Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BARRON BILL has run second in both career outings to date and just looks to be screaming out for 1200m. He’s drawn a gate to get an ideal run, likely 1×1, and from there he should have no excuses. Less speed early should allow him to balance up earlier in the race and that could be the difference for him. VINNY NAY made his debut at Ascot in a 1200m maiden when finishing third behind stablemate Consignment and subsequent mid-week maiden winner She’s A Splinter and then headed 10 days later in the WA Sires Produce when just under 4L behind Karrakatta Plate quinella Beatty and Afireofgidgeecoals. Back to 1200m and has shown above average ability so far. IZA BAY was $26 into $12 on Wednesday at Pinjarra before being scratched to save for this. Love the way she powered through the line at Lark Hill, even with that awkward ungainly galloping action. SWIFT RULER did things wrong on debut and has again trialled up well.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 8 – 3              

Suggested Bet – BARRON BILL WIN

RACE 2  

ANTIQUE STAR has looked dour all preparation. She trialled up brilliantly at Lark Hill and then raced 5 days later when second behind Platinum Shot in a solid return, but each of her five runs since have been one paced. The Rock ‘N’ The Jam form is the premier form and she’s both out in distance and back in grade. Her last win was a 66+ 2100 at Ascot (also sixth-up in a campaign) and while she isn’t going as well this time around, this is a very thin race. ROCK IN WONDER was $4.40 into $2.40 last start but unfortunately for punters couldn’t shake the tag of Beyond The Limits who got him late. Query on that form is that the winner was coming out of a maiden handicap at Narrogin. ARGYLE STAR drops back 900m from the Jericho Cup Qualifier and will stay all day. DARK LOOKS doesn’t win many races but runs plenty of placings.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 4 – 2       

Suggested Bet – ANTIQUE STAR WIN

RACE 3  

MT SHIRATAKU burst on to the scene winning an 1100m maiden and 1200m C3 in back to back galloping exhibitions in May 2025. His first-up run last preparation under 60.5kg was enormous and then things must have gone wrong (scratched 7th Jan 2026 and immediately spelled). Always been a fan of the horse and like the fact he’s had 2x barrier trials to prepare him for his return. Awkward map but a versatile and talented animal. NONESOSPICY has the luxurious 2kg claim of Holly Nottle and ran well at her return from another decent spell, but the query is whether she’ll run out a strong 1200m. Her form is exclusively at the short course and that may leave her vulnerable late. ACORN was out bobbed by Hezangelic last start at Ascot and gets a gun run from the draw. Slowly but surely improving in his racing manners. GO GO GROMMET just can’t buy a gate/map.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 2 – 5    

Suggested Bet – MT SHIRATAKU WIN

RACE 4

HEZANGELIC is going super and Holly Nottle seems to have been the difference. Last season 71% of Belmont 1000m winners settled first four in running so he’ll be right place, right time and after being a bridesmaid for much of his preparation is suddenly looking for three on the bounce. MAGNIQUE is a talented sprinter who flies fresh. 59.5kg and a really tricky barrier are the off-putting factors, but she’s 66+ placed to Smooth Chino and resumes in a Grad. ELITE BEAU is still a colt and will concede them a head start but he’s 2/2 undefeated fresh and will be winding up hard late. XENTARO won a C1 1000 at Belmont last prep from the box seat and gets that exact run here.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 8 – 6  

Suggested Bet – HEZANGELIC WIN

RACE 5

LADIES PRO was an ugly watch last start. She went around $1.80 and never got a crack at them in the home straight. William Pike was his own harshest critic and no doubt will be out to make amends and put the filly right back on track for a tilt at the Raconteur, Belmont Guineas and Belmont Oaks over the coming months. Big fan of hers. LIKE CLOCKWORK has seriously impressive point to point acceleration. She’s drawn wide but the colder you rider her, the better she goes so no doubt Cass Martinan will be given a licence to drop her out early and pick a run late. SPELLBORN took full advantage of Ladies Pro’s bad luck last start to record his first Saturday win and is improving at each and every outing. PEACEFUL RULER is 6 weeks between runs so given the 60kg and barrier 11/12 may need the outing.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1    

