangerous with a late split.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – MAN CRUSH WIN

Same Race Multi – Man Crush (Top 3) + Ghost Who Walks (Top 4)

Man Crush comes into this off the back of a gritty win in the $100,000 Boxing Day Dash at Pinjarra Park. He’s likely to jump to the lead, control, dictate and then kick hard into the corner. Tough horse to get past when he’s at 100%. Ghost Who Walks always goes around a big price and has the map and the turn of foot to sneak into the Top 4 and add some value to the Same Race Multi.


RACE 9

MY DILEMMA has been running outrageous late sections so far this preparation – just wish this was 1200m. Almost certainly pulling the trigger a start too soon but with Paul Harvey jumping on I just can’t let her go around without me, the replays have been too good to ignore. She’s flying but she’ll need to stay in touch because they’re going to fly in this behind Land Of Valens/Universal Flair/Rock This Town/Shell Bell. HONEY DEW is another who will get back and need the leaders to be stopping in their tracks late. SHELL BELL looks really well placed here against the older horses and doesn’t need to lead to win. RULER ROCKET is enigmatic but when he puts it all together he’s very sharp.

Numbers: 8 – 7 – 11 – 6

Suggested Bet – MY DILEMMA EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

5,9

1,2,7,9,10

1,3,4,8,11

5,6,7,8,11

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