Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Geraldton Preview

RACE 1

STAY ASTERN has his first start for Julia Martin. Only two starts ago he finished third behind Duchess Of Gossip and Red Rebel. Duchess of Gossip is now the winner of another four races and Red Rebel came out of that maiden and won impressively at his next outing. Opening meeting at the GTC is always a bit of guess work but form wise he has to be a chance at odds. KIMBLERLEY CURRENCY trialled really nicely before he went into a hot maiden on debut. Troy Turner / Ash Maley. Keep very safe. BEST MOOD was a $330,000 yearling purchase. He won a Lark Hill trial when ridden out at the start of September and should get a nice run throughout. HOW PRETTY ran well on debut.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 7 – 9

Suggested Bet – STAY ASTERN EACHWAY


RACE 2

ROMAN DANCER doesn’t look great on numerical form but this race is thin. When you start getting deep into this race you realise that maybe 6L off Silver Back Jack, Full Of Merit, Secrecy isn’t actually that bad. Real throw at the stumps fresh. ROMANTIC RULER is yet to really show up on race day. Blinkers added and barrier 1 should give him every chance in a bad race. DENZOE is fronting up for start 30 but should cross them. SPECIAL PLAN showed a glimpse at big odds on debut back in March.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 5 – 9

Suggested Bet – ROMAN DANCER EACHWAY


RACE 3

ALBERT has been a frustrating horse to follow over the last 12 months but we (finally) pegged some back at York last start when he put on a galloping exhibition from the top after being plunged in betting. Expect he rolls to the top here and Troy Turner rode him perfectly. GEORGE GENTLY won a C33 at Ascot second-up last preparation and then everything that could go wrong for him did go wrong for him. Graeme Hammarquist never produced him at Carnarvon so clearly they’ve been saving him for the Geraldton return and he should be finishing off strongly late. RUNFORROB should be a nice Midwest type. CAPE PRIDE had a big end to the dirt season.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet – ALBERT WIN


RACE 4

ENSIGN PULVER won his fourth race at start 61 when saluting at Belmont Park in a C3. He rolled to the top in that event and really never looked like being run down. Jedi Mind ran home well at Northam on Sunday to show that the form is fine and he’ll find this much easier than a 60+ Graduation in town. Rock hard fit and tough as they come. ARCADIA STAR is really well placed by Michael Grantham. She has to carry 59kg but she’s a more than capable mare. PATCHWORK was a great addition to the Willie Parker yard last season and should win more races. SET THE SCENE has done nothing wrong since lobbing at Sean Rains’ yard.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – ENSIGN PULVER WIN


RACE 5

MIA GUSTO won a 3 year old 1100m Saturday race first-up last preparation. After that the wheels well and truly fell off but it also meant she dropped a stack of points. After she won first-up she went to a m66 rater, she’s returning a c66 rater. Not sure she’ll ever reach those heights again but this is a great race to find out. SURE NO SOMETHING returns to Geraldton where he clearly does his best. ORISTANO is drawn wide and will get back but he’s got a nice L600 on him on his day. SAUVEGARDE a blow out hope.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 2 – 7

Suggested Bet – MIA GUSTO WIN


RACE 6

AWESOME CHATTER is another from the Adam Durrant yard who looks hard to beat first-up. He’ll want further than 1113m but with the vast majority of these first-up he gets a good chance to pinch one at the sprint trips before stepping out over further. He’ll only get harder to beat deeper into the campaign. BE SEATED went to a new level when last in work and is drawn to get the run he needs. HERITAGE SASH is one of only three horses who have had a start this prep. He drops 5kg and could give cheek. WESTOZI was a revelation for Albert Bowtell last season.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet – AWESOME CHATTER WIN


RACE 7

LUCKEE FLORAN is a lightly raced and seemingly progressive 4 year old. Raced 67 days between outings when second to Pop The Moet last season and should hold a spot from a favourable alley. Looks hard to toss. MOMBASA had one run for Tony Scally in Geraldton first-up last campaign and was enormous in defeat behind Bold Prophet. Just has a poor race pattern. MENINA finished second to Fortune’s Luck beating home subsequent winner Symphony In Red two starts ago. Could surprise a fair few of these. DESERT PETARD trialled super before heading straight to a Saturday race first-up. Back in trip, right back in grade.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – LUCKEE FLORAN WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,2,4,5

2,3,4

2,5,6,7,10

1,2,5,7

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