Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

SALOON BAR trialled nicely leading into his return at Belmont Park and then showed he was back in good order when finishing a narrow second to in form filly Universal Flair over 1200. He ran a faster L600 than Too Dardy and that indicates he’s well and truly capable of proving himself at this level. Small field suits and should enjoy a soft run in behind a solid speed (Rocapozzene & Kelvinator). MISS DRAKOVA is bursting to win a race. She dropped back to 1000 and finished a solid second to Songaa in a winner producing race (Final Authority, Bread To Flirt, Art of Sabrage) and then was beaten by the pattern behind Duchess Of Gossip. SISU WARRIOR is going through his grades. ROCCAPOZZENE has X-Factor.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – SALOON BAR WIN

RACE 2

STATE OF POWER has had a 6 week freshen. In the last 6 months Simon Miller has produced 5 horses on a freshen of between 5 and 7 weeks for 2 winners at 37% POT. Three starts ago she split Real Danger and Ghost Who Walks and two starts ago she was a luckless fourth behind Real Danger, Bitofmerit and Snowdome. She certainly looks the map horse of the race sitting on the tow ball of Puli and Olga Louisa as they go to battle early. PREMIUM CHOICE had a hind bar go on last start. He is a previous winner with the bar on and as long as he can stay within striking distance he’ll be popular again. PULI is high speed. OLGA LOUISA is high speed. Potentially bring each other undone?

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – STATE OF POWER EACHWAY

RACE 3

ODINAKA got a mile off them first-up behind Hanchi and subsequent winner A Lot Of Good Men before attacking the line behind A Lot Of Good Man and Skytalker. A Lot Of Good Men heads to the paddock to prepare for a Belgravia Stakes and now Odinaka is third-up, out to 1300m, drawn a gate and reunited with Shaun McGruddy. This is a good quality 2 year old clash but he’s going well. CHOLLIMA sat out the back and gunned down Ancient Guidance from a mile off them on debut. She’s a smart filly. LORD VAMPI has set tongues wagging at trials on both occasions and the horse who ran second to him in the most recent (Cosmic Crusader) won well on debut on Wednesday. MORE SPECIAL leads and gives cheek.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – ODINAKA WIN

RACE 4

FIRST ENCOUNTER is 70 days between runs since announcing himself as a highly progressive and exciting 3 year old when beating the older horses in a 60+ 1600m in early May. You would think that the timing of the freshen suggests that Bob Peters thinks he can work his way through the grades and tackle races across the carnival at Ascot. If he’s vulnerable it’s going to be first-up 1400 but we’ll trust that his class and William Pike gets him through. GAGE ROADS drops out of a handy 3 year old race. Thought he got to the line alright late. KEYTRADE was a monster run last week. He’s ready to win. COLD SHIZZLE toyed with Westspeed Platinum rivals last start.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – FIRST ENCOUNTER WIN

RACE 5

ON THE FULL is looking to record a third straight win this preparation and looks to have found a very suitable Westspeed Platinum 1200 in which to do so. Last weekend he was scratched when drawn outside of Final Authority, Lucy Da Grey and Talk It Up. He would have been 4 deep throughout in that race – great decision to scratch. He should work his way to the top and from there is hard to run down. VOGUES CHOICE had to dig deep to win last start. She tracked a solid tempo and fought off the challengers late. Impressive win. DIVINE FLIRT trialled super on two occasions leading into her first-up win. ULTIMATE COMMAND is again drawn wide with weight.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – ON THE FULL WIN

RACE 6 

QUEEN ALINA could not have done any more last start. She was parked three deep throughout, without any cover at any stage, and was still brave enough to cover all of those inside her on straightening only to be nabbed on the post by Ex Sport Man. She up to 60kg but she’s drawn to get a far more economical run in transit here. Has raced well all preparation and deserves to win one. SLUICE BOX has a senior rider going on. All of his good runs over the last 2 months have been with a senior. Right move. OUTSPOKEN LAD stepped out to the staying trip for the first time in the campaign and ran really well. OUR NORMAN should be just about ready fourth-up.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – QUEEN ALINA WIN

RACE 7

DUCHESS OF GOSSIP is a filly making her way through the grades impressive. Last start William Pike was able to work his way forward to breeze in a slowly run event and from there she was never getting beaten. This looks an opportunity for them to come out neutral, find a back to follow and then unleash her powerful turn of acceleration in the home straight. Get the feeling she’ll go to another level ridden patiently. She’s raw and she’s exciting. ALL DAY SESSION sneaks back in to a 66+. Three starts ago in a 72+ 1200 he arguably should have gone close to beating Rokanori and Vane Tempest. LEXINGTON CITY should find the top here and showed grit last start when doing it tough. HINT OF MINT enjoys the run of the race.

Numbers: 12 – 2 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – DUCHESS OF GOSSIP WIN

RACE 8

NERODIO never got a crack at them in the Beaufine. He again has to carry 60.5kg but he’s drawn barrier 5 where he should be able to stay well and truly off the fence and peel into the race at the right time. The H.G Bolton has far more depth than the Beaufine so he’ll comfortably go round eachway throughout betting. He’s more than capable of carrying the weight and winning another feature. PHANTA attacked the Scenic Blast Stakes off a similar preparation in January and more than held his own. REAL DANGER gets out to 1200m and can roll forward to find a spot. BITOFMERIT tackles Black Type racing for the first time in his career. Down to 54kg and is electric on his day.

Numbers: 1 – 11 – 12 – 7

Suggested Bet – NERODIO EACHWAY

Same Race Multi – (Nerodio Top 4) + Real Danger (Top 4)

RACE 9

SAN FABRIZIO has had two starts in WA. A strong C3 victory with 60.5kg and then a solid third behind Rare Encounter and Crescent City. He meets Rare Encounter 2kg better at the weights and is drawn barrier 5 while she’s out in 16 of 16. Should enjoy a gun run behind the speed and looks like he’ll be poised to strike. BIGDAYONIT backs up off 7 days after another strong on-speed effort. Last week they ran the first 800m 10L faster than average. No where near as much pressure in this. Hard to get past. RARE ENCOUNTER has returned in excellent order. Will need to find the right back to follow and the race to unfold in her favour from the horror alley. VITALIZE was disappointing last start. Senior back on here.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – SAN FABRIZIO EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,4

2,4,12

1,7,11,12,14

2,3,4

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