Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

ZOOMACHINO made a mid-race move when the speed slackened (under-statement) and unfortunately Chris Parnham wasn’t quite rewarded for being the rider to show some initiative when gunned down in the final strides by Guns Away. She’s now had the run over the staying trip and should be ready to break through. As Bustler and A Lot Of Good Men’s half-sister she’ll be a valuable broodmare in time. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS ran a distant second to Old Mate Henry but with him winning a 60+ Graduation when $8 into $2.20 the form now looks outstanding. MISS GRAPHENE was backed into odds on in that same maiden but seemingly didn’t run the trip? From the wide draw do they ride her cold and save her up for as long as possible? CORSO VENEZIA is on the back-up and can roll to the top.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 6 – 10

Suggested Bet – ZOOMACHINO WIN

RACE 2

SHES CAPITANA has won her last two Lark Hill barrier trials and looked good doing so. She’s drawn to get all the favours on debut and will be popular with Pike’s booking. It’s this time of year that you can see above average types making their debuts at Northam on a Thursday and she could be one of them. IM A SOULMAN finished second to Esta Mirando on debut and then second to Spirited Strike at his second career outing. He’ll march across from this wide gate and land in a prominent spot. HEAVEN SPECIFIED likely kicks through along the fence to lob leader’s back. Loomed large fresh but couldn’t go with Excess Baggage late in the piece. CAWARRA found 2 year old racing a bit too much too soon, but keep in mind she was $4.40 into $2.50 on debut at Ascot in a Saturday event. Hasn’t been asked for anything in recent trials.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – SHES CAPITANA WIN

RACE 3

PERFECTLY PROPER finished second to Do I Feel Lucky in the 2 year old Magic Millions and has also placed on a Saturday 2 year old SWP 1200m. She’s first-up into an All Age Maiden so gets in with 54kg and considering her last two were a Karrakatta and a WA Sires and she’s now got Pike on the min, she could be launched in betting. NICCIANA made her debut this track and distance back in June and led for a long way before being gobbled up by Simply Royalty. She has been tuned up for her returned with two barrier trials and she finds a winnable race at her return. She’s a bit different to most of the Cerise and White gallopers in the sense that she’s more jump and run. ACORN has trialled well for his debut. BRED NOT BROUGHT wants further?

Numbers: 8 – 1 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – PERFECTLY PROPER WIN

RACE 4

WREXHAM has taken a while to make it to the races but now that he’s here he might be worth following. He opened $4 as E2 in a Westspeed 1100 at Ascot on Saturday and they scratched to save for this. His barrier trial win was dominant. HELLAVAMOMENT was given a 10/10 by Brad Parnham on debut but couldn’t go on with the job. Respect the trials and the amount of money that came his way on debut. CELEBRITY ANGEL has run second in each of her three career starts and now has a tongue tie and Pike. Just wary she could go around short from the outside barrier and considering she was beaten in a Geraldton maiden last start. HERAULT looks a nice type in the making but might want a touch more ground and a bit more experience?

Numbers: 1 – 6 – 10 – 8

Suggested Bet – WREXHAM WIN

RACE 5

PURE EXCESS is a sharp filly resuming. She could be on a Burgess Queen – Champion Fillies pathway and they’ve nominated her everywhere recently trying to find the right race. They’ve pulled the trigger here with Pike and expect she’s got too much firepower for her rivals. Note that she is accepted Saturday in a 60+ and if she comes out it would make STATEWIDE a special. He had his first preparations as a colt and now returns as a gelding who like Perfectly Proper earlier in the program is coming off runs in the Karrakatta Plate and WA Sires Produce (when third to Just Too Fly). All Age maiden, 3 year old – big watch. PROFOUND BENEFIT finds the 3 year olds too sharp. LA EXCELLENCE next best.

Numbers: 10 – 8 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – PURE EXCESS WIN

RACE 6

ADMIRE ASTRA has only been to the trials once over 1000m at Belmont Park and now comes straight to the races. She sat close handy in the trial and then darted back towards the cutaway area and made good ground. Simon Miller isn’t afraid to take a nice one to Northam so a big market watch. WHOS TALKING finds this easier than the 2 year old Saturday events that he contested in his initial preparation. David Harrison only usually gives his horses maximum 1x 950m trial, interesting that he’s had three. A LOT OF DAZZLE went around 100-1 on debut and finished off powerfully into third. ROCKING IN VEGAN is far better suited out to 1300m and ran well fresh at the 1000.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – ADMIRE ASTRA WIN

RACE 7

SNIP OF GOSSIP caused an upset first-up at 20-1 and was too strong for them late in a C3 1300m beating home a pair of subsequent winners in Wembanyama and Cavallo Red. Went to Toodyay second-up and never looked a chance in running. Always happy to forgive horses who flop at those unique circuits as many simply don’t handle it. He can bounce back here. AGE OF GRACE is a last start Northam C3 1600m winner, same track/distance/grade and maps to get a near identical run. Makes a lot of sense. SWEET TEA won well first-up in a Westspeed but hasn’t fired a shot since. That’s her. OMERTA GRACE is hopefully sharper with a set of shades.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet – SNIP OF GOSSIP WIN

RACE 8

ALNAUD has had two starts for Michael Grantham, a maiden win over 2000m when 42 days between runs and then 46 days later a runner-up performance at Bunbury again over 2000m. He might have been a long time maiden but the two runs for the new stable have been career best and this is thin (understatement). SALARY MAN sat on top of a ridiculously strong tempo two back (first 1600m run 23L faster than average) and was still there somehow with 200m to go. He’s ready to win one. SLUICE BOX is a 10 year old having his 11th run of the prep but kept coming in a 0MWLY at Kal on Cup Day. AL UNIQUE is proving very one paced.

Numbers: 1 – 7 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – ALNAUD WIN

RACE 9

COUNTESS OF KENNA was $11 into $5 first-up in a C5 1100 and never got into the contest in a race that was completely dominated on speed by Pin Deep. Did finish behind key rivals Valsassina and Mia Gusto who are both in this line-up but this time around it’s 1300m and she should be able to park up much closer. Always had time for her. VALSASSINA is the class galloper and again gives Giaan O’Donnell a wonderful look in at a provincial winner on the grass. MIA GUSTO is only having her third run for new trainer Gregory Kersley and was a big improver first-up to second-up. She’ll be winning races for the new connections. AMJAAD won a 60+ Graduation only four starts ago.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 10 – 4

Suggested Bet – COUNTESS OF KENNA WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,3,4,7

3,7

1,3,7

1,4,6,7,10

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