Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

LUNA WILL DO won her barrier trial by over 5L leading into her debut where she struck an extremely deep 2 year old race on debut that contained Perth Stakes runner-up Hes A Machino as well as mid-week winner Anaconda Jones, rivals Levati Dimezzo and Mystic Smile and encouraging debutante Mark The Sky. Drawn better, settles closer and finished stronger than anything in that race, as well as adding Pike to the arsenal. Gets every chance. LEVATI DIMEZZO really impressed at trials, stretching out nicely late to win by a near 6L margin and ran well in that key form race, however, this looks a really sticky draw? ACHY BREAKY ran well on debut behind Maria Lucia, Daryte and Yamanex before being held up at crucial stages at her second start. FARNOVA is jump and run and the Mitch Pateman team is humming: 7 winners from his last 16 runners.

Numbers: 10 – 2 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – LUNA WILL DO WIN

RACE 2

CRUISE TO RIO is deep into her preparation, having her 11th run of the campaign and brings alternate form through the Great Southern in Albany, but think that she can measure up here and has been screaming out for 1400. She’s had a consistent preparation and again finished off well in a c70+ behind Headem last start. There’s no stars in this and she should be able to hold a midfield position here. Worth consideration in a wide open event. MOHEGAN RULER is the deserving favourite off the back of a pair of hot trials and an encouraging return behind Changing Guard and Vandoula Jet. He is always going to get back in his races so he’s always a touch vulnerable. CHERYLS SHOUT took full advantage of the on-speed pattern at Northam last start and they’ve avoided the temptation of the $100,000 Regional Final to start here. GIBRALTAR GOLD has been attacking the line hard in Kal.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet – CRUISE TO RIO EACHWAY

RACE 3

LIKE CLOCKWORK was a tough watch last week. She and Ladies Pro were the two runners that every punter had their eyes on in running and ultimately, they went for the same run at the 250m before Pike went back inside heels to victory and Cassey Martinan was forced to take hold and ease the filly out of contention. Went to the line hard held and on the 7 day spin, in clear galloping room gets her chance to let rip and remind us quickly of just how exciting she is. The market will likely side with OURGIRLCANRUN who is a speed machine. She was scratched on 2nd May at Ascot with a hoof abscess and now consequentially heads into this brilliant 3 year old Plate 6 weeks between runs. She can either cross Mr Karadec or park to his outside, prefer to cross but not essential. VATICAN STORM went two for two last preparation and trialled super. He’s a real X-Factor. MR KARADEC trialled like a beast.

Numbers: 7 – 6 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet – LIKE CLOCKWORK WIN

RACE 4

HOT AND HIGH just continues to get the job done as she strides towards being 5/5 undefeated here. First-up returned a career high figure in the 66+ 1200 from the breeze and no doubt had plenty of improvement still to come. Engaging the 2kg claim of Holly Nottle keeps her at the same weight, in the same grade and gives her the best chance at returning the same result. FAST HARRY is potentially the most talented horse she has raced against so far in her short career and the way he’s been trialling (along side and as well as Western Empire) he’s a genuine threat. Won his way through the grades impressively last campaign and has real upside and talent. Game on. TIMELESS GEM was huge last start and drops back in grade, however, this is the strongest 66+ you’ll see all season. HEY PINO returned brilliantly.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 4 – 8

Suggested Bet – HOT AND HIGH WIN

RACE 5

RIVA AQUARAMA is nicely placed into a 60+ Grad. Finished less than 1L off Split The Gee and Snitzalatte in a 3 year old Handicap fresh and now only rises half a kilo taking on the older horses in a race with far less depth to it. Should get a lovely run from the draw and has nice point to point acceleration when saved up. Fellow 3-year-old LANFRANCO went from a maiden to a C1 to a Saturday winner in the single preparation of racing and beat her home in the Lee Steere Classic at their only meeting. Kind of horse who could continue to work his way through the grades over winter, and even test the waters in a few of the Listed Belmont features. Nice starting point for him. HEDAWOOD was ridden to the track conditions at Ascot last start, better suited sitting off them. HURRICANE HARLEY has shades on first time and gets Holly Nottle back aboard.