Suggested Bet – LADIES PRO WIN

RACE 6  

MADAME MAGIC has the white hot Rock ‘N’ The Jam form, has the white hot Holly Nottle aboard and is probably better suited at 1600m than she is at 1800m, as well as enjoying a bit of rain around (soft6 winner at Ascot previously). She has been going well all preparation and think that this race is winnable for her. Just needs an ounce of luck early to land a spot from a slightly tricky draw to be very competitive. FIRST ENCOUNTER wasn’t at his brilliant best last preparation, but his best runs were his fresh runs. I’m a hater of the 1450m Lark Hill trials but he has had two and they’ve been visually impressive. OUR PALADIN AL backs up off 7 days first-up to second-up after going around for a track gallop last weekend. Can be ridden 4 pairs closer this weekend. SOLDANELLE being beaten in that photo is so her.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 2 – 7       

Suggested Bet – MADAME MAGIC EACHWAY

RACE 7

SNITZALATTE takes on the older horses in a 78+ and drops a whopping 8.5kg start to start. She did a great job under the 61kg to get within a length late of Split The Gee at Ascot and now with the monumental weight relief she’s enjoying Holly Nottle can ride her far more aggressively early to hold a position close handy and ensure that the speedy older horses are within striking distance on straightening. She’s flying. DRAKAINA went into the Jungle Mist first-up, no trial off 140 days and beat Cessation to win a Listed Fillies & Mares race at SWP under 55kg. This looks a great starting point for her and the pads are off. THERMOSPHERE LAD carried 58.5 at WFA in the Joey and 55kg at SWP in the Northam Stakes. 3L behind Smooth Chino in a race that rated through the roof – he’ll have fans here. EARTHSTORM is probably the highest rated C1 galloper in WA at m80.  

Numbers: 9 – 7 – 5 – 8       

Suggested Bet – SNITZALATTE WIN

RACE 8

WESTERN EMPIRE v SMOOTH CHINO (or should it be SMOOTH CHINO v WESTERN EMPIRE?) The old bull and the young buck, what a clash. Western Empire’s barrier trials have been just as good as 2025, and 2024, and he is the proven WFA animal who has a barrier draw which will likely allow William Pike to stalk the every move of Austin Galati. Incredible that a 3 year old WATC Derby winner is still racing at the peak of his powers as an 8 year old and his Railway Stakes run as top weight last prep was outrageously good. SMOOTH CHINO has gone to another level this prep. WFA win in the Roma Cup, forgive run in the Quokka and then bounced back in the Northam Stakes with a SWP win in a race where they smashed the clock (5L faster than average). He can absorb pressure and he could lead if they wanted? WEST STAR definitely improved in shades last start but he’s still not at his absolute best. DIAMOND SCENE won the Eurythmic first-up last prep (although had 3x trials).

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 7 – 5

Suggested Bet – WESTERN EMPIRE WIN

Same Race Multi – Western Empire (Top 2) + Smooth Chino (Top 2)

Like the WA Sires Produce a fortnight ago with Beatty and Afireofgidgeecoals this is being built up as a match race between Western Empire and Smooth Chino and so we will again use the Same Race Multi functionality to create a Fixed Odds Quinella. Western Empire a proven WFA beast. Smooth Chino the up and comer taking all before him.

RACE 9

ASTRO WORLD was a really encouraging first-up run for new trainers Grant & Alana Williams. She finished second to stablemate Think Pink Daze (really caught the eye last weekend) and beat home Miss Esprit (ran third in the same race). She’s already Graduation placed and drops 1.5kg into a very evenly graded affair. She’s drawn 15/16 but there’s guaranteed to be a three deep train moving into the race for her. MORE THAN ENUFF sat three deep the trip no cover last start and was brave into second. Unfortunately, he looks destined to park out there again. MACCIATEAU doesn’t stay. Back in grade, back in distance and blinkers re-applied. Don’t forget him. MIDNIGHT STAR has really come of age in the last month. Long time maiden all of a sudden turned winner.

Numbers: 9 – 3 – 6 – 11

Suggested Bet – ASTRO WORLD EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,5,6,7

5,7,9

1,9

3,5,6,7,8,9,11

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