Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Albany Preview

RACE 1

CANDLELIGHT SHERIF went from 1200 to 1600 first-up to second-up and was only beaten 2.5L behind Hero Hunter, Bohemian Diamond (progresses to the Ascot 1000 Guineas) and Simply (goes around even money at Bunbury on Wednesday). Looks the right form and from barrier 1 he’ll get a soft run throughout. PRIVATE SAPLING went close to knocking off subsequent 60+ Graduation winner Alaskan two back. Didn’t get into the race last start. BELLE NOIRE was a big improver last start. WHOS ME DADDY has shown glimpses.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet – CANDLELIGHT SHERIF WIN


RACE 2 

WARRALEA LASS went around in 3x 2yo Saturday events as a juvenile and then 2x 3 year old races back in August. This is the first time she’s lobbed into a maiden and it’s an Albany maiden with 55kg. She’s drawn barrier 8 which is undeniably awkward but her recent 2.5L barrier trial win was strong and the stable/jockey are both going super. Expect she can overcome the barrier hurdle. PRINCE VICTORY ran well on debut. Still very green and raw but there’s some ability hidden under the quirks. SECRET SHE KEEPS is trying hard and so is Jordan Rolfe travelling her widely. SHOOTING KONTIKI ran well three back behind One Punch.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet – WARRALEA LASS WIN


RACE 3

PRIZE PURSUIT is always competitive in these c70+ races. It was hard to miss his trial (as good as Sisu Warrior who ran second to Ice Pick Nick and beat home Live To Tell on Saturday) and he can be forgiven for a first-up flop (did the same last campaign). CATCH THESE HANDS is a classy animal when right. Two preparations ago Steve Wolfe kicked him off in a 58+ 1230 at Albany (9 March 2023) and he was backed into odds on and won narrowly before going on to win another three races on the bounce. Didn’t come up last preparation. Short of his best trip but he’s extremely well placed. MORGS FREEMAN is flying. KOHLI is never far from the winner.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – PRIZE PURSUIT WIN


RACE 4

FLYING SOUTH was some win on debut. Was able to shake off Why Me who has since headed to town and flashed home behind Angel Undercover/Wubin Gold/Cheeky Charlotte to more than frank the form. If he reproduces he’s a genuine chance again. SALARY MAN won impressively first-up by an extending 1L margin at the finish. The overall race time was 8L slower than maiden average so nothing to get excited about to the clock but to the eye he was powerful late. Passionate connections expect him to go on a winning spree but he will need room to move if he’s crossed from ‘box one’ as they would say. PENNIES GALORE is going super, just barrier 10 of 10 to overcome. TROPICAL SUN can be hit and miss.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet – FLYING SOUTH WIN


RACE 5

FRANTIC WAR is coming up in grade from a C2 into a 58+ but he drops 2kg in weight coming off a dominant on speed victory last start where he stopped the clock 5L faster than class average. Bec Bayliss has gone at 19% strike rate and 27% POT in the last 6 months – it’s hard to ignore. DANUBE RIVER has been back to  trials since resuming and her best is good enough to put her into the mix. VRUM continues to get nailed in the shadows. He’s ready to win one. AGENT JAY is better than what he produced last start.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – FRANTIC WAR WIN


RACE 6

BRING THE BLING should be about ready fifth-up. She was only beaten 3L last start behind Citino, Terratiff (races Wednesday at Bunbury) and Tin Chooks (winner on Sunday at Pinjarra). Was $21 into $11 last start too. Keep safe. LET HER BOOGIE has been getting closer and closer to another win. Jury has probably always been out as to whether she stays so coming back to a mile might be in her favour. YES OF COURSE was off his feet in the concluding stages last start. The first 1300m of that race was run 19L faster than average so he was entitled to be completely gassed late. DEADLY AND FAST has returned in career best form this time in.

Numbers: 5 – 2 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – BRING THE BLING WIN


RACE 7

DOUBLE THUMBS UP, COUSIN IVAN and HOOLAHOOPS ran first, second and third in a 54+ 1600 last start and now they all meet again over 1940m. Considering that COUSIN IVAN won a Listed 3 year old 2000 at Belmont Park (beating Marocchino if you can believe it) it might just be the perfect set up for him to win another race. He drops 2kg, he gets to his preferred distance and Alan Kennedy rides him well. HOOLAHOOPS has been savaging the line all campaign. Angela Smith is enjoying a brilliant season. DOUBLE THUMPS UP beat them both last start and see no reason why he won’t be there again. MISSALFIE gets a soft run with a senior on.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 6 – 5

Suggested Bet – COUSIN IVAN WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,2,3,6,7

2,4,5,6,8

1,2,4,5,6

2,9

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