Races

Scott Embry’s Sunday Mount Barker Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

COSMIC WALTZ went forward two starts back when finishing third to Tidwell and My Tea and then last start drew wide, went back and made a lot of late ground up into third behind Hutamaki and Unfortunate Lad. Steps back out to 1300m, draws to settle much closer and looks to be ready to win now. ZIOLITE won a barrier trial at Lark Hill over 950m and was kept safe in betting fresh. Was beaten a big margin but the winner (and runner-up) go good and expect she’ll only improve here out in trip. HELLO VENETIA gets a senior rider on and the stablemate Pariah’s Thanks who won that race went well enough on Wednesday in a C1. SO MANY STORIES was a forgive fresh.

Numbers: 3 – 8 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – COSMIC WALTZ WIN

RACE 2

LONGTIMEBELIEVER is now a long time maiden but if she can reproduce either of her runner-up performances over 1100 and 1190 from Narrogin three back and two back she would be hard to beat. The Lovin’ On Me, Dancing Spirit, Ray’s Sauce, Pariah’s Thanks race had far more depth than this. RIVER BEAUTY sat wide throughout at Bunbury last start and kept coming behind Sharpassa, Hot Chix Lane and Ziolite (goes around in the opener). May have been beaten an 8L margin but those first two fillies would beat all of these by that same distance. REGGIO CALABRIA actually beat home Longtimebeliever last start and has been honest all prep. MISS ROMPIN gets it soft first-up along the fence.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 1 – 9

Suggested Bet – LONGTIMEBELIEVER WIN

RACE 3

SECRET STONES is hitting form at the right time in his prep to attack this heat of the $100,000 final. Last two wins have been really strong and from the gate should get every opportunity to make it a winning hattrick on his way to Ascot. VOMO ISLAND just likes to be ridden for pure and utter speed. Provided that he isn’t somehow crossed in the first few strides Rosie Mahony should be able to get him out and rolling. He did a great job at Ascot last start and looked to be travelling at a key stage when unable to really extend. Going super. IMPOSING BROOK has turned back the clock and the now 7 year old is racing at the peak of his powers. Must respect anything that Indianna Weinert is taking to the races at the minute. FLYING SOUTH hasn’t been quite as sharp as 2025.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – SECRET STONES WIN

RACE 4

POLYVANOVA just deserves one. Feel like I’ve said that every week for about two months but surely the door opens again soon. Second to Fight in Flight, third to Sir Beat A Lot, second to Pecos and second to Kamakazi Shooter. Seemed to run out the 1850 well enough here two back and without any really intimidating new additions to the Class 2 ranks she goes on top (again). LORDGIVEMESTRENGTH beat her home when they met behind Sir Bear A Lot at Albany over 1600m three back and then finished three quarters of a length behind her in the Sir Beat A Lot race. Clearly there’s not much between them and they’ll both settle up close handy here. HOT CHATTER comes through a C3 behind Oisin, Azabelle and Oisin that had more depth to it than this. Query though on whether she’ll stay? PETITE VITESSE is racing like the more ground the better for her.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – POLYVANOVA WIN

RACE 5

QUEEN OF HAWKS comes back to the short course and that looks the right move from Team Pearce. Led and won over 1100m at Narrogin, sat back and zapped them in a C3 1000 at Bunbury and then headed to Geraldton over 1200m over-raced before hitting a brick wall. The winner of that race (Scurgeofthewest) has won again since and is one of the more progressive horses in Geraldton so happy to follow the form. PRINCE looked like being a great addition to the powerful Sammy Sam Faithfull yard and after being narrowly beaten in a photo finish first-up he duly saluted second-up. Does it tougher here. GOD HAS DRIFTED has had a long time off but has lots of talent and upside. Great to see him back. ORACLE SON is really well placed again by Dylan Bairstow. A C5 winner in a c58+.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – QUEEN OF HAWKS WIN

RACE 6 

WHAT A PRINCE – What A Horse. Second in the Batavia Sprint (2024), winner of the Geraldton Cup (2024), second in a 66+ at Ascot (to now Perth Cup placed Filthy Habits), second in an Albany Cup (2025) and looks right on track to take out the 2026 Mt Barker Cup. He bolted in last start at Albany under 62.5kg and the fact he’s 0/2 at Barker shouldn’t worry anyone, one was at 1100m and the other the Mt Barker Sprint. Looks hard to beat. DUCHEES DEMERIT was second-up at 1850 when running second to War Matters. Drops 3.5kg on that run, Tash sticks and he handles the course well. MR POPCORN is always an X-Factor runner. If they drop anchor he’ll be put into the contest. DEADLY AND FAST wishes there was another lap!

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bet – WHAT A PRINCE WIN

RACE 7

ZING TO WIN is brilliantly placed into another c70+. He’s a 4x winner in this grade previously at Geraldton/Kalgoorlie and after the Rocky Cheung claim he’s got 60kg which is a manageable weight. Looks a great race for him on paper. BOAB BOY was double nominated for a Westspeed race at Ascot (drew 1) and this 70+ at Barker. New trainer Raquel Williams has chosen this event and his grass form prior to heading to Leonora / Leinster was good enough to be competitive. VILLAGE GIRL was only 1.75L off Oxbridge and Flick The Switch last start and now has winkers on, instead of blinkers. STORM COMMANDER beat her home in that event and was over a month between runs (with a trial in between). Has been a consistent performer across his entire career.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet – ZING TO WIN TO WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,7

2,3,4

1,5,7

1,2,5,6

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