Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Geraldton Preview

RACE 1

LIBERTY DAME had two runs in Geraldton earlier this year in April when second behind Celebrity Prince (now running around on a Saturday at Ascot) and First Contact (since won a C1 and races at Albany on Thursday). First-up no trial is an unknown but she shouldn’t be a maiden long at all. STAY ASTERN has run some nice races for Julia Martin since arriving in the region and at the last meeting Julia trained a treble and Austin Galati rode a double. Big respect. THE COLLECTOR joins the yard of Gordon Spowart after not living up to metro expectation for Simon Miller. Nice horse for the region. BE MY BELLE did win a 950m Lark Hill trial and then ran into a really good one in Justabittapress.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 4 – 9

Suggested Bet – LIBERTY DAME WIN


RACE 2

STRUCK BY LUCK was only getting going late on debut suggesting that the step up to 1400m would be to his liking. Sean Rains does a super job with a small team and Wayne Davis is fitting in nicely into the Geraldton racing scene. Natural improver at his second outing. DREAMTIME JEAN resumed at Bunbury over 1400m when beaten narrowly into third behind Playing Quest and Omerta Grace. He now goes from a Bunbury maiden to a Geraldton maiden and drops 1.5kg after the Rosie Mahony claim. With any luck from a horror draw he should go close. QUEEN NARDI has shown enough and has no weight after the ZJP claim. GONDRINKIN went close two starts back at York.

Numbers: 8 – 6 – 11 – 5

Suggested Bet – STRUCK BY LUCK WIN


RACE 3 

WESTOZI looks a special in the third. Won a 70+ 1400m two starts ago and then was narrowly run over by tough mare Patchwork in a race where they went 6L faster than average. From that event we’ve seen Material Witness run second in town at Belmont and Westozi looks ready for the staying trip. 60.5kg is an ask but he’s a winner with 60 previously. Could be a Geraldton Cup horse with the right prep. BLACKWATER BAY is the class runner but he’s 6 weeks between runs at 1900 and might just need the outing. UNI QUEEN can lead and control. FLOAT OUR BOAT was a bit unlucky last start Sunday at Pinjarra when held up on straightening.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – WESTOZI WIN


RACE 4

WHAT A PRINCE had his first start at Geraldton for Barry Newnham when winning a C2 with 62kg by over half a length. Comes into this a month between runs after being scratched on 18 November but provided the same horse turns up then with 2.5kg off his back and an inside barrier to work with he can start to make his way through the grades in the region. SPIRIT MAN and BOLD PROPHET both won on the same program and while not exactly given glowing reports in a post-race interview they’re likely to win their fair share of races this preparation. Nothing beats an honest review. Love it. ALL BRAVE is first-up and went two from two to start his career.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet – WHAT A PRINCE WIN


RACE 5

BUDGERIGAR won a 1413 58+ with 59kg last start under Luke Campbell when heavily supported at the short odds. 10 days later he finds himself in a 70+ for the first time but he also has a senior rider going on and carries only 54kg. From the inside gate he should get an identical run and if the gaps appear for him again he should go close to making it an identical result. ALBERT hasn’t had much go right since he put a few wins together at York and Geraldton (x2). TURBO POWER won last start and while he rises up again in weight he’s really competitive at this level. PASSPORT was the target of smart money last start and ran a much improved race.

Numbers: 7 – 5 – 1 – 4

Suggested Bet – BUDGERIGAR WIN


RACE 6

COLOUR ME QUICK looks ready to win. She was three deep the trip two starts ago when brave into fourth and then she was no better than three and four deep last start when matching motors with Mombasa for much of the home straight. All of a sudden she’s drawn barrier 1 to get a far more economical run in transit and could even show enough toe to hold up. Even from leader’s back she’s capable. JURENA GOLD needs the race to be run to suit and needs to conditions to allow them to make ground. JUAN WON ONE is building towards another win and Willie Parker’s team are going well. MOONIEMIA showed some genuine toughness last start. Will be winning more races.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – COLOUR ME QUICK EACHWAY


RACE 7

LA PATRONA was enormous last start. She was no better than three and four deep chasing the speed and somehow was still there with 100m to go. Was gunned down by First Contact late but with Lisa Staples going on and a much better barrier draw she has to be one of the main players in this. BIDAYA is a former Godolphin mare who won a 1200m maiden last preparation after being brought across to WA. John Reynolds is lethal first-up no trial so keep very safe with Tash Faithfull on. SAFE HUSTLE won his maiden like a horse who would be making his way through the lower classes. MENINA is going better than numerical form suggests.

Numbers: 4 – 10 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – LA PATRONA WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,2,3,4,5

7

1,2,4,5,6,8,10

4,5,10

Market Market