Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Geraldton Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

BELVEDERE BOY was crunched in betting on debut at York off the back of two Geraldton trial wins and was never in the hunt. Settled rearward (and wide) and was extremely green. Not seen again until resuming at Carnarvon on the dirt and was a monstrous run in defeat to get within 3L of the eventual winner. Back to the grass and worth another go. Clearly above average ability but also clearly above average quirks. GREAT RECEPTION was popular on debut at Bunbury and looked a bit lost in front. There’s been a winner (Spirited Strike) and a place getter (Vivalda) through that form already. ACOUSTIC BUBBLES was 3.5L off Long Service Leaf, Conchetta’s Dream, Fila Mila and subsequent winner October Rox on debut. CANTILEVER will only improve with more ground.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet – BELVEDERE BOY WIN

RACE 2

HARD SOLO did a massive job as a 2 year old filly to endure 9 runs across two preparations. She finished second to Fiery Spark at Bunbury, third to God’s Rapture and Wonderfully Made at Ascot and second to Snitzalatte at Ascot. That form is super for an all age country maiden and she gets in with only 54kg. BUSY FINGERS has trialled well twice over 950m at Lark Hill in preparation for his return to racing and in the most recent trial he was second to Galway Shawl who was highly impressive when winning on debut. BIG BOPPER was the target of huge backing on Opening Day but had nothing left in the tank at the 200m. IL BELLO BEALS promised to win a maiden all last season and went frustrating close a few times.

Numbers: 11 – 2 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – HARD SOLO WIN

RACE 3

NEVER SOBER again would prefer if this was 1600 rather than 1400m but it’s hard to ignore how well he went last start behind Divine Inanna and Amarlie Miss. The race was set up for something to swoop over the top of the two leaders and he was the last on speed horse left standing. Would love a scenario where Rocky held the fence. MASTER ALEX had his first start for Meryl Hayley and ran well into third behind Thehorseman and Luckee Floran. Better suited at 1400m (distance of his last two Geraldton wins). SANABAEAU can be hit and miss but on her day she’s as good as any of these. KEYTRADE will win a race in this grade this season.

Numbers: 7 – 2 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – NEVER SOBER WIN

RACE 4

DE GRANDHOMME was allowed to stride by a junior rider at Lark Hill trials and set a frenetic tempo in front and never stopped. First-up in a C1 1000 at Belmont he finished off well after doing it tough and finished third behind Surfside Session (races at Ascot in a Westspeed Platinum). Carries the same weight in a country C2 and looks hard to hold out late. STRYKER’S GAL won two races at Kalgoorlie in June/July and now resumes without a trial on the Crayfish Coast for new trainer Tony Scally. She’s a genuine threat. TWELVEUNDER was well thought of fresh but couldn’t absorb the mid-race pressure. PLAYFUL STAR hasn’t been far off them in metro C1s and then didn’t seem to handle Toodyay.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 6 – 9

Suggested Bet – DE GRANDHOMME WIN

RACE 5 

SNIPPY WHICH looked extremely well placed on Opening Day in the 70+ 1113 and now second-up at 1200m rises 1.5kg and but looks really hard to beat again. Last three wins are all at Geraldton and he’s the kind of horse that you can track up three back the fence and then bank on his turn of foot to get him out of traffic in the home straight. THEHORSEMAN had won four races for Neville Parnham, all at 1400m. For Allan Hughes to get him to win first-up, no trial at 1113m says he’s in for a massive season. PRINCE RAGNAR gets a 1kg weight swing to try and hold out Snippy Which. BIGDAYONIT may want 1400.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bet – SNIPPY WHICH WIN

RACE 6

LOVA SESSION has been a bit of a tease across her career: 33 – 3 wins and 17 minors but she’s also bounced between 60+ and 66+ grade across the last two seasons. These 58+ races look a great option for a mare like her and after the Bailey Webster claim she’s well weighted. DIVINE INANNA looked the winner a long, long way from home last start. She’ll get a very similar run in transit, the only query being 1400m back to 1200m. COLLECTIVE was one of the finds of the season last year and can continue to go won with it. LUCKEE FLORAN has been a different horse since the blinkers were applied four starts back (3 wins and a minor).

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – LOVA SESSION WIN

RACE 7

PATS LAST BANG really wants to get on with the job. She was caught wide early last start and nearly pulled Madi Derrick out of the saddle to find the front. Interestingly, the day she led and won a C1 at Pinjarra she ran the first 700m 7.5L faster than average. Might be a case of let her run so she doesn’t pull? Catch me if you can? AMARLIE MISS put in her best run in over 12 months first-up behind Divine Inanna. She drops back in grade from a 58+ into a C2, draws to get the run of the race and should be hard to hold out. BATTLE ON BATTLER returned to the grass and just kept coming under pressure in a race that turned into a real grind over the last 600m. BLACK SANDS is far better suited at both this distance and back into this grade.

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – PATS LAST BANG WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,3

2,3,4

1,2,3,4,5,6

5,8

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