Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Kalgoorlie Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

Race 1

DECORATION looks really well suited here. The fact he’s a proven traveller is a huge bonus (5:3-0-1 at Kalgoorlie) and he’s returned in outstanding order. Loved his barrier trial at Belmont, thought he was really good at an unsuitable 1200m first-up in a 66+ where he was run off his legs from start to finish and then duly saluted third-up in a C5 1400. He’s tough, he’s versatile and he’s in form. Hard to knock. FIFTH ESSENCE sneaks back into a 60+ Graduation after a couple of handy runs in 66+ company against the likes of Searchin’ Times, Silent Diva and Truly Loyal who are lengths better than anything he meets here. BLOOD BROTHER races on Thursday and will have admirers if he backs up. MIDNIGHT STAR gets big weight relief off a solid return for her new trainer.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – DECORATION WIN

Race 2

DIRTY HABITS won a 1700m maiden at Pinjarra in a canter and then had a month’s let up dropping back to 1300m (likely to try and follow the $100,000 Westspeed Platinum Series like his stablemates Bosun and I Love Ya Money). He has been alright since but looks to have lost a bit of that zip and might just be wanting ground now. Being the half-brother to Filthy Habits we’ll take him on trust/breeding that he’ll stick out the 2200. This is a really thin race and a great opportunity for him. ARGYLE STAR won off the 48 hour back-up in 2025. She’s racing Thursday as Josh Brown tries to replicate in 2026. Don’t be surprised to see her run well at a price. THE CANDY KID can roll his way straight to the top and stay out of trouble. Few of these might come under pressure a fair way out and he’ll stick on all day. MUSGRAVE has been a bit one paced this campaign.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – DIRTY HABITS WIN

Race 3

RALLY THE TROOPS was horribly stiff first-up. He went around in a 72+ 1200, ended up last on the inside and then in the home straight when searching for clear running found himself the meat in the sandwich between Lucky I Am and Pond Master and nearly fell. Worth watching the Stewards Vision to see just how precarious it got at the 200m and he went to the line untested. Always wary of the luckless horse being over-backed but given he matched motors with Correct Choice in the 950 trial and is a 66+ 1400 winner previously at Ascot it’s pretty hard to tip past him. EXCELTRAIN is no stranger to Kalgoorlie and he finds a race where he can park and ride, following the every move of likely leader Science Degree. That’s a nice map for him. SCIENCE DEGREE gets in with only 53.5kg and Natika Riordan is riding him perfectly. HEDAWOOD will need some luck at some stage.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – RALLY THE TROOPS WIN

Race 4

BOAB BOY is deep into a preparation but continues to race well. He finished second on back to back occasions in 70+ 1100s behind Saturday Sesh four back and three back before striking a few crippling barriers/maps which put him completely out of contention. Was on an 8 week freshen going into last start, and imagine that was to either: A) get him to this race; or B) get him ready for another tilt at the Leonora, Laverton & Leinster Cups again. Like the booking of CJP and the soft draw for him. RADIANT LIGHT has won a Kalgoorlie maiden and a C3 1400 at Belmont and just looks a different horse when he has clear air in front of him and galloping room. PLEASE MIZTER may be on the 2 day back-up from Thursday. SIMPLY ROYALTY going well but pads on is a red flag.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 9 – 6

Suggested Bet – BOAB BOY EACHWAY

Race 5

MARCOS was truck loaded in betting last start at Belmont and landed the money. There were 2x 3 year olds taking on the older horses in that 60+ Graduation and they were the only two that punters had an interest in. He got the better of sharp sprinting type Pistone in the shadows and they cleared out from subsequent winner So Si God. It’s the right form, is the right placement and hopefully he’s improving his manners with more and more experience. Be a nice horse once (if) he does everything right. TOO DARN STORMY has been screaming out for further. He has raced at what looked an unsuitable 1000m on three separate occasions to start this preparation. Now he can find his feet, balance up and work through his gears. Most winnable race for a while. TREBLE MAKER and STYLIN’ have both lost a couple of lengths from their absolute best of 12 months ago.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – MARCOS WIN

