Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Kalgoorlie Preview

Race 1

LITTLEWOOD was leading in a recent 1000m barrier trial with about 100m to go when he looked like he wanted to jump a shadow? Went off stride completely. Prior 400m jump out was really sharp and really strong and expect that he’ll look for the top on debut. Rare that we’d go into a Traditional Annual Race Round without a Luke Fernie plunge maiden and this might be it? IS THIS THING ON comes through a barrier trial with a bit of depth. Divine Mirage, Firearm and Maybe Maybe Maybe all ran well first-up out of that trial and further back was Snow Monkey who is a filly with above average ability too. The fact that Holly Watson rides Littlewood was worth noting. SNIPPETS RETURN will find this lengths easier than the 3 year old Saturday he resumed in. Maiden horses – maiden races. Simples. CALL ME INVINCIBLE tries hard but continually finds one better?

Numbers: 8 – 9 – 7 – 1

Suggested Bet – LITTLEWOOD EACHWAY


Race 2

RUN RUPERT RUN was an outstanding barrier trial leading into his return to racing but couldn’t match it with the sharp 3 year old short course sprinters like stablemate Boy Crush and subsequent winner Dawn Dancer. Second-up went to 1300 and ran well behind Grey Ol’ Day and now heads to a Country Maiden at 1400m. Drawn to get the run of the race and looks hard to hold out here. VAULTING SPIRIT ran well on debut behind All The Stars and then backed it up with a solid effort behind talented Peters Investments filly Treasured Legacy. Shades off after racing keenly last start. BUDINO is through the same race and now has blinkers added for the first time. Improving with racing. COOL LU got chopped out at trials and then looked like she found 1200 too short and sharp on debut.

Numbers: 8 – 12 – 10 – 13

Suggested Bet – RUN RUPERT RUN WIN


Race 3

VOMO ISLAND had his first start in Kalgoorlie for new trainer John Lugg on 26 July and was crunched in betting ($51 into $9) when running third behind Queen of Hawks and now Goldrush and Coolgardie Sprint runner-up Science Degree. Didn’t race for another 6 weeks and was presented fresh on 6th September and won effortlessly by an extending near 3L margin. Hard to not be with him the way he’s going? New stable, new horse. DOOR BUSTER can mix her form but at her best she’s really sharp for this grade. Best ridden cold so the wide draw shouldn’t worry. DUBAI’S DAUGHTER is also a bit of an enigma but if she finds the front she seems to be at her happiest. FIRE THE GUARD doesn’t know how to run a bad race.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – VOMO ISLAND WIN


Race 4

BLOOD BROTHER had his first outing for new trainer Rickie Brown off a freshen from a tilt at the Aquanita Stakes and could not have been more impressive. He had 60.5kg, he had a wide gate, he got back, he copped a hip and shoulder which unbalanced him on straightening and still ran away from his C2 rivals. Should relish the step to 1600m and looks a lightly raced, progressive type for the region. THE SCHOLAR won really well last start in a C1 1675 at Bunbury and then was nominated for a 60+ Graduation a fortnight ago at Belmont but didn’t accept. This looks a great race for him too. PLEASE MIZTER bolted in last start and again has no weight on his back. ARGYLE STAR is likely here to warm up for Saturday.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – BLOOD BROTHER WIN


Race 5

GAV HAS SPOKEN was enormous first-up at 1200m for a stayer and then put in a couple of flatter runs second-up at 1400 and then third-up back at an unsuitable 1200. Fourth-up she found herself in a C3 1685 and rattled home behind Sandfire Rose to put the writing on the wall and now finds the most winnable race of her prep, a C2 1760. LANTA has been knocking on the door for the last few months and with the weight swing and barrier advantage over Lord Momo is a definite chance of turning the tables. LORD MOMO is starting to finally figure it out. Has been a slow build but he’s getting better with each run now. HEY TRUE BLUE copped the wrath of the handicapper for running fourth in the Melvista & fourth in the WATC Derby (4 points total) and that’s made him hard to place as a C1.

Numbers: 10 – 4 – 2 – 1

Suggested Bet – GAV HAS SPOKEN WIN


Race 6

SPANGLEDSTAR has been a great find for Brett Drury this campaign. Headed to Kalgoorlie as an 18 start maiden and has now won 4 from 12 with another 5 minors to go with it. Best barrier she has drawn in a while and can hopefully sit just a pair closer in running. She’s always an eachway chance at this level. GIBRALTAR GOLD doesn’t run a mile? Previous efforts behind Spangledstar and More Likely are both good enough to be really competitive here. HELLO VENETA would have gone around an even money favourite at Toodyay on Sunday but with that race abandoned the Pearce Brothers were lucky enough (smart enough?) to sneak her into this race instead (E12 at weights!). Big win last start. PLAYING AROUND was a decent trial at Lark Hill behind Mind Field and Six Shooter and never got into the race first-up.

Numbers: 6 – 7 – 10 – 5

Suggested Bet – SPANGLEDSTAR EACHWAY


Race 7

FAST FLICKER went to a new level last prep running third behind London’s Image and Talkanco in the Pinjarra Classic, split Bonjoy and London’s Image in the Bunbury Stakes and finished second again to Bonjoy in the Grandstand Cup. She’s had well documented soundness issues with her feet so it was great to see the Bar Plates (front) Off (late gear change) in the Nicopolis where she got home well late into fourth. Better second-up, better at 1400, maps a treat and goes around eachway. COOL MEMORY was the short priced favourite in this race 12 months ago when running third. Given a different prep this campaign by DMac, with a great run in the Farnley followed by a mid-prep tick over trial. Like it. WITHOUT REG goes well when he gets a soft run and gets that here. DON’T WAIT FOR LUCK won’t know himself on the 54kg limit. Best local chance for a few years.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 14 – 9

Suggested Bet – FAST FLICKER EACHWAY


Race 8

WILUNA LASS needs to run out 1200m but with the 4kg claim of Gemma Taylor she’s afforded a wonderful opportunity to do so. Strong time figures out of her first-up win means she’ll be popular in betting. Plenty of the main dangers would prefer this was 1300-1400 so thinking she’s a big chance of rolling to the top and pinching this. DANCEWITHME is ‘well placed’ but at the same time did seemingly struggle under the big weights earlier in the prep and then jumped out of the ground in a 58+ with weight relief? AMARLIE MISS will need conditions to suit because she’s drawn wide and will get back, but if they can make ground down the centre on the track on Thursday then this looks a decent race for her to swoop late. WHATYOUTALKINBOUT like many of these key players is back in distance and it’s a query whether that’s of any assistance or not?

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 10 – 7

Suggested Bet – WILUNA LASS EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,4,10

6,7,10

3,4,6,9,10,14

1,2,7,10