Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

SIREN ASSAULT won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and then last weekend sat three deep the trip in the Karrakatta Plate when still running fifth behind highly exciting (and potentially Hong Kong bound) juvenile Bustling. In 2023 Sean & Jake Casey backed up Snow Prince out of the Karrakatta Plate and he bolted in – they try the same thing in 2024 with Siren Assault. She’s the class filly and she’s tough. RAINLINE was brave on debut after being trapped three deep throughout. We get a sighter into that form with True Apostle racing Thursday at Ascot. SHOW THE WAY got the job done last start gunning down BATTLE COMMANDER. They’re both in the mix again.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – SIREN ASSAULT WIN


RACE 2

PLATINUM CLASS has only won once from 19 outings – so we’re not getting too excited – however, her recent trial behind Lord Lala was good enough and in a 1000m scamper where they’ll likely burn along (Just So Sassy / Star Power / City Angel / Go Go Grommet / Smokey Mountain) it could be set up for one to get home over the top. Realistically any of these 8 could win. CRIPPALENKO won a near identical race two starts back when the leaders simply ran themselves ragged. GO GO GROMMET is a really nice type for a Westspeed Platinum but could well end up three deep? STAR POWER races Thursday. Will she back up off 2 days?

Numbers: 7 – 5 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – PLATINUM CLASS EACHWAY


RACE 3

BARNEY’S WORLD was able to win a 60+ 1000 last weekend but it was a race that contained sharp filly Generosity so it had a bit more depth than your average Graduation. He’s a lightly raced 3 year old with plenty of upside and in a tactical affair that might turn into a sit and sprint behind Avoidance/Storm Commander he can hold a spot from his ideal barrier. Great chance to go back to back. HANG GLIDER put on a 1000m sprinting clinic first-up last campaign off 98 days. Attacks this off 104. On his day he’s very good. Big respect. MADAM KISSES should finally get conditions to suit. STORM COMMANDER tries hard and puts himself over the speed.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – BARNEY’S WORLD WIN


RACE 4

MALKAR PINDARI got punters excited first-up when she let rip with a powerful turn of foot from a seemingly impossible position on straightening. She rises up in grade here but drops 2kg and if she can unwind the same barnstorming finish second-up she’ll take holding out. She’s back bigger and better than last campaign and still has plenty of time to work her way through the grades. TRIPLE JAY drops down 6kg here third-up and reunites with William Pike. Should he step cleanly he can hold a prominent position close handy. ICE PICK NICK rolls to the top and controls. STREET PARADE is always there abouts.

Numbers: 5 – 7 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – MALKAR PINDARI WIN


RACE 5

NEW MUSIC was desperately unlucky last start in a key form reference race behind Sapphire Street which contained rivals Miss Rockjoy, Cool Memory, On Patrol and Bondi Plunge. Watching the replay it’s easy to sell yourself that she would have finished right in and amongst the placegetters had she got clear galloping room in the home straight and many will be looking to jump on her bandwagon here getting out to a mile. FLY WITH CAUTION has 60kg on his back and a tricky barrier in 6 of 9, however, he destroyed the older horses last start and is getting better with racing. ON PATROL is bursting to win one. BONDI PLUNGE finally draws a gate.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet – NEW MUSIC EACHWAY


RACE 6

LACED UP HEELS was grabbed in the shadows of the post in the Joey last week at WFA. Carries the same weight at SWP against her own sex and looks really well placed. The last time she raced over 1400 at Ascot she beat Amelia’s Jewel and she’s back to somewhere near her very best. Popular off the 7 day spin. BABY PARIS won the Jungle Dawn in December which is a race with identical conditions (Ascot, 1400, SWP, Fillies & Mares) and even carried the same 58.5kg as she has here. She doesn’t need to lead to win, but from barrier 8 of 8 they might need to punch forward. REAL DANGER tries hard but Baby Paris had her measure last start. SAPPHIRE STREET the X-Factor with 52.5kg.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 3 – 8

Suggested Bet – LACED UP HEELS WIN

Same Race Multi – Laced Up Heels (Top 2) + Baby Paris (Top 2)


RACE 7 

FAST FLICKER was enormous last start behind talented 3 year old Fly With Caution. He was off and gone on straightening while she was back in the field trying to circle horses out deep who were not going to take her anywhere into the home straight. Love the way she attacked the line and reuniting with Paul Harvey on a day where the Sea Breeze should suit those with cover she looks to have found a great set up to win again. DIALLING is a progressive 3 year old who drops 3kg on an impressive last start win. Bars on a query. BOAB BOY keeps kicking on speed. ENCHANTING SOUND maps to get every chance.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet – FAST FLICKER WIN


RACE 8

PLAYZ WITH FIRE returned last campaign off a lengthy spell and looked like she was building in confidence start to start throughout the preparation. The day she won the Westspeed Platinum Final we got to see exactly what she’s capable of and her recent trial suggested she’s potentially back to somewhere near her very best. Sit and sprint mare with a sit and sprint rider. Like the her. ROCKIN’ RUPERT could not have trialled up any better and first-up last campaign split two quality animals in a 66+. Great placement. BECALOTTI was nabbed on the line by Sonoftheboss fresh. Only improves second-up. LORD LALA is a nice 3 year old resuming off a strong trial win.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – PLAYZ WITH FIRE EACHWAY


RACE 9

DESENNEA should get every chance from the perfect barrier. Lord Gannicus and Allez Allez will ensure that the race is run at a genuine gallop and William Pike should be poised and ready to stride in behind them with the versatile and consistent Desennea. Strong effort in defeat first-up and then ran into Oly’s Choice last start who is extremely sharp on his day. Should get every chance here third-up. ZEPHYRA comes through the same race and was bolting when badly held up on multiple occasions. She’s a legitimate threat. CATCH THESE HANDS got a confidence boosting win at Albany last start. STRIKE NOW caught the eye first-up from a fair way off them.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet – DESENNEA WIN


Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,4

2,5,6

2,3,4,5,7

1,7

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