Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

UNIVERSAL IMPACT was a month between runs into a C1 1600 when fourth behind Highly Spoken and fellow subsequent winner Myzoom before breaking through at start number 12 with an all the way win over 1800m in an Ascot maiden. With the third horse Midnight Star coming out and winning on Monday at Pinjarra the form holds up and importantly in that event she beat home Redrye by 7L and had a huge SP advantage ($7 v $23). Looks a nice race for her to go two in a row. REDRYE went down to Albany and won a 58+ 1900 and bolted in. The time figures out of the race were strong and she clearly appreciated the shades coming off. BUCKLAND is looking to make it 2/54. Actually ran well last week. YALDA NIGHT nearly broke his maiden in a 46+ at Narrogin last week.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet – UNIVERSAL IMPACT WIN


RACE 2

DON’T DECLARE is a maiden with 59kg in a 3 year old 0MWLY taking on winners, however, in his initial preparation of racing he was a good thing beat on debut, finished 3L off Luana Miss and Twisted Steel in a Placid Ark Prelude and 1.6L off Luana Miss in a Placid Ark. He was given a very quiet barrier trial recently and should pack too many punches for his opposition fresh. Like the horse. XENTARO got dragged back at a crucial stage last week and couldn’t get into the race until it was all over. Did a good job to close the gap to a length late and he is a winner off the 6 day back-up previously. MANDIBLE MAGIC is going from strength to strength and is an under-rated filly. She can sit leader’s back and use the cutaway on straightening. VIRESHA was really sharp in her most recent barrier trial.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – DON’T DECLARE WIN


RACE 3

BARRON BILL and ANACONDA JONES come through the same race behind Stirking Alibi on debut and they both meet again in a 2 year old midweek assignment and will hold a mortgage over the market between themselves. BARRON BILL was the target of big support in that event (after the late scratching of All On Red) and ended up jumping odds on. No doubt they’ll both improve with the experience of that first start and no doubt both riders will look to take advantage of their favourable barriers. Think BARRON BILL will prove a touch too sharp but do expect that ANACONDA JONES will put up a fight and give him something to beat. IS THIS THING ON is a natural jump and run type. Will she look to cross Anaconda Jones in the first 200m or be content with the breeze? SAINTS N SINNERS was no match for Clear Approval at Pinjarra but does look like she’ll benefit from a set of shades. Drop back in distance a query?

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 7 – 5

Suggested Bet – BARRON BILL


RACE 4

BASSET HOUND was nominated for trials at Belmont Tuesday and races at Ascot on Wednesday. Regardless of the wide barrier Mitch Pateman has elected to start him here and he’ll attract a lot of interest and discussion. The most intriguing part about this race is that both of his main dangers Chattahoochie and MY DANNY BOY are both front runners and he’s a natural backmarker. Could be a fascinating viewing race. CHATTAHOOCHIE was allowed to stride at the barrier trials and never looked like being run down. Expect that they ride her that way at the races? MY DANNY BOY has the necessary speed to offset the wide barrier and head around to the breeze. Trial very sharp. PARIS TREATY is a 2 year old taking on the older horses in a race with depth. Tough way to start a career.

Numbers: 2 – 10 – 3 – 11

Suggested Bet – BASSET HOUND WIN


RACE 5

SHIMMERY STAR needs to gain a run as E1 after being scratched from Saturday to save for this. She’s had no luck since finishing third behind Peaceful Ruler and Swift Talker in a 3 year old 0MWLY 1400 here at Ascot. Since then she’s drawn awkwardly and endured tough passages and to her credit has fought on bravely at the end into third and fourth respectively. MISS SANTA CORRS really caught the eye fresh at 1400m behind Golden Chatter. Interestingly first-up the gear change was winkers off, blinkers on – and considering how well she went it’s a bit of a surprise that they switch back to the winkers again? FREE TO FLY steps out to 1500m and not convinced on whether that’s necessarily what she’s looking for? Does look the leader on paper (if that’s how they want to ride her), without much other speed and pressure in the event but off a moderate tempo last start from a perfect sit she was only a battling third. WILD PROMISE stuck on well at 1400m behind a WA Sires bound Clear Approval at Pinjarra last start. 53kg as a 2yo.

Numbers: 12 – 5 – 8 – 11

Suggested Bet – SHIMMERY STAR WIN


RACE 6

PRINCE EPAULETTE has had two runs for new trainer Meryl Hayley and they’ve both been solid. Third to Peter Gunn and now Saturday winner Fifth Essence and then narrowly run down last start in a C2 at Geraldton under 60kg. A little bit of rain around should only enhance his chances (Soft6 maiden winner by 4L) and should safely get across to at least the breeze. QUEEN ARIA has raced in either 60+ Graduation or 0MWLY grade at her last four outings and now looks to have found a really winnable race in a C3 1600 dropping in grade. She rises to 58.5kg but should have no excuse from the draw. SAXON JEWEL is a tiny little mare who will be benefitted by the drop in weight. Tries hard. HOWDY was only just behind Queen Aria last start and gets a 1.5kg weight swing to try and turn the tables.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 10 – 1

Suggested Bet – PRINCE EPAULETTE EACHWAY


RACE 7 

LORD SHIVA looks well placed by Mitch Pateman and follows a near identical preparation to last campaign where he won first-up, no trial off 161 days in a C3 1000 at Ascot. This time around he’ll attack this race off 193 days and has to carry 60kg but he’s a pervious winner under that weight, in this grade (by a near 5L margin). Love seeing the Bar Plates removed and love the use of the Holly Nottle 2kg claim. Jump and run 1000m horse and hopefully simply too quick for rivals. CORNER OFF made an encouraging WA debut behind Niccimota and then got too far out of her ground and had excuses second-up at Pinjarra. Leader’s back a great spot with a free rolling leader and a cutaway. MEDIA MOGUL has real X-Factor about him. Think he’ll make into quite a nice horse in time. CLEANEMUP trialled well and is proven in a higher grade than this.

Numbers: 1 – 5 – 6 – 3

Suggested Bet – LORD SHIVA WIN


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,3,10

1,5,8,11,12

2,3,10

1

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