Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Geraldton Preview

RACE 1

SATIN BOW looks to get her chance. She’s back to 1100m (tick), she’s finally drawn a gate to actually lead against the inside fence (tick) and she’s been going really well all campaign. Only two starts back she was beaten under a length by She’s Hot, Bosun and Call Me Frosty and the horse who beat her last start (Yapper) is a nice type for the region. Natika Riordan last 90 days: 20 winners at 13.5% and 23% POT. Going super for a 2kg claimer in the country. IL BELLO BEALS has promised to win a Gero maiden ever since he arrived in WA back in October 2024. Running out of chances now. GOLD LIGHTNING is 1400 back to 1100 but the last two urns have been lengths better than previous form and now the blinkers go back on. LOONA DAWN is another speedster in the race but will need to breeze by the looks.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – SATIN BOW WIN


RACE 2

KALLAHTI was first-up at 1400m and ran really well in the key form reference race. There was some money around for him at odds too, firmed up from 40s into 20s at one stage and should only improve here second-up. Just needs to overcome a really trick draw. NOW SHOWING gets back out to 1600m which is the distance of his two good Geraldton runs behind Truly Supreme and Noble Touch. SWISHGOBANGO is 4 weeks between runs, 300m back in trip and can kick through to lead from the inside. EXTRA ZERO has teased locals for too long now. No idea whether he’s a 1100m horse or an 1800m horse. Confusing (frustrating) animal.

Numbers: 6 – 2 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet – KALLAHTI WIN


RACE 3 

SNIPPETY LEGEND is a really progressive galloper for the region and think he can take the step from 58+ company into 70+ company here successfully. He gets 4.5kg weight relief down to the 54kg minimum and so Tash Faithfull jumps on for a very much in form Tony Scally. In the last 6 months the Scally stable has produced 11 winners at a 24% strike rate and a near 50% profit on turnover. With horses like Snippety Legend, Scurgeofthewest and Bolta those numbers will only continue to improve. BE SEATED won a similar race to this two back and can make a contest of it late. GOLD KEEPER bobs up from time to time, especially in races without much speed and pressure. PATCHWORK has had a freshen and gets shades back on. Hopefully that will reinvigorate her.

Numbers: 9 – 3 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet – SNIPPETY LEGEND WIN


RACE 4

CHINO LA DIVA is again well placed by Dan O’Connor who this time around travels his big hulking mare up to Geraldton. She dropped back into a 46+ at Bunbury last start, led and ran them ragged by a near 3L margin at 1200m and provided she jumps cleanly then she should be able to slide forward to at least park up outside of Spirit Man, or ideally roll on with the job. LUCKEE FLORAN has had a 70 day freshen through the middle of the season. His first three runs in 58+ company all resulted in narrow minor placings. He’s a big threat from just behind the speed. GOLD SPY was a revelation at Carnarvon winning his first three in style. Whether he can produce anywhere near the same level on the grass is still to be seen because ultimately before he headed to Carnarvon he was a 12 start maiden. SPIRIT MAN wins a race or two every season.

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – CHINO LA DIVA WIN


RACE 5

YAPPER was crunched in betting really late on debut and then nothing went right for him at any stage in running. Second-up he made amends when getting over the top of Satin Bow late in the event and she should be going pretty close to franking the form in the opening event. As we’ve seen over many seasons in the country, you can go from a maiden to a   C1/C2 with success and he looks to have ability and upside. VERSAILLE was really well respected at her WA debut and didn’t let punters down getting the job done this track/distance and from the inside draw she’ll again park up close handy and get every chance. SO IMMACULATE led them running at Bunbury and that was the last they saw of her. Expect that Rocky will be given a licence to put the foot down. HILLSIDE HORACE was a great return but likely does it tough in a race that looks like being dominated on top of the speed?

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – YAPPER WIN


RACE 6

MAXIMUM IMPACT (‘for Bruno’) won his second race at his 61st start most recently at Bunbury. The time figures out of that race were actually quite strong, so maybe there is a world in which he wins two on the bounce? It’s brave following up on a horse like that but his only two wins are both 10th up so it’s not like he trains off! Wilder things have happened (I think). KING OF CORDOBA is an intriguing galloper. At only his second career outing he led and won a 2000m maiden at The Bool before heading to a $150,000 3 year old race at Flemington as a 3 year old. You’d think 1600m is on the short side for him but he should work his way through the staying ranks once he gets to the 1900s. SKY RIVER can lead or track up Maximum Impact. CRAMPIN MY STYLE gets a set of winkers and a soft run.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 8 – 2

Suggested Bet – MAXIMUM IMPACT EACHWAY


RACE 7

SCURGEOFTHEWEST is bullying his way through the grades and highly doubt that anything in this line-up will be able to stop his progression. C2 1400 win under 59.5kg, C2 1400m win under 61kg and then dropped back to 1200m in a C5 and carried 58.5kg to victory. Proven weight carrier, proven 1400m type, can use the barrier to advantage and looks like eventually he’ll be headed to both 70+ grade and ultimately on a trip down to Perth. Very hard to beat and surely pretty short? BONNY ROCK has had a great preparation for Mack Hall and she went very close to topping Snippety Legend here two starts back. Looks the danger. SANABEAU could kick through to lead and gets 3.5kg weight relief with the claim. DEEP DISCRETION had the choice of this C5 1400 or the C2 1600 and they’ve gone with the shorter distance and the lesser weight.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 7 – 12

Suggested Bet – SCURGEOFTHEWEST WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

1,6

3,5,6

FD

1

Market Market