Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

DAWN DANCER is Hong Kong apprentice Jefferson Tsang’s first Saturday ride and on form should be very close to being a winner. He’s push button, straight to the top roll along and use his high cruising speed to advantage and play a game of ‘catch me if you can’. He was run down by Boy Crush last start who more or less tracked his every move and expect that will be the same map / shape afforded to main danger LUNA WILL DO who caught the eye on debut behind He’s A Machino before jumping odds on against sharp juvenile Achy Breaky. 52.5kg after the Nottle claim and looked ready in her 400m dash up. SUPERSMASH is enjoying being ridden for speed and will also settle right up in the firing line. ANACONDA JONES just looks destined to do it tough from the draw?

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet – DAWN DANCER WIN

RACE 2

RIPPER FAROOQ is certainly no star but he does look like getting a really nice run here. Saturday Sesh / Let’s Talk / Lucky I Am / Fantaxtic / Cherly’s Shout are all capable of showing a bit of early dash and vying for the lead and that should allow him to park in behind and enjoy an economical run. Very even contest and the kind of race he could pinch without surprising. LUCKY I AM is a high speed horse but for whatever reason she’s never really been able to prove herself at 1000m? She’s 0/11 at the short course and 4/14 at 11-1200. The market has been attacking her all preparation but she’s clearly not going at her absolute best. Gives 110%, will be right there in the finish but has been vulnerable this campaign. WICKED VENOM finds a new home and a new hoop. He’ll sit last and try to zap them. FANTAXTIC may need to burn the candle at both ends from the draw.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 5 – 6

Suggested Bet – RIPPER FAROOQ EACHWAY

RACE 3

POND MASTER will either end up leader’s back or three back the fence and from either of those positions he should go well. He was astutely found by punters first-up at what most thought was an unsuitable 1000m but was jumping out of the ground late to score. Tracks up along the fence and will be strong late. GINNIVAN has really bounced back to form this campaign after looking a bit in the wilderness over the last 12 months. Since winning a 72+ 1000 he has finished second on two separate occasions to flying mare Haida Gwaii in an 84+ Jolly Beggar and a SWP Nicopolis. No surprise to see him run well in the Jolly Beggar at 1000 but for him to go down fighting at the end of 1200m in the Nicopolis was nearly career best? On the 7-day spin, back in grade, just wary that 59.5kg at the end of 1200m could be telling. COUNTRY GOD was only fair first-up. HEY PINO sits back and has one last crack.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – POND MASTER EACHWAY

RACE 4

ROYAL TORONADO gets a 2kg weight swing and 200m extra ground to try and turn the tables on TOO DARDY. Expect Chris Parnham will likely look to follow Shaun O’Donnel wherever he goes in running and bank on having the stronger miler underneath him over the concluding stages. As we saw last prep when he went from 1200 to 1800 first-up to second-up he can come on quickly into a campaign and this looks a really suitable race for him on paper. TOO DARDY is looking to win a fourth straight race. He won powerfully at 1650 in the Blue Spec Stakes so there’s absolutely no reason why he can’t win again. SEARCHIN’ TIMES is the X-Factor horse. Risks burning up to 15 ratings points if she wins. ARCADIA PARK is the winner of an Aquanita Stakes, Belmont Classic and Bunbury Cup. Classy type resuming off two solid trials.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – ROYAL TORONADO WIN

RACE 5

PIN DEEP has enjoyed a great preparation and seems to go best (these days) when he is drawn to get a soft run tucked away in behind the speed. Jefferson Tsang doesn’t ride like most apprentices – he’s quite happy to sit off the speed and watch the race unfold and if Kings Honour and Niccimota pair off in front and set a strong tempo then he should enjoy the run of the race. NICCIMOTA was all the rage last start and then missed the kick. She went from $2.60 to $51 in the milliseconds after the gates opened and from there was never going to win. GALWAY SHAWL is a lightly raced mare with an exciting turn of foot late in her races. KINGS HONOUR has won two in a row and turned back the clock. Tough old campaigner who can absorb pressure in his races.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 9 – 3

Suggested Bet – PIN DEEP WIN

RACE 6

TRULY LOYAL is highly progressive. He won a maiden first-up at 1200m, he won a 60+ Graduation second-up at 1200m and now third-up steps up in grade again into a 66+ 1400. Bob Peters has done this with great success over many years, going continually up in grade to stay on the 54kg minimum and this looks another picture perfect set up for him. He’s got gears to work through, he’s got a barrier to work with and expect he’ll continue his way onwards and upwards. SILENT DIVA has been a wonderful acquisition for her new set of connections and matched motors with Searchin’ Times last start. If Searchin’ Times comes out and wins (or even runs top 3) in the Tabtouch Stakes then you’ll become increasingly interested in her at nearly $5. GODS GATE gets weight relief and can roll forward. REDBACK FLYER won first-up last prep off similar trials.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – TRULY LOYAL WIN

RACE 7

PISTONE looks a nice horse. Purchased in the 2025 Durrant Reduction Sale by Mitch Pateman for a meagre $7,500 and banked $23,400 winning on debut (as well as being $6 into $2.60 in betting). He steps straight into a 60+ Graduation, he maps to roll forward, potentially even straight to the top, and from there he takes serious running down. Was a real arrogance to his debut win off the back of a slick barrier trial. MIND FIELD looms as the obvious danger off the back of a wildly impressive trial and strong race return (without much luck). The Truly Loyal form is strong form and his regular rider returns to the saddle. SO SI GOD is a bigger style mare who likely appreciates room to move. MARCOS is very raw and wayward.

Numbers: 12 – 7 – 9 – 11

Suggested Bet – PISTONE WIN

RACE 8

DOUBLE THE FUN has been a different horse since the blinkers went on. Shades on three back – won, stepped to a staying trip two back – didn’t run the trip, and then back in distance last start was nosed out by Yes I Know. He’s going really well, he should get a nice run midfield with cover from the draw and he’s eachway. Plenty to like. COSMIC WALTZ is turning into a real bridesmaid. Second to Buderim, second to Cinque Stelle, second to Silent Diva, second to Streak of God. The last three runs are easily good enough to win this and justify favouritism, but you have to be wary of horses who seem to find one better each time. BACK TO BONDI and PURE MAC are both last start midweek winners who can roll forward and be put into the contest. Both are still improving with racing.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – DOUBLE THE FUN EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,3,4,6,9

9

7,12

1,2,4,5,9

Same Race Multi

Tabtouch Stakes

Too Dardy (Top 3) + Searchin’ Times (Top 3)

Too Dardy is going too well not to run another big race here as he looks for a fourth consecutive feature title, while newcomer Searchin’ Times has a real X-Factor about her and a clear will to win. Tricky little race so playing it safer with both to run Top 3.

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