Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

SATURDAY SESH took full advantage of the on-speed nature of the Kalgoorlie track over the traditional annual race round and recorded his third win from four starts this preparation. He came into this campaign as a 10 start maiden so he’s clearly matured and improved and they’ve seemingly figured out how to ride him. Straight to the front and get rivals chasing. GOLD MAKER has run three consecutive minors and is bursting to win a race. If Saturday Sesh copped a bit of pressure from Frappuccino then he looks the one capable of taking advantage of any late vulnerability. CLIMB ON TOP has always been a handy Westspeed Platinum horse and he’s a proven weight carrier. He won well last start and the runner-up (Kelora) again placed last weekend on Opening Day. RAINLINE won a Saturday 2 year old SWP as a filly but hasn’t been able to win another since.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – SATURDAY SESH EACHWAY

RACE 2

JUST SAINT JAMES will conceded them a head start but on his day he’s got the necessary firepower to gun these types down. Pin Deep/Mighty Hosana/This’ll Show Ya, Teabiscuit/Resonator will ensure there’s a very genuine tempo throughout and that should also allow Chris Parnham to slot into a nice position worse than midfield with cover. He was under no riding in his trial and was only run down late by impressive midweek winner Elite Beau. Looks a good race for him on paper. MAGALI MAGIC will cut all the corners and has a short sharp sprint suited to that kind of run in transit. PIN DEEP ran them ragged at Northam. Can he do it over 1100m under 61kg? UNDER INFLUENCE hasn’t seen a 0MWLY for a long while having contested 66+ and 72+ races all campaign.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet – JUST SAINT JAMES WIN

RACE 3

MOONWALK may be only coming out of a 1000m Northam maiden win but on the 54kg limit looks hard to beat. She showed promise in her initial preparation as a 2 year old and this time around she looks a genuine Burgess Queen – Champion Fillies contender. Love the way she extended late and can use her tactical speed to take advantage of the barrier. SPLIT THE GEE let rip down the centre of the track on Grand Final Day to beat the older horses in a 60+ Graduation and then last weekend took on 66+ opposition which included sharp fellow 3 year olds Playin’ It Sweet and Mardusa. On the 7 day spin, back to her own age group and out to 1400m. Gets a soft run and looks the danger. HOLLER NUFF won well but with Effortlessly flopping midweek the form is questionable. FIERY SPARK can bounce back in shades.

Numbers: 8 – 2 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – MOONWALK WIN

RACE 4

MAGNA’S CHOICE was once 2 from 2 undefeated and went into the 2024 Placid Ark Stakes as a $7 chance when beaten under 1.5L to Wind And The Lion, London’s Image and Golden Vale. Had one run at Ascot in April off the back of a moderate trial and was tipped out. Trialled much better this time around and this is a relatively thin 60+ Grad. PURE EXCESS must have had a set back at some stage. She’s been nominated and accepted a few times recently and then scratched. Nice filly but wary she’s still a maiden and they could be chasing their tail with her. CLEANEMUP ran fourth in the Ron Sayers Sprint (66+) and now dropping back in grade, with a senior rider and a set of blinkers on must be respected. CANNY ROCK can come out running in an attempt to find the breeze.

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – MAGNA’S CHOICE WIN

RACE 5

ODINAKA is flying. Won a 66+ 1600 at Belmont three start ago when parking wide throughout and holding off the late challenge of Twilight Tale, ran third to Decision Maker and Antique Star two starts ago and then on Kal Cup Day kept under 59kg in a race where Don’t Wait For Luck completely dominated from the top. Drawn well, maps well, racing well. ROCKING SOCIETY will commence his attack on the 2026 Perth Cup here over a mile and there’s no reason why he can’t win first-up. Loves Ascot, loves Lucy and can carry the weight. EXCELTRAIN is stretched at 1600m but Pike sticking helps. OTHERONESON gets Chris Parnham back who has ridden him to all four career wins.