Numbers: 11 – 4 – 8 – 9

Suggested Bet – RIVA AQUARAMA WIN

RACE 6

LORD SHIVA is a fast horse who they are letting run, and it’s paying serious dividends. Since joining Mitchell Pateman’s yard he has won three from five and in his most recent win he smashed the clock, going 4.5L faster than C3 average. Rises up from a C3 into a 66+ but gets 2kg weight relief and Holly Watson knows him inside out. With Castle Road sitting these days doesn’t look to be anything with any interest in pressuring him and from the front he’s clearly the one to beat. XENTARO then becomes the logical danger off his back. Last Saturday he drew barrier 1, tracked up behind a hot tempo and zapped them late. 7 days later it’s the exact same set-up and he’s 2/2 on the back-up. SUNNY HONEY was really good behind the speedy Desert Whisper last start but again draws poorly. CHARINO is destined to do it tough.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – LORD SHIVA WIN

RACE 7

GI GI POPS is bursting to win a race. So far this preparation she has finished second to Thermosphere Lad (beating home Sir Dreamalot), finished second to Sir Dreamalot (beating home Malletier) and most recently pushed undefeated filly Hot And High to half a length. 66+ back to 60+ Graduation and will put herself right in the contest. Hard to knock her. AWESOME BOY finally gets to a 1400. He is a Saturday winner, and 72+ and 66+ placed at this distance. Great placement back into a Grad and should he jump he can land a lovely position close handy here. KARNUP QUEEN ran a fast finishing second to Mississippi Dawn this distance/grade last start and draws to get an identical run in transit. THINK PINK DAZE beat home subsequent plunge winner Astro World and then really caught the eye in that same race when darting up the fence into fourth through heavy traffic. Flying.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 16 – 15

Suggested Bet – GI GI POPS WIN

RACE 8

RAINLINE makes a lot of sense. First-up she changed up her normal racing pattern entirely when leading and winning by 4L in a canter and then second-up she got to the line well on a leader dominated program on opening day at Northam behind Cherlys Shout (who bypasses this race). Third-up she gets to 1400m and last preparation she won a 60+ 1400 under William Pike. Drawn the best of the fancies and maps to get all the favours. Logical starting point. GOD HAS DRIFTED is yet to race beyond 1200 and is effectively 38 days between runs after dumping the rider out of the gates last start, however, he’s a winner and he runs for Natika Riordan. STYLIN’ is winning with ease and arrogance on the Goldfields. The draw looks horrible (20/20) but there’s always a fat three and four deep line in these races. APPARATUS has jumped out of the ground at his last two. Blowout chance.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 15 – 10

Suggested Bet – RAINLINE WIN

Same Race Multi- Rainline (Top 2) + Stylin’ (Top 4)

Rainline looks destined to jump favourite with the booking of William Pike and is a previous 60+ 1400m winner with the Wizard aboard. Returned in good order and maps a treat. Stylin’ will be hoping there’s a three and four deep line to bring her into the race from barrier 16/16 but has dominated Kalgoorlie recently.

RACE 9

BATTLE COMMANDER was 77 days between runs last start in a 72+ 1400 where he sat three quarters of a length in front of Malletier the entire race in possibly the worst position in racing and still managed to somehow hold on and run third behind Wineaclocksumwhere and Timeless Gem. The first 800m of that race was run 10L faster than average, they were gassed and he was nothing short of brave to fight on for as long as he did. Think he crosses and if he does he’s in front for a long way. MISSISSIPPI DAWN got under the radar fresh wit the claiming apprentice aboard. Won well and is even better suited at a mile. POND MASTER is a query at the trip but has been going better than numerical form suggests. FIFTH ESSENCE lands a lovely spot close handy.

Numbers: 1 – 14 – 4 – 8

Suggested Bet – BATTLE COMMANDER EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

3,6

1,3,5,15,16

1,2,10

1,2,4,8,14

Market Market



Recent Articles