Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

CASTLE ROAD was the eighth winner produced by super-dam Clarecastle and he looks like he’ll be winning again. He’s a jump and run 1000m horse who has race experience on his side and considering he was coming off only 400m jump outs he should be improving fitness wise and be leading and winning again. GOLDEN OPERA makes her debut from barrier 1 and can sit on the tow ball of Castle Road and follow him wherever he goes. He wobbled up the track a bit on debut so could even get an inside run. TRUE FICTION improves second-up. LONDON’S RASCAL was better in the recent jump out.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – CASTLE ROAD WIN

RACE 2

NORTHERN DIAMOND is still a work in progress but the majority of recent maidens in WA have been won by 3 year olds taking on the older horses and that’s the case again here with her. Split What’s The Point (since second to Earthstorm) and beat home Cosmic Spirit by 3L last start. Right form, right placement. ROMANIC RULER just can’t quite break through. So far this preparation second to Cable Rock (1200), second to Frappuccino beating home subsequent winner Star Prophet (1300) and second to Latte With Pro (1650). Back to 1400m but again drawn really poorly. TACTICS put in a shocker last start. Forgive. PRECIOUS GOD has ability.

Numbers: 14 – 1 – 5 – 16

Suggested Bet – NORTHERN DIAMOND WIN

RACE 3

KISSES FROM KELLY topped off a brilliant training performance last start by Holly Taylor. He was second-up, off 7 days, from 1800 to 2200m and he won with a bit left I feel. The margin wasn’t great, but had he got the runs at the top of the straight the margin would have been greater. Hard to fault him and this is a near identical line-up. ROCKING SOCIETY is the new addition and has the Melvista / WATC Derby form to his name. Was successfully plunged last start. ALASKAN was really well backed in the same race as Kisses From Kelly ($14 into $8) and ran well. IDYLLIC RULER can roll along at his own tempo.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – KISSES FROM KELLY WIN

RACE 4

DEVINE BELIEF is the best mare in the field ability wise, however, she’s got 60kg and she’s untested at 1200m previously. Very wary that she may be vulnerable over the last 100m but if Luke Campbell can give her a soft run from the perfect barrier, then her class should take her a long way into the home straight. MISS FLIRTACIOUS was scratched from last week to save for this and can roll forward and park outside the favourite (or even push on with it). RISSOLES steps up massively in grade but does look progressive. JANNY has gone to another level over the last month and deserves massive respect.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 11 – 4

Suggested Bet – DEVINE BELIEF WIN

RACE 5

GOLD MAKER has returned to racing well and this looks winnable for him. Went to a 3 year old Plate last start and ran into speedy pair Nonesospicy and Nicely Played. Neither of them progress to this race and the extra 200m looks to be in his favour. Very even line-up and think he’s a chance at double figures. STREET BAND hasn’t been seen for 6 weeks since a sectionally impressive run in the Fairetha behind September Born. SUNSHINE TAFE just needs to find the right back to follow. DIAMONDS’N’RUBIES was the best trial Belmont has seen for a while.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 12 – 13

Suggested Bet – GOLD MAKER EACHWAY

RACE 6

NUMERIAN won this race in 2023 and looks to be in as good form 12 months later. He’s a proven WFA commodity, he’s a proven staying commodity, he runs for CJP and he was brave in the Northerly Stakes when caught wide throughout and enduring a very tough run in transit. Drawn to get the run of the race here. SOCKS NATION beat him home in the Northerly and looks the big (only?) danger in a race which might be again destined to be dominated by the Eastern States raiders. She could easily win the Van Heemst – Perth Cup double. IN GOOD ORDER and RUSSIAN TO THE BAR step up massively in grade but are relatively lightly raced.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – NUMERIAN WIN

Same Race Multi – Numerian (Top 2) + Socks Nation (Top 2)

Taking the aggressive approach here and backing Numerian and Socks Nation in a fixed odds quinella using the Same Race Multi functionality by locking in both to run Top 2. Numerian won this race 12 months ago and was brave in the Northerly Stakes after tramping three deep throughout and Socks Nation put the writing on the wall in the same race and announced herself as a big Perth Cup contender.

RACE 7

INVESTMENT STRATEGY is really well placed here by Neville Parnham. Group 3 RJ Peters, Listed Carbine Club, 78+ and now a 72+. Think 1400m is his sweet spot, have no issues with him carrying the weight and if he can get an ounce of luck from a really bad barrier then feel he’s the testing material. LORD GANNICUS surprised a few last week with a tough three deep win. He’s more than capable on his day, just can mix his form. YARRALEA had to sustain a long run from the rear of the field last Saturday. She’s going super. WEERAECHOUX trialled well for a horse first-up over 1400m.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 12 – 7

Suggested Bet – INVESTMENT STRATEGY WIN

RACE 8

HERE FOR CHEQUES ran very well into second-up first-up behind Count The Sessions, was caught up in a bumping duel for the majority of the race second-up, and then was only 4L off highly progressive type Watch Me Rock last start. Comes into it a month between runs dropping back to 1400m and might sneak under the radar. PROFIT AND POCKET had to do a bit of work in the early stages to eventually find her spot last start (worth watching the first 400m) and all things considered wasn’t bad late. CITINO trialled really well leading into his return. ROMMEO could well measure up at this level.

Numbers: 4 – 8 – 2 – 16

Suggested Bet – HERE FOR CHEQUES EACHWAY

RACE 9

NORICH stopped the clock faster than Overpass same track, same distance, same day. From that perspective it’s hard to tip past him, even drawn barrier 18. Maybe they’ve figured him out? Faster he goes, the better he goes? Expect Shaun McGruddy will opt the same tactics here and burn across and play ‘catch me if you can’. HOSTILE TALK should get a run (Go Go Grommet heads to Pinjarra Sunday) and has always shown ability. CAPRICORN MAN is well proven in this grade and looks a big price? Scratched Wednesday to save for this. HALATORION is going better than it reads.

Numbers: 7 – 17 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – NORICH WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

1,8

2,4,9,12

2,4,8

4,7,8,17

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