Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BARTIME was $9 into $3.60 last start in the race won by Define Beautiful and couldn’t get anywhere near the top. Don’t think he’s as effective: A) over 1200m; and B) when he can’t park up over the speed. Going to follow up considering the volume of support that came his way and the fact that he can park close handy and track up behind likely leader Diamondsnrubies. DESERT DANCING was huge when cutting her way through the field into second. She’s out to 1400m for the first time in her career and drawn wide/back but expect she’ll rattle home late. AUTO CRUISE is a lightly raced mare with above average ability. Nicely placed into a Westspeed second-up. GOLD MAKER has been thereabouts all preparation without winning one.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 9 – 2

Suggested Bet – BARTIME EACHWAY

RACE 2

BEATTY was backed as if unbeatable on debut and that proved to be the case. He came under a bit of pressure on straightening but it’s hard to ignore the way he picked up and attacked the line over the concluding stages to win running away from the previously undefeated All On Red. Looks the same map and with only 1kg extra on his back expect he’ll be very popular in betting again. MYSTIC SMILE has shown good natural ability in her trials. She has been winding up strongly under little riding and looks a ready made professional. Trevor Andrews’ yard is firing on all cylinders and she looms as a legitimate threat. CONSIGNMENT looked the kind of horse who could go straight to the races and make an impression on debut. HILLSIDE AVENUE has the fence to follow and has been solid in two trials.

Numbers: 1 – 11 – 3 – 9

Suggested Bet – BEATTY WIN

RACE 3

ROCKING SOCIETY should be ready third-up from a spell. Last campaign he won third-up 1800, fourth-up 2100 and fifth-up 2200 as he progressed from Graduation company into back to back 66+ wins. This campaign he stepped out first-up in a 72+ 1600 and finished 1L off them and then second-up went to York and didn’t seem to handle the track. Forgiving the performance and following him back to Ascot in a race where he can sit close handy. FIRST ENCOUNTER has become both dour and costly this campaign. He’s not showing the same turn of foot as last preparation and now he’s awkwardly caught in between grades. TWILIGHT TALE put the writing on the wall last start and gets a senior rider back. WEMBANYAMA looks like he’ll stay and has come of age this prep.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet – ROCKING SOCIETY EACHWAY

RACE 4

WESTBOUND was coming out of a Geraldton maiden heading straight into 60+ Graduation company when third behind Hoba West and Reuben’s Ceiling. Think he’ll be better suited sitting midfield in the three deep line and unwinding into the race. 3 year old vs Older horses in a 60+ Graduation continues to prove profitable so we’ll trust the process and go his way in a race that should be eachway the field. KELORA is a model of consistency but he lacks a killer blow. He’ll travel the winner, he’ll loom the winner but in all likelihood, he’ll find one or two better than him on the day. GOLDEN DORE has a horrible galloping action but somehow it works for him? SKYTALKER was set alight by CJP at Bunbury under 61.5kg and was simply too classy for his rivals.

Numbers: 16 – 9 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – WESTBOUND EACHWAY

RACE 5

ESSENTRIC NATURE won at 1300, 1400 & 1400 to record a hattrick before being nominated for the Asian Beau Stakes. He didn’t accept in that event and was forced to drop back in distance to 1200m where he was always likely to be run off his feet early, especially considering the conditions of that program and the time they ran (1:08:95). Back in grade, back out to 1400m and a SW breeze forecast. Think he can bound back. SIXINCH HEELS has been the target of backing at each and every run this campaign. The last start effort was clearly the best of her preparation to date. ANGEL UNDERCOVER actually held her own in the Crawford and then showed what she’s capable of last start, aided by a perfect ride from ZJP. AWESOME BOY is a serious talent. He drops 6.5kg on a great return to racing.

Numbers: 2 – 11 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – ESSENTRIC NATURE WIN

RACE 6

COSMIC CRUSADER has had a lot spoken about him in the last few months as the All-In favourite for the Railway Stakes, who had to win either the Asian Beau or the RJ Peters to even gain a start. He unfortunately hasn’t been able to win either of those races and for a third time straight will go around odds on as he looks to win the ‘Consolation’. Still think he’s a star, but maybe not quite as brilliant as we had hoped? AZTEC RULER was a massive improver last weekend and gets a 2kg weight swing on Cosmic Crusader for finishing right alongside him. Won this race in 2024 and is back to that kind of form again. YONGA LASS reunites with Pike, drops 1.5kg into a more suitable race and goes around eachway. ASPHALT faces his toughest test to date as a m81 rater taking on far more experienced and credentialled rivals. Does the new kid on the block measure up?

