Races

Scott Embry’s Thursday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

SAVIENNE was an eye catching return at 20-1 behind Enchanted Miss (beating home key rival Big Man Zor in the process) and then was thrown into the deep end in the Belmont Oaks last weekend when finishing 7.5L adrift of star filly Ladies Pro. On the 5 day back-up, carries the same weight in a maiden as the Listed feature and now gets Pike. She’ll be popular but given her likely SP – punter beware. BIG MAN ZOR has been to 1800m once in his life at start number three and finished 1L behind Final Call in second, beating home now maiden winner Vexatious Rose. He has looked really one paced this preparation and after blinders were added last start, they’re immediately removed here. He’ll keep whacking away. YALDA NIGHT is a 25 start maiden who has had his chances. CORSO VENEZIA can roll to the top.

Numbers: 8 – 4 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bet – SAVIENNE WIN

RACE 2

PENNY PINCHER is no star but this does look a really weak and suitable race for her to go close. Trialled up on two occasions, a 400m jump out win and then a solid second trial at 1000 before stepping out fresh at 1100m in what should hold up as a form reference race. Bookends goes around favourite in a C1 at Belmont on Wednesday and the runner-up Dirty Habits will be my best for the program later in the day. Rolls forward, stays out of trouble and doesn’t need to be anything special to (penny) pinch this (sorry). HELLBENT FOR GLORY ran an eye catching third behind subsequent Magic Millions placed Hubbles Dragon at his second career outing. Hasn’t shown much either side though. DREAMLORD has a set of shades added immediately. Trials were better than the fresh run. BRICINI gave cheek fresh at 25-1 behind Tiger Tank but was well beaten second-up in the same race as Penny Pincher.

Numbers: 7 – 3 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – PENNY PINCHER WIN

RACE 3

DELZEE was a really nice barrier trial. Always wary of the 930m back straight trials at Lark Hill, especially when he looked to get things fairly soft through the early and middle stages, but liked the way he extended late and through the line and the entire family through Dam Planet Claire have been able to gallop. Drawn to get all the favours and happy to gamble on him on debut. PEANUT BUTTER ran second at bUnbury behind now C1 winner and Saturday destined 3 year old Common Touch before finishing fourth second-up behind Forgotten Son. Back to 1100m might be the right move and he’ll be within striking distance if good enough. CHE FIGATA showed glimpses with Danny Morton and the first-up run for new trainer Lynette Watson was excellent. WREXHAM has been kept safe in betting at both career runs off the back of some impressive trial performances.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – DELZEE WIN

RACE 4

DIRTY HABITS is the half brother to WA Cult Hero Filthy Habits and looks like he’s going to be winning races early in his career. At his debut run he only finished 2L behind now Saturday winning filly Searchin’ Times in a race that also contained 3x subsequent winner Desert Ora and he wasn’t disgraced. 4 months later he ran a ripper second to Bookends and if she was to win again on Wednesday at Belmont it will only make the form look stronger. Looks a great race for him to break through. OLAF THE SNOWMAN was stiff first-up behind Elegant Ruler but since then hasn’t exactly set the world on fire. Forgiving last start if he didn’t handle the 6 day back-up and Team Gangemi go back to the blinkers. THANGOO trialled up well and Michael Grantham is on fire. ON CUE is yet to really race up to his trial efforts.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 9 – 1

Suggested Bet – DIRTY HABITS WIN

RACE 5

I LOVE YA MONEY was 2 months between runs with a set of shades on at Belmont Park when luckless behind Sonic Breeze. Was held up at a crucial stage as those who finished in front of him built up a full head of steam and does look a real momentum animal. Forgive, forget and now follow. MYSTIC EMPRESS finished fourth fresh and was beaten all of a neck. Western Miss progressed out of that race and bolted in at $1.20 and Kings Park went on to run third in a C1 at Belmont. Right form – ugly map? BADGER BOB won a trial and then went around $2.50 on debut when finishing 2L off them and racing very greenly. Better for the experience. RUTHLESS BLOOM showed nothing in her first preparation but it may have just been too much, too soon for her, because the two Lark Hill trials this time around have both been 10L better.

Numbers: 4 – 9 – 5 – 11

Suggested Bet – I LOVE YA MONEY WIN

RACE 6

LADY MONEY TALK was a beaten favourite at Albany at her first start for new trainer Brandon Fiore and then led and won at Pinjarra second-up with a tongue tie applied. Stepped into C1 company and wasn’t disgraced behind Jimmy Angel who had 3 year old Saturday and 0MWLY form against his name. Gets out to 1600m, draws to park up close handy and should be afforded every chance. ENCHANTED MISS goes up 5kg from a maiden into a C1 with the senior rider taking over but she does look like she’ll appreciate being ridden cold and being allowed to wind up late. FORGOTTEN SON got his maiden out of the way stylishly first-up and does no work. STOLEN had excuses at her WA debut and Mack Hall’s last 90 days = 17% POT.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – LADY MONEY TALK WIN

RACE 7

ROCK IN WONDER is an ideal 3kg claimers horse. Was a month between runs in this grade last start when beaten by Savvy Ruler but set some ridiculous sections in the middle stages. First 1500m was run 22L faster than average and their L600 was 9L slower – they were all completely gassed and he was responsible for that tempo. Free rolling, front runner and should be in front for a long way. SAVVY RULER went from that win into a 66+ on a Saturday and couldn’t pick her legs up on the Heavy8. Complete forgive and can bounce straight back here without surprising. DESERT EDGE was (is?) likely treading water and building fitness before heading up the Port Hedland / Roebourne type NW Country Cups and picked up a grass win to pay his way. BARRAQUITO beat up on opposition who may struggle to win a race but she’s a filly without as many convictions as her rivals.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 8 – 7

Suggested Bet – ROCK IN WONDER WIN

RACE 8

SISU SPIRIT had nothing go right for him at his WA debut. He was blocked for clear running the entire length of the home straight and looked to have plenty to offer. Second-up in the State the blinkers are reapplied (last worn October 2024) and considering his 2x NSW wins were leading he doesn’t need to go back from the wide draw if the pattern doesn’t suit. BERRY BLAST got going when the race was all over fresh at 1200m. Considering her only win was in a mile maiden this is still likely short of her best but it was an encouraging return from a filly who will be winning races. COSMIC SPIRIT hasn’t been seen at the races since the 28th of December 2024 – or a total of 558 days. She trialled once in May 2025, twice in September 2025, once in February 2026 and now resumes off one barrier trials in June. Great to see her back at the races but have to be tipping / betting around here off that lay off. MILITARY JANE showed her 200-1 win was no fluke.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 7 – 11

Suggested Bet – SISU SPIRIT WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,4,5,7,9,11

3,4

1,3

1,2,6,7,11

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