Races

Scott Embry’s Saturday Port Hedland Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

TAKE THE FIELD finished second to Saam Time Lucky in a 1200m maiden at Belmont Park in August 2025. Quite simply if he runs to that level on the dirt he’ll be hard to beat at his Brett Pope debut. Drawn barrier 2 so must jump cleanly and hold a spot close handy to avoid a face full of kickback. MY TEA ran three consecutive minors last prep at 1100m (Albany), 1300m (Barker) and 1600m (Albany). Drawn wide can be a blessing in disguise for these horses at their dirt debuts. CHANTILLY GIRL led them running in a 0MWLY 1100 at Bunbury in November at 1100m. Shows that speed on the dirt and she’ll win races. COCOON GIRL joins Tom Pike and showed glimpses early in her career as a filly.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 9 – 7

Suggested Bet – TAKE THE FIELD WIN

RACE 2

BORDER CONTROL won five consecutive races last preparation at Port Hedland and that saw him go from a c66 to c85 rater in the space of one single campaign (including winning at Broome over the round). Horses for courses and you’d expect him to bounce back to his best here, even under the big weight impost. HIT THE JACKPOT is the X-Factor in the race. Perfectly in on the 55kg minimum, blinkers reapplied (all wins in shades) and has the speed to lead them running. Wish it was Broome for the 1000 or 1100m starts rather than 1200 at Hedland but still should be in front for a long way. GALAXY AFFAIR has his first start on the dirt but has been running really well for Timo Pike on the grass in town. ROYALZEL won three races in Port Hedland last season.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – BORDER CONTROL WIN

RACE 3 

DYNAMIC ONE put the writing on the wall at his WA Debut. He stepped out off a 59 days freshen over 940m at Lark Hill under 62kg and ran third behind Karnup Queen and Star Power. Gets out to a far more suitable 1300m and if he handles the surface expect he’ll be hard to beat, and a horse to follow into 68+ grade as they step him out over more and more ground. WARBY RANGES won two races at Port Hedland and one race at Roebourne last season and comes into this season with a lower country handicap than what he left (luxurious). Should run well. HEZAZEB is now an 8 year old and hasn’t won a race since he cleaned up the Country Cups series in 2024 but has also dropped from a c80 to a c64. MYSTICAL MAN is no stranger to dirt racing.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – DYNAMIC ONE WIN

RACE 4

TOUSLED CROWN is having her 12th run of the prep and heads up to Port Hedland. She showed three back she can race on speed and that’s a big help having her first dirt outing. She’s 1600m back to 1300, she’s m60+ back into country C3 and it looks like Jason Li has been given a few really nice rides by Brett Pope. OSCAR WINNER was given a big push by trainer Tom Pike at the Lark Hill meeting and he showed a good turn of foot to get through and win. Might have come back bigger and better this season? Just needs to reproduce to go well. LEADING TADDY steps out for the first time for new trainer Dean Cocivera and the once m70 rater is now all the way down to a c62 and can slide into a C3 on the dirt. WHISPERING PHAROAH trialled up quite well at Belmont. Only 2 wins are 2000m+ so might be on a long winded Cups prep.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – TOUSLED CROWN WIN

RACE 5

CALATHINITE led and won to break his maiden at 1100m at Albany and the engagement of 4kg claimer Jason Li by Brett Pope is surely to send him on a jump and run mission at his first start on the dirt? Looks like they’ll go quick here. BIG KARRI hasn’t really fired a shot since he led and won a 1300m maiden at Pinjarra in May 2025 to break his duck, however, recent trial behind Artistry In Motion, Nicciana and Mohegan Ruler at Lark Hill – good, on speed type on the dirt – great. Market watch. QUICK COOKIE is a tough cookie. She’s previously backed up off 24 hours then 7 days then 6 days so Ryan Hill isn’t afraid to throw the kitchen sink at her and those tough types usually measure up on the dirt. GRUNY THREE VOTES can work forward from a wide alley to park up over the speed.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – CALATHINITE WIN

RACE 6

ESQUEL steps out for the first time for new trainer Timo Pike and has really strong form for a race of this nature. Led and won an 1125m maiden at Geelong, led and won a BM64 at Sandown Lakeside at 1200m and then earlier this campaign in January led and won a 62+ 1125 at Geelong. All three wins are jumping, running, leading and running time. That’s a dirt horse if you’ve ever seen one. STAR POWER ran really well at Lark Hill when second to Karnup Queen (races Saturday at Ascot) and beat home Dynamic One (hopefully wins Race 3!). FAMEUX has returned in good order and is 68+ placed to Border Control here at Hedland. PURO is a capable mare on her day. She ran second to Vomo Island in a 58+ at Albany on the grass late last year. Watch.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet – ESQUEL WIN

Quaddie (Race 3 – 6)

1,2,3

1,2,5

1,2,4,6,7

1,2,3,10

Market Market



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