Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Dongara Preview

RACE 1

WEATHER QUEEN won on debut at Narrogin by an extending 3L margin. The wheels fell off after that and now she’s 58 days between runs. Hoping that new trainer Peter Moses has got her back. RODNEY OH RODNEY pulled off a huge plunge at Pingrup when $9.50 into $1.90. He’s quick. STRUCK BY LUCK attacks this off 6 weeks and Sean Rains does target these races with great success. SOLARIS GLOW is also pretty speedy.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – WEATHER QUEEN WIN


RACE 2

TALKING HEADS is a capable Dongara style galloper. One thing you want at Dongara is speed and he’s got it. Rosie Mahony takes over and she’s a very good front running rider so expect he’ll be used for speed early and looks to burn across from the wide draw. If he gets to the breeze, he can break a long run of outs. ARCHER COUNTY is 6 weeks between runs for high strike rate trainer Kevin Mahoney. Must respect everything from his yard. SPIRIT MAN was much better last week at Geraldton and backs up again. SMOKEY MOUNTAIN isn’t racing at his best.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – TALKING HEADS WIN


RACE 3

ONE GINGER FOX is speedy and think that both back to 1200m, blinkers on and off to Dongara are all positive moves from Robert Matthews. She finished third to Blazen Star and dominant subsequent winner Gold Chain two back. Forget last start – this is a good race for her regardless of the barrier. COZZIES CHOICE looks one of the better chances for 4kg claimer Bailey Webster to ride his first winner. Would be fitting that it’s for his boss Adam Durrant too. OPAL NERO an improver. FLASH INVADER has shown glimpses.

Numbers: 10 – 11 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – ONE GINGER FOX WIN


RACE 4

ROCKSTAR STATUS resumed first-up, no trial off 156 days at Narrogin over 1190m in December 2023 and won convincingly. Actually won three races that preparation and then headed up North where she didn’t handle the racing. Big watch here first-up. FINANCE LEGEND hasn’t fired a shot recently but if he crosses he’ll go well. MAGICAL GEM should run a big race here with no weight on his back. DIRTY CHAI has the best race form but she wasn’t stretching out earlier this campaign before being moved on.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – ROCKSTAR STATUS WIN


RACE 5

STRIKING FELLA was recently acquired through the Inglis Online Sale and is proving a very astute purchase. He won the Pingrup Cup and then finished second last week in the Mingenew Cup and now attacks the Dongara Cup. He can sustain a run, he can carry weight and he’s racing with great consistency. ARNIE’S BOY finished third in that same event and gets 1.5kg to try and turn the tables on him. KENTUCKY BLUE can roll to the top and control. UNI QUEEN had excuses last weekend at Ascot and finds this much easier.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – STRIKING FELLA WIN


RACE 6

ROMMELS ANGEL is first-up for Carey Martin. With any horses first-up at a Picnic Meeting like Dongara the market will tell the tale. If she’s popular in betting – jump on the bandwagon, if she’s drifting – abandon ship. BITOVEMU is a veteran 9 year old mare but she’s still running consistent minors here and there. Have to admire it. BERRY BERRY GOOD bolted in at Pingrup two starts ago. UNDERCOVER SNIPER was beaten 11L first-up, led and won a C1 1100 second-up and then wasn’t sighted last weekend when beaten 19L. All or nothing commodity.

Numbers: 10 – 2 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – ROMMELS ANGEL WIN


Quaddie (Race 3 – 6)

10,11

1,6,8

1,2,3,4,5,7

1,2,6,7,10

Market Market