Numbers: 10 – 3 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – ODINAKA EACHWAY

RACE 6

WEMBANYAMA was the beneficiary of a quintessential William Pike Ascot ride. From three back the fence he didn’t go around a horse, from leader’s back Exquisite Taste was held up the entire – too good. He ran down Linchpin and think that Linchpin is a better animal than any of his rivals 7 days later. Very hard to beat. TWILIGHT TALE finished second to Odinaka in a 66+ two starts ago and then went around $4.60 in another 66+ last start. Carries half a kilo less dropping back into a 60+ Graduation. Time for her to stand up. CHANGING GUARD was beaten out of sight at Kalgoorlie, however, the prior three runs were all good enough to win this. BLAZING EMERALD isn’t going as bad as it looks on paper.

Numbers: 7 – 6 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – WEMBANYAMA WIN

RACE 7

LORD SHIVA went to a new level when joining Mitchell Pateman last campaign and the key to his success: “let a fast horse be fast”. They allowed him to do what he wants and that’s to run, he got his rivals uncomfortable and had them chasing from start to finish. His biggest asset is his high cruising speed and he’ll be freewheeling into the corner at Ascot with only 56kg. Looks a great set up for him. JAZ SESSION also went through the grades impressively when last in work and is capable of absorbing pressure in her races and still showing a turn of foot late. Makes her the danger. BLACK ORA will have to concede them a big head start at a relatively short quote. SKY DUKE will likely have to breeze under 59kg.

Numbers: 7 – 5 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet – LORD SHIVA EACHWAY

RACE 8 

SUPER SMINK is brilliantly suited under the SWP conditions of the Crawford Stakes. She’s the highest rated horse in the field and only has 55.5kg, she has trialled brilliantly for her return and looks to have the sharpness back in her legs. Her fresh run last preparation at Belmont was a monster and then second-up she won the Asian Beau. This time around she’ll likely go Crawford – Lee Steere – Railway and she looks like she’s returned in outstanding order. LONDON’S IMAGE isn’t suited under the conditions (would get 9kg on Super Smink in a Handicap), however, she’s drawn to enjoy a soft run, she’s now with Grant & Alana Williams and she’s still improving. ROPE THEM IN only trialled fair by his lofty standards. TWAINS ANGEL is drawn awkwardly and will need some luck.

Numbers: 9 – 11 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet – SUPER SMINK WIN

RACE 9

WATCH ME ROCK won 5 from 6 when the blinkers went on and stamped himself as a Railway Stakes contender. He has been trialling enormous at Lark Hill and he maps to get a wonderful stalking run following the every move of Comfort Me. With clear galloping room on straightening he looks the one. COMFORT ME won this race last year (with 55kg) and looks like he’s afforded a wonderful map again in 2025. He’ll cross these without any real effort and if they allow him to pinch a cheap section in the middle stages he’ll take running down. MAGNIFICENT ANDY is just a ripper. He won at 1200m at WFA in the Golden Saddle and even though he’s lumped with 59.5kg here in the Eurythmic Stakes he’ll still take beating. BONJOY knows how to win, she’s 11 from 19 and it was hard to miss her most recent trial.

Numbers: 7 – 5 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet – WATCH ME ROCK WIN

Same Race Multi – Watch Me Rock (Top 2) + Comfort Me (Top 3)

Watch Me Rock had blinkers added to his gear 19 October 2024 and since has won 6/7. Trialled super, drawn well to stalk the speed and looks on track for a tilt at the Railway Stakes. Comfort Me won this race in 2024 and looks mapped to lead without much pressure in 2025.

RACE 10

BE BARDOT was a dominant 3L winner first-up at Belmont Park in a 60+ Graduation. No doubt that this 66+ has more depth to it and she’ll have to overcome a tricky barrier but she’s the kind of mare who has always given the impression that she would work through the grades and feel as though if you line her and stablemate Essentric Nature up alongside eachother at the top of the straight it’s game on. Without Pike we get a price. ESSENTRIC NATURE is the one that Pike sticks with and that decision has to be given huge respect and weight. Won well last start, but wasn’t exactly convincing at $1.60 after being given the perfect run into the race. BRAVE SPIRIT certainly raced like he wanted 1400 fresh. FUNCHAL can sprint well fresh.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – BE BARDOT EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 7 – 10)

5,6,7

2,9,11

1,5,7,10

1,2,4

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