Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

STREET BAND finds himself in a unique situation as being a 2x winner in a field of maidens. If he was drawn a barrier he’d be even money – but we’re likely to get somewhere around $3 at stages in betting because he’s drawn the outside with a claiming apprentice. He’s the best horse in this field – no debate – but you’ll need to trust Luke Campbell to make the right decisions at the right time. NOAHQUINTILLY covered plenty of additional ground last start and is drawn far better here. EXCEED THE PLANET went around 100-1 on debut in the same race and clocked the fastest L600. ELITE MISSILE has shown plenty in a short career to date.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – STREET BAND WIN

RACE 2

DEVINE BELIEF has been a great betting mare for punters and looks to have found another really winnable race first-up. David Harrison doesn’t tend to take them to the trials unless they need it so wouldn’t be at all worried about the fact she hasn’t been seen publicly this time in and going off her last preparation she’ll be very hard to beat in this. Parks on top of the speed and presents on straightening. 59.5kg shouldn’t concern her over 1000m. RUMOUR SAYS was a ‘be on me next start’ run fresh. She’s a Belmont horse, she’s a 1000m horse and she’s well adept on any sort of rain affected track. ROCK THIS TOWN is jump and run. BOOTS LIKE BRUCE flies fresh.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – DEVINE BELIEF WIN

RACE 3 

OLY’S CHOICE could be an emerging carnival contender the way he’s going. He’s working his way through the grades with arrogance and was arguably career best last start when parking three deep the trip without any cover and marching over the top of a very in form and tough Allez Allez. Should get a gun run behind the speed here and see no reason why we would be jumping off the bandwagon? RUSTY DREAMS may have been flattened by the 60kg first-up. She maps to get a lovely run here and gets weight relief. POMPEY rolls to the top and controls. DEMOLISH was excellent last start and can go on with it.

Numbers: 5 – 6 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – OLY’S CHOICE WIN

RACE 4

ELBOW LOUNGE has promised to win one all campaign but continues to find one better than him on the day. He has finished second at his last four outings – to Richanco (was two from two undefeated), to Best Mood (beat Generosity), to Falcon Trader (won the WA Day Cup) and most recently to Happy As Larry when making excellent ground late from a fair way off them. Jason Whiting back on, drawn soft and goes around eachway. Deserves to win one. BIRD’S THE WORD and BOAB BOY both take care of the speed and both are tough to get past. GINGER GREEN is the class runner but has a lot of weight to carry.

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – ELBOW LOUNGE EACHWAY

RACE 5

RELIABLE QUEEN has had a brilliant preparation for new trainer Meryl Hayley and she looks like she’ll measure up at this level. Last to first winner most recently and gives every indication she’ll see out the 1650m. Brad Parnham jumps on and considering she’ll likely settle in a similar position to the favourite Antique Miss we’ll side up with her at a much better price. ANTIQUE MISS was backed into even money last start in a spirited betting move. Got caught up in a traffic jam and only got out once the race was over. Ready to win. EMERALD TRADER can sustain a run and has returned in good order. NOD AND SMILE is better than what he showed first-up.

Numbers: 9 – 4 – 2 – 11

Suggested Bet – RELIABLE QUEEN EACHWAY

RACE 6

JUSTABITTAPRESS looks like he will get every opportunity from the favourable alley. Returned in style with a big win at the mid-weekers and then most recently got caught three deep the trip and as unable to reel in speedy pair King’s Honour and Ginnivan. Out to 1200m, drawn to get a far more economical run and looks more than capable of winning a Saturday (or three). OBJECTIFY is a sharp filly and the form was franked on Wednesday with Sentimental Belle crunched in betting late and duly saluting at Bunbury. Big respect. OUR ROCKY BAY was a great fresh run last weekend. ON THE MARK is very talented but still eligible for a maiden.

Numbers: 6 – 9 – 4 – 10

Suggested Bet – JUSTABITTAPRESS WIN

RACE 7

ROCKIN’ RUPERT does look the testing material in this open and even 1200m Graduation. He won at this level two start back by almost 1.5L and then went to a 72+ when far from disgraced behind Rope Them In (subsequent 72+ Winner), Ice Pick Nick and Triple Jay. Drops back in grade, gets 1.5kg off with Keshaw Dhurun riding and doesn’t need to get that far back from the barrier. LIFEISBUTADREAM is a sharp filly on the rise and importantly Pike sticks with her. HOBA WEST was one of very few horses to make any ground at Bunbury first-up. ANOTHER STRIKE won well fresh and looks to have upside.

Numbers: 1 – 11 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bet – ROCKIN’ RUPERT WIN

RACE 8

WESTERN EMPIRE went under at odds on in the Hyperion and looked to peak in the last 50m in replay, however, he did have to make a searching run from a fair way out (again) and trusting in the brilliance of Grant & Alana Williams to tighten the screws and bring him back to his peak. Small field suits and if he brings his Joey/Northam Stakes/Belmont Sprint runs he’d get the job done. MAROCCHINO should be given every chance to turn the tables. He will lead uncontested and can run the race to suit himself. Very wary. LET’S GALAHVANT beat them both home last start but will he stay? BE OPTIMISTIC has had a unique prep – first-up 1600m in Adelaide, second-up 2000m in Perth 5 weeks later.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – WESTERN EMPIRE WIN

Same Race Multi – Western Empire (Win) + Marocchino (Top 3)

Western Empire loomed large in the Hyperion Stakes (1600) but just looked to peak in the final 50m when finishing fourth. Smaller field suits, less rain around suits and expect that he can sit back and zap them to record yet another Group 3 feature success. Marocchino leads, dictates and controls the race

RACE 9

CELEBRITY PRINCE got into all sorts last start in a complete forgive run. Dance Boss and Chollima came wide for their runs and built momentum, Celebrity Prince went back to the inside and got held up repeatedly. They meet again here at 1400m and it’s rare that you see William Pike held up twice on the same horse. In Willie we trust. CHOLLIMA gets back out to 1400 and as we saw last start there’s very little between her and DANCE BOSS. Likely comes down to who gets the better run / ride. GIFT OF THE HEART has his first start for Neville Parnham and parks in a prominent spot close handy.

Numbers: 11 – 9 – 8 – 10

Suggested Bet – CELEBRITY PRINCE WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

6,9

1,2,3,4,7,11

1,2

7,8,9,10,11,13

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