Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Geraldton Preview

RACE 1

RAPTOR NOT was beaten nearly 5L on debut at 1100m and then improved second-up at 1300 when beaten just over 2.5L behind Bysin, Non Reflective and Our Mane Man. Heads up to Geraldton into a country maiden and Freddie Kersley is riding 54kg on a Sunday afternoon, so you’d hope for him there’s a winner or two amongst his book. Lots of these have struggled for a long time and she’s lightly raced without convictions. DIVER DAN has had four runs since arriving in WA and is knocking on the door. Should roll to the top and stay out of trouble. IL BELLO BEALS is a long (long) time maiden and is drawn tough. CLASSIC TURN can sprint well fresh.

Numbers: 12 – 3 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – RAPTOR NOT WIN


RACE 2

NORTHERN DIAMOND hadn’t raced for 670 days when resuming at Geraldton and had no luck when wide throughout. She was beaten a long way (10+ lengths) but no doubt needed the hit out and will only improve for the run. She was also first-up, no trial so hopefully here from a far better draw we can see a better version of her. She placed in back to back 1300 and 1400m maidens in her initial prep as a 3 year old filly so here’s hoping she can return to somewhere near that level. FUTURE REVOLUTION won a 950m barrier trial at Lark Hill back in March and looked good. Hasn’t taken that to the races so far unfortunately. THE STALAGMITE dropped back to 1100m mid-prep last time out and wasn’t suited. ELITE ENOUGH was kept safe in betting in a few races early in her career.

Numbers: 7 – 4 – 9 – 11

Suggested Bet – NORTHERN DIAMOND WIN


RACE 3

ANDERSHINE is an improving type. It’s not easy to step from a maiden into a C1, carry 2kg extra and win back to back races but a fair few of these have been caught in this grade for a long while and he does seem to be putting it all together slowly but surely. EXTRA ZERO could lead this race if they wanted to. Big step out in trip from a pair of 1100m contests so far this campaign but he did break through (finally) when he lasted raced at 1600. SECRETCHINO is certainly no world beater but Tash Faithfull is worth lengths on these types of horses and she’s rock hard fit. SUNDAY MASS is E1 but if she gains a start she’ll be on the 4 day back-up.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 8 – 13

Suggested Bet – ANDERSHINE WIN


RACE 4

PRO AUSSIE is making his WA debut for new trainer Tony Scally who has been in such good form for a prolonged period of time. Going at 19.6% over the last 365 days and at 20% with his first-up runners, so hopefully this newcomer to the region can park on the speed and give this a shake. Consistent type coming out of Victoria and first-up last prep off 170 days ran second under 61kg at 1300m. ARCHENEMY gets some well deserved weight relief here with the 3kg claim for Tara Atherden. Got a mile off them last start and did a good job to close the margin to less than 3L and now has blinkers reattached. TRULY GALLANT really hasn’t had much go his way this prep. AMARLIE MISS is attacking the line well.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 10

Suggested Bet – PRO AUSSIE WIN


RACE 5

FORBIDDEN APPLE is flying for Allan Hughes. She had a month’s freshen heading back down from Carnarvon and then so far this season has won two from four and is displaying a sustained turn of foot. She’s yet to win past 1600m but the way she’s racing you’d be brave to suggest that she can’t see the trip out. Just needs to find the right back to follow in the three deep line. MISTRESS OF WAR is a wonderfully consistent mare once she finds some form and last time out at Ascot she gave a fair bit of cheek in a much improved performance third-up. IHTSAKING didn’t race for 882 days. Both runs since his return have had merit. VIVAROCK drops 1.5kg here and showed first-up that he’s in for a great preparation.

Numbers: 6 – 3 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – FORBIDDEN APPLE WIN


RACE 6

IN SITU is a talent and this race does lack any real speed or pressure which is an ideal scenario for him stepping up again in grade. He’s the kind of horse who could well go close in the Final of this Regional Series at Ascot and the scary part about him is that he’s still getting better and better with racing. Should be hard to run down. LUCKEE FLORAN rises a whopping 8kg start to start but he also drops back in grade after knocking off Bolta (tough photo finish for favourite punters). He’s flying. SCURGEOFTHEWEST is a seriously talented horse but he’s got a tricky barrier and a lot of weight. Must respect his class but it does look a tough set up off a slow tempo. CHAMPEZE has returned in outstanding order.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – IN SITU WIN


RACE 7 (Best Bet)

TIMELESS GEM looks an ideal Batavia Sprint horse. He ran second in the Ron Sayers Memorial first-up, was within 3.5L of a flying Rock Fest second-up in a high rating 66+ and then most recently ran second to Cinque Stelle beating home horses like In Confidence, Like Clockwork and September Born. He’s drawn to get the run of the race and he looks really nicely placed and suited. BOLTA looks the best of the local hopes and provided he isn’t caught three deep early he looks like a threat to the favourite. MAGICAL SEQUENCE is a winner and she knows how to get the job done. She’s sharp enough to win this fresh. KINGS HONOUR went around at WFA in a Golden Saddle and wasn’t disgraced beating half the field home.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – TIMELESS GEM WIN


RACE 8

GYPSY RHYME looked home first-up until she got the staggers in the last 50m. Regular rider Laqdar Ramoly on second-up, fitter for the run having returned off 181 days without a barrier trial and should safely get across into a prominent position throughout. Ideally she’ll cross to the fence but she’s still capable form the breeze. SETAGAYA resumed in a C1 at Belmont and after being awkwardly away was bumped and then never in the contest. That race contained Unimando, Secret Planet and Quedjinup who are lengths better than these.  CATCH CARTER is always thereabouts but the map looks tough? SATIN BOW was luckless in the Gypsy Rhyme race last start after a solid maiden win fresh.

Numbers: 2 – 14 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet – GYPSY RHYME WIN


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,3,6,7

1,3,4

5,6,7

2,14