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 6 – 10

Suggested Bet – COSMIC CRUSADER WIN

RACE 7

CAPTAIN PLUTO looks the progressive stayer heading towards the 2026 Perth Cup. He won the Bunbury Cup in March and looks to have come back bigger and better this time around. Hard to miss his run in the Northam Cup and then won soft in the Luckygray Stakes. Even better suited out to 2100m and looks to again build into the race from the 800 in the three deep moving line. FILTHY HABITS will keep getting better and better into the campaign. He as a solid return at 1800 and whether it’s slowly run or fast run he’ll be right there at the 200 fighting. ROYAL LAW has to take a big step up but he gets in on the minimum and is tracking in the right direction. MEMORY PARADE goes to unchartered waters at 2100.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 8 – 11

Suggested Bet – CAPTAIN PLUTO WIN

RACE 8

KING OF LIGHT is four from four undefeated and has won the Belgravia Stakes – Fairetha Stakes double on his way through to the WA Guineas. He meets key rivals Rock Fest and Heeza Pheonix 1kg better at the weights for beating them home at 1400m and is even better suited at a mile. He’s already $3.20 All-In for the Group One Northerly Stakes and should he win the Guineas and book himself a ballot exempt spot he’ll be into $2.30/$2.40 by 5pm Saturday afternoon. ROCK FEST was a brilliant return to racing. He was as good as King Of Light and ran right through the line. He’s the real deal. HEEZA PHOENIX ran the first 800m 7.5L faster than average and was only grabbed on the post. He’s a beast too. LADIES PRO brings alternate form and love three back the fence for her.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 3 – 13

Suggested Bet – KING OF LIGHT WIN

RACE 9

WATCH ME ROCK has been touted as a Railway Stakes type for just over 6 months. Since the Blinkers went on in a 66+ 1400 on 19 October 2024 he has won 7 of 9 and worked his way into the Group One Feature close to the minimum. History says the Railway winner is at the bottom end of the weight scale and while incredibly 54kg would be the second highest winning weight of the last decade it’s worth noting that there’s only horse actually on the min (Storyville). He’s versatile, he travels well, he has change up speed – he could get plunged. DEPTH OF CHARACTER drew 20/20 but if he can land three/four deep cover then he’s right in it. Brings the same profile as Port Lockroy in 2024: Golden Eagle – Railway. SUPER SMINK is flying and must be respected off her WFA Lee Steere win. WESTERN EMPIRE could end up in a tricky spot on straightening. In Billy we trust.

Numbers: 12 – 14 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – WATCH ME ROCK WIN

Same Race Multi – Watch Me Rock (Top 2) + Super Smink (Top 4)

Watch Me Rock has the ‘profile’ of a Railway Stakes winner. 5 of the last 10 winners have come through the Asian Beau, 5 of them have been trained by Grant & Alana Williams, 4 of them have been ridden by William Pike and all 10 of them have been on or very close to the 53kg minimum. Super Smink is another last start winner who will look to park three deep and wind up into the race.

RACE 10

SMOOTH CHINO is looking to remain undefeated after five starts. He’s drawn barrier 1 which throws up a real curveball for a few reasons: 1) he likely gets crossed by speedy mare Nobellity in the first 200m; 2) there’s a 15-20km SW forecast for this stage of the day which typically means swoopers; and 3) he’s likely to get in pretty short ($2.40 – $2.70 range). Going to stick with him off the back of his strong fresh win from the breeze, especially after Jaz Session franked the form last weekend. He’s a real talent. SHMOOV MOOVA is presented fresh without a trial and Simon Miller loves booking Eastern States riders on horses that are ready to win on Feature Days. SCULLY was enormous two back. KEEP READING trialled well and ran well first-up.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 13 – 1

Suggested Bet – SMOOTH CHINO WIN

Quaddie (Race 7 – 10)

2

1

1,4,8,12,14

2,3

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