Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Geraldton Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

DIAMAS comes through the same Blue Lupin race as the fav and there realistically wasn’t much between them, either SP wise or performance wise. At least this mare is lightly raced and we’ll also be getting an eachway price about her. There’s not much between all these mile maidens and it often comes down to a bit of luck and the right run. IL BELLO BEALS looks destined to jump favourite in start number 23. He’s had his fair share of chances and they’ve tried him from 1100 to 1600. He has had excuses his last two and Holly Nottle jumps aboard, but it’s just hard to get too enthused with these long time maiden gallopers, especially at the price <$3? KALLAHTI likes room to move. Looks important that he jumps and can kick through to lead. TRIPLE AR lost the rider last start. Debut encouraging.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – DIAMAS EACHWAY

RACE 2

SOUTHLAND is nice and progressive and capable of working his way through to 70+ company at Geraldton next season or even heading down to Perth to test the waters in a 0MWLY or 60+ Graduation. The penny really seems to have dropped this time around and he’s attacking the line strongly. Don’t see 1600m stopping him and you’d think he nearly lands 1×1. Looks to have too much upside for his rivals. CANTILEVER has had another really consistent preparation and it looks a good chance on paper for Ava Catarino to take him to the top and stay out of trouble. PATCHWORK is a rising 8yo mare who has been caught at this level for the whole season without being able to break through. Just a length or two below her 2025 runs. LET’S SEA has had a great grass prep and can be followed into the dirt season if punching on.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – SOUTHLAND WIN

RACE 3

RULE THE REALM ran second in a C1 to Salvado and then two starts later ran a solid second to subsequent winner We Love Charlie in an Albany maiden. Tongue tie added, Tash Faithfull sticks and will be double the price of the filly. Can test her. SOLAR CREST was produced first-up at Ascot in an 1100m maiden when beaten 2.5L by Belarua Star. Metro maiden into a country maiden and from a high strike rate stable, however, she’ll certainly be short enough for a filly who did go under at $1.70 at Kalgoorlie over the round last season. One to beat but wary of price. WILD GOSSIP found a bit of traffic first-up and then found the line well. COSTA STAR just seems to lack a killer instinct. Troy Turner a big bonus and she’ll get a soft run.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 7 – 4

Suggested Bet – RULE THE REALM WIN

RACE 4

GILES has turned a corner, seemingly out of nowhere! As a $12 chance in a 1400m maiden he upset them and then backed it up into a C2 1600 when carrying 59kg to win again. The horse he beat races at Ascot on Wednesday and has been the target of an aggressive early market move. Why can’t he win again? 61kg and barrier 10/10 are definite hurdles but they’ve clearly figured something out with him recently. BLUE LUPIN trialled up super over the 1450 at Lark Hill and then was competitive in a couple of provincial maidens before Rob Gulberti started to travel him around. The maiden win on Cup Day was strong and he looms as the obvious danger. NOBILDONNA wasn’t disgraced last start at 200-1 and can roll to the top. DREAM ILLUSION disappointed last start but was easily good enough fresh.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – GILES WIN

RACE 5

ARCHENEMY and LEONARDO DA GREY went head to head in a C2 1400 at Geraldton on 9 April and there was a 2.6L margin between them, ARCHENEMY put on a clinic that day. Since then he has progressed to an Abrohlos Plate and finished third behind Southland and Zorbrist and now finds himself back into C2 company. He’s raw but he’s got a big turn of foot for this grade. LEONOARDO DA GREY was stiff not to go close behind Bolta in the Regional Championships Final at Ascot back in November and then was only 2L off Scurgeofthewest. Maybe he doesn’t carry weight because his C2 runs have been well below what he’s capable of? GOLDEN CHATTER broke maiden status impressively and then did a bit wrong in a 3 year old 0MWLY. Nicely placed and great use of the claim. CRIMMO is his own worst enemy but Barry Newnham has him going well.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 8

Suggested Bet – ARCHENEMY WIN

RACE 6

SNIPPETY LEGEND won a 68+ 1400 at Geraldton and then went to a 60+ Graduation at Ascot when second to Desert Waves, beating home subsequent 60+ Graduation winner Westbound. He’s back to his home track where he’s won 5 from 6 and he’s proven to be a superior animal to many of his key rivals previously. Tricky draw but he’s versatile and just knows how to win. THEHORSEMAN looked a tired horse when he lost all form in early 2026. The freshen has done him a world of good and he’s back to near his best. PLAYING GAMES is the perfect kind of mare for this grade and the Scurgeofthewest form has been the best form for most of the season. GOLD KEEPER just doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – SNIPPETY LEGEND WIN

RACE 7

STRYKER’S GAL is a handy mare on her day. She’s finished in the money at 9 of 19 and attacks this first-up, no trial. She wasn’t at her best in two runs in Geraldton earlier in the season, but only needs to bounce back to her Kalgoorlie C2 form to be very competitive in what looks an open and even contest. AWESOME LILY was first-up, no trial at 1200m in a 58+ and was held up the entire length of the straight. Tash Faithfull on for an apprentice, 58+ back into C2 – just watch the market support. Profile – big $$. SCENIC BOOM went around 100-1 last start racing well outside the handicap in a 70+ but was really stiff behind Scurgeofthewest and Playing Games. Far more suitable race for him here. SWEXAN a watch at his WA debut.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 11 – 9

Suggested Bet – STRYKER’S GAL EACHWAY

RACE 8

DEEP DISCRETION has had a long preparation (15th run of the campaign) but she just continues to run well. Still not entirely convinced she’s a 1400m horse – but that’s offset by the fact that Troy Turner sticks and barrier 1 to get as soft a run as possible. If she’s ever going to win one at the 7 furlongs it’s here. SHAKA ZULU put in his best run of the last 12 months when wide throughout at Albany behind a horse who has won again impressively in Brave Apache. Looks the right race for him here. THE RUSH sat wide throughout in the Abrohlos Plate and while many will ignore the Dongara form, she did win a 58+ 1400 at Geraldton two starts earlier. SALVADO has been a nice acquisition for the Tony Scally team who have had a season to remember.

Numbers: 2 – 3 – 1 – 12

Suggested Bet – DEEP DISCRETION WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,2,3

1,2,5

FD

2,3

Market Market



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