Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Esperance Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

SHOW ON THE ROAD ran third on debut behind Statewide and subsequent winner La Excellence as a 50-1 pop when breezing and fighting hard in the home straight. At his second outing he was only 4.5L off Dominatus (since won a C1, placed in a Challenge and races in the Lex Piper on Saturday at Ascot) as well as Radiant Light and Aussie Reactor who both have ability. First-up, no trial into a maiden on Cup Day. Looks like a target? I HAD A DREAM has been dreaming of winning a maiden for a long time now. As Alex Vlahos said in the call ‘will he ever win one?’ Surely he pinches one eventually? WORKING CLASS GIRL will find this lengths easier than the 3 year old 0MWLY she contested last start. WHY SHE LEFT wasn’t horrible fresh.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 10 – 8

Suggested Bet – SHOW ON THE ROAD WIN

RACE 2

PUISSANCE PLAYBOY is turning into a poor man’s I Had A Dream! Runner-up at four of his last five and in that most recent he looked to have the race at his mercy until Midsummer Romance fended him off. Like the addition of blinkers and hoping that it’s lucky start number 11 for him. Going well enough to win this. REIGN IN THE CASH is his own worst enemy. He has a bad habit of missing away and putting himself into really awkward and vulnerable positions in running. If he steps, he’ll be hard to beat. If he doesn’t, he can still win. MARKET PLAYER trialled up well a few times early days but hasn’t fired a shot at the races in quite a while. QUEEN OF CHAOS is a long (long) time maiden but she’s going along alright.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 7 – 9

Suggested Bet – PUISSANCE PLAYBOY WIN

RACE 3 

HARLEQUIN PRANCER came to Esperance as a 21 start maiden. She’s now had 6 starts for 4 wins and 2 minors and the way she won last start you’d be brave to suggest that won’t be able to beat Zadows Landing again even with a 1.5kg weight swing and a bad barrier! ZADOWS LANDING was simply no match for Harlequin Prancer last start and isn’t as dynamic as he was earlier in the prep. Either the weight is getting to him or he’s coming towards the end of his prep? Still a super season for him and wouldn’t at all surprise to see him bounce back. CAP CAVOUR is starting to slowly but surely iron out a few of his racing manner issues. ARGYLE STAR can sprint well fresh.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – HARLEQUIN PRANCER WIN

RACE 4

GUARD THE MULLAH came down to Esperance into a maiden and won very impressively, to the point where Josh Brown decided to take him back to Perth and race him in a C1 at Belmont. He was a shade disappointing that day but hopefully back down to the Bay of Isles he can reproduce that fresh run and bounce back. CALL TIME won impressively second-up and then did it tough out wide last start and faded back to a near 6L beaten margin. Drawn better and a senior goes on. FAVAIOS is knocking on the door and getting increasingly close to another win. SWIFT STREAKER drops back to 1200m. Thought he was looking for further? Interesting to see how he goes.

Numbers: 4 – 7 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – GUARD THE MULLAH WIN

RACE 5

KEEP ATTACKING is an intriguing runner for new trainer Gary Burger who has a knack with these tried types. It’s easy to forget that he won a 72+ 1200 first-up for Alan Mathews last preparation (albeit on a Heavy8) but he beat Supersession and Desert Nymph (and Shmoov Moova) that day. Only two starts back he’s 3L off Asphalt, September Born and Playin’ It Sweet. None of those types here! Worth a spec. HILTON is an Esperance specialist having won 50% of his starts in the region. Apart from having a crack at the Fitzpatrick Plate and Mt Barker Sprint when out classed he’s been great again this season. DOTHRAKI has been a great horse for David Page’s highly successful Esperance venture and he’ll be right there yet again no doubt. TACITO is going along well.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – KEEP ATTACKING EACHWAY

RACE 6

HARD SOLO resumed in the 3 year old Magic Millions. We’ve seen Champagne Crusader come out and win, we’ve seen Ripper Rupert run credibly behind Watto’s Mark and we’ve seen Desert Life flash home into third at Bunbury in a C3 1000. This looks a nice race for her, especially with only 54.5kg. MEAT PIE ARTIE monstered them last start in a 58+ 1100. He was parked out deep by Austin Galati, ridden like the best horse in the race and duly saluted. Great ride for Ava Catarino and her 2kg claim. DUBAIS DAUGHTER won a C3 at Ascot on Melb Cup Day and it would be a rare occurrence for J.F.L. Brown to leave Esperance Cup Day without a winner. Watch for any money. ROYAL ACCOLADE has gone to a new level this season.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – HARD SOLO WIN

RACE 7

WILD IMAGINATION is a marvel. She’s an 8 year old mare who won over 1100m with 64.5kg earlier in the season and is now a live chance in the Esperance Cup. She was a Premiers Plate winner at Morphetville back in Feb 2025 over 2000m so there’s no issues with her staying credentials and she’s now down to ‘only’ 60.5kg and gets a senior rider back aboard. Think she’s hard to beat at an eachway quote. ARCADIA KNIGHT should have finished a bit closer last start behind Our Paladin Al and Fly With Caution. He didn’t get any luck in the home straight and looked to have a bit under the hood. CJP heads to Esperance for one ride as he and Michael Grantham look to go back to back after winning in 2025 with Stormageddon. TRUE CHANCE has been building nicely. RAZMAS is on the 54 limit and it’s hard to ignore the way that Campbell McCallum’s team is going.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 13 – 11

Suggested Bet – WILD IMAGINATION EACHWAY

RACE 8

MORE LIKELY burst the bubble of Zadows Landing at his most recent outing and while a lot of focus was placed on the beaten favourite you have to respect the manner in which he won. Trevor Tasker has him going really well, Tash Faithfull sticks with him and this race looks just as winnable on paper. STEPCHILD really powered through the line last start and notched his first WA victory. His prior win was in May 2024 at Seymore in a BM58 1400, very similar class to this. MIDNIGHT RUSH and TITAN RISING were both a little below their best last start but considering the sheer volume of winners David Page has trained in the 2025/26 season it’s reasonable to expect they’ll both bounce back!

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – MORE LIKELY WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,2,3

1,2,3,11

1,2

2,4,5

Market Market



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