Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

ANGEL EXPRESS the half-sister to former stable star Admiration Express has looked good at trials. They’ve been patient with her, having had five barrier trials stretched out over two preparations and in the most recent she was both sharp enough to win at 400m and strong enough to win over 950. Shades on, Pike on and expect her to be popular. Through that same 950m Lark Hill trial was DINKY DOUBLE who also impressed. Didn’t have much room to move between runners but travelled just as well as Angel Express. PEAK TYCOON is a little wayward but must respect the volume of money that came her way on debut behind a now 3yo 0MWLY winner in Supersmash. TEX ‘N’ CEE should only improve start to start but do think he’s looking for more of a 1200?

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – ANGEL EXPRESS WIN

RACE 2

TAG TEAM destroyed rivals on a bottomless Heavy9 last start. He won by an official margin of 11.59L – been a long time since we’ve seen a margin like that in a WA maiden – and hopefully he can reproduce on a Good4. His only other WA run was a minor to stablemate and now C1 winner Flying Maradona and that’ll see him go around prohibitively short here. RUTHLESS ANGEL resumed in a 3 year old Plate on a Saturday and finished fourth behind Boy Crush and Dawn Dancer. Nicely placed here into a C1 but might run into a good one? ALL THE STARS is a work in progress. HEZ GOT THE SAFE continues to tease. Unfortunately, now he is a 16 start C1 who just can’t clear out of the grade. Might be the kind of horse better suited in a C3 or 60+ Grad to get some weight relief.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – TAG TEAM WIN

RACE 3

FOREVER VICTORIOUS has put the writing on the wall at her last two outings. She ran second to Trickster in a 1600m maiden second-up at 25-1 and then third-up showed it was no fluke by reproducing when second to Modern Miss. Now it’s worth noting that Modern Miss jumped at over 100-1 fixed so there’s always an element of doubt and concern following and trusting those races as a form line, however, she’ll roll forward, she’ll stay out of trouble and a lot of these have had their chances compared to her. MYSTACHEENO has come back bigger and stronger this time around as a 4 year old and looks to have a staying maiden in him. HE’SNOTALLTHERE likely comes out underneath Forever Victorious to try and control the race from the top. SAISOKU is screaming out for 2000 (even 4000….)

Numbers: 8 – 5 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – FOREVER VICTORIOUS WIN

RACE 4

LUNARIS went for $340,000 at the 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale and comes from a relatively expensive family (yearlings out of the dam: $270,000, $160,000, $130,000, $300,000, $90,000, $340,000 & $230,000). Think the market is going to start attacking a few of these 3 year old fillies in all age maidens so expect money in her direction off the back of a solid trial where she had no room to move. CHAMPAGNE TALKS needs to get across from the wide gate, but if she does then she should be in the mix for a long way. Beaten under 2L Vienna Calling, beaten just over 1L Truly Loyal and Our Main Man, and then an obvious forgive last start in a fast run and high rating maiden behind Pistone. PROPHECY GIRL returns off a spell with a set of shades on. CARTIER GLOW is very speedy.

Numbers: 14 – 7 – 13 – 11

Suggested Bet – LUNARIS WIN

RACE 5

WARDIKCAR and POPPY’S ROSES are both heading to the races off the same Lark Hill 950m trial behind Three Virgos. Trial watching is a subjective beast but no doubt there will be a few in the same corner with the view that if you swapped the runs you’d swap the result, with Austin Galati and WARDIKCAR spending effectively the entire home straight looking around for clear galloping room whilst POPPY’S ROSES got through unimpeded with a full head of steam. Going to trust the eye and go against the trial result and against the likely ordering of the market. GOD BE QUICK looks like a middle distance type who can sprint well on debut and then build into a campaign. FARNESSA wasn’t disgraced on debut and looks like a little tryer.

Numbers: 2 – 7 – 12 – 13

Suggested Bet – WARDIKCAR WIN

RACE 6

MOOSE looks quite a big lumbering type of youngster who will eventually build and furnish into a nice horse. Love the fact that the stable have gone straight to a 1400 with him on debut, because at 1000 or 1200 he’d just be uncomfortable and chasing and off balance. Have loved both of his recent 950m trials and happy to get involved on debut, especially when the likely favourite has had a fair few opportunities and loses his regular rider. OSCARS NO GROUCH is that horse and while he has 5 placings from 9 starts, he does seem to find excuses if they’re there to be found. Steps to 1400 for the first time in his life and was a forgive last start when wide and working throughout. DIAMOND CHOUX similarly has shown glimpses but is now a 14 start maiden. STATE OF BOOM was better last start but the market still thinks he’s 5L better than he is.

Numbers: 11 – 1 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – MOOSE WIN

RACE 7

GONDRINKIN flopped at Junction (again). In 2025 she was beaten 14.2L at Junction and then went to Kalgoorlie back onto the grass 15 days later and won. This year she’s gone to Junction, been beaten 18L and now 12 days later returns to grass racing at Bunbury. Four starts back – good behind Friars Legacy, three starts back – luckless behind Eternal Romance, two starts back – wide throughout. She’s actually going okay and will be 20-1. Worth a throw at the stumps. BONDI STAR was first-up at 1600 and nearly ran down Pure Mac. Makes a lot of sense and justifiably favourite. BEEJAY BOY wasn’t the worst return for a horse who needs every inch of 1600. POINT ROCKS goes lengths better at Bunbury than he does anywhere else. Ticking along well and maps a treat.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – GONDRINKIN EACHWAY

RACE 8

I’M CRAFTY needs room to move. Better to be drawn 14 than 1 for him. In September of last year he won a C5 1200 at Belmont first-up, no trial off 116 days so he can pull out a sprinting run even though he’s better known as a 1400m type. Carries weight, runs for CJP and by this stage of the day you’ll know whether or not they’re making ground. RETURN OF THE MACH has had an interrupted prep. No luck at Northam first-up when held up for the majority of the straight and then has headed back to trials in between when ridden upside down to her usual pattern in a set of shades. LOOKS is giving all he’s got. He’s difficult to ride but Chloe Azzopardi knows him inside out. SPANK APPEAL is an enigma.

Numbers: 2 – 11 – 10 – 7

Suggested Bet – I’M CRAFTY EACHWAY

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,7,12

1,11

1,2,4,6

2,10,11

Market Market



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