Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Ascot Preview

RACE 1

ALASKAN looked a different horse at trials having been gelded and sporting a set of blinkers. On debut as a 2 year old he only finished 3L off Cosmic Crusader. Neville Parnham’s yard is going super and he can hopefully hold a spot from the favourable draw. TRESPASSING was a solid return for his new stable. He shouldn’t be a maiden much longer. OREGON HIKER trialled nicely (again) at Lark Hill over the 950m when effortlessly working through his gears in the home straight. He’s shown enough. FAR TWOGOOD was a strange trial most recently when all of a sudden finding a second wind late.

Numbers: 12 – 2 – 8 – 13

Suggested Bet – ALASKAN WIN


RACE 2

PANDORA GIRL has finished in the money on three separate occasions in Saturday 60+ Graduation company. Finds herself in a maiden first-up without a trial and will command a lot of attention. Interesting to see what the market does with her because this race has a level of depth but if she can run to the level which saw her split Harmika and Honey Dew over 1100 on 6 May she’ll be very hard to beat. REGAL STATUE is lightly raced and work through the line strongly at Lark Hill trials. Barrier