Race 6

KEEP READING hasn’t won a race since May 2024 but after running second to Jokers Grin in a Rock Magic he got to a peak rating of m89 and he’s now back down to an m76. First-up last preparation in a 78+ 1200 was beaten under 1L behind Sky Duke, Cessation (races in a Golden Saddle) and Zephyra beating home Kay Tee Why, Essentric Nature, Silver Eye, Sonoftheboss, Without Reg and Too Dardy! First start new stable, Mitch Pateman flying and worth consideration at a price. TIMELESS GEM trialled in a set of ear muffs and trialled well. He’s a sharp sprinter on his day and no doubt SJ Miller has had this race circled in the calendar for quite a while. He can follow the every move of likely leader Kings Honour. EXCESS BAGGAGE was huge first-up and second-up before failing third-up. Has been given 6 weeks to overcome any minor issues. KINGS HONOUR is a tough nut.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 7 – 2

Suggested Bet – KEEP READING EACHWAY

Race 7

IMMORTAL BLISS looks awfully hard to beat in the second running of the $1,000,000 Golden Saddle. Brilliant first-up in the Beaufine, easy forgive second-up in the Bolton, bolted in third-up in the Belmont Newmarket and then immediately freshened with an eye on this race. His trial was effortless, he won impressively against the pattern in the Ron Sayers at Kalgoorlie in 2025 and looks to have gone to another level for Dan Morton. Was $3.10 All-In Tuesday, was $2.90 first opening Wednesday – jumps odds on? CESSATION looked slick in her 950m trial and her win in the Joey was same conditions: 1200m WFA. She’s a ripper. LORD SHIVA is burning turf at the moment but he’s going to need to come out all guns blazing to cross them from the outside and then put on a show of sustained speed to hold them off late. SPACEWALK has obviously had a lot of issues but he’s a Group 3 winner and Group 2 placed in the East.

Numbers: 5 – 9 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – IMMORTAL BLISS WIN

Same Race Multi – Immortal Bliss (Win) + Cessation (Top 3)

Immortal Bliss has been the talking point for the 2026 Golden Saddle ever since he destroyed them in the Belmont Newmarket. Speed on suits, barrier suits, just looks the winner? Cessation is proven in the 1200m WFA conditions and can stalk Lord Shiva.

Race 8

OPPORTUNISTIC was an alarming late drifter in the Boulder Cup and had his colours lowered at the hands of The Jester’s Son in what was a messy and ugly race. The pressure went on a long way out, there were horses making runs left, right and centre and he was left a sitting duck to be run down. With a 1.5kg swing in the weights he can turn the tables here. THE JESTER’S SON is looking to replicate the deeds of Inject The Venom in 2018 and lift the trophy for the locals. He’s been an incredible acquisition for Helen Harding and her connections and gives them a genuine sniff at a Kal Cup. Would also be huge for ZJP who is riding him brilliantly. CURRIMUNDI ran third in the Cup in 2025 as a m96. He’s now only a m83 rater and is a 2300m winner of a Pinjarra Cup. Bit to like about the old boy. LILLIAN met with big late support in the Boulder Cup but had nothing go her way.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 6 – 8

Suggested Bet – OPPORTUNISTIC WIN

Race 9

KING OF THE TOWN was first-up at 1650m, no trial and had 60.5kg on his back. Obvious query being run down by Saucisson but he should take huge improvement from that outing, drops 4kg in weight and should be able to slide across into a prominent position second-up at 1760. Lightly raced and progressive 4 year old who is already 60+ placed at Ascot. In for a good prep. WILD THINGS was over a month between runs, 2200 back to 1600 and hit the line full of running behind Back To Bondi. No reason she can’t win. JUST YES won his maiden by over 3L at $1.24 but the beaten brigade were battlers. ABISSI comes back in trip to 1760 after an encouraging staying performance at 2100 last start.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – KING OF THE TOWN WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,4,7

5

2,3,6,8

3,4,5




Recent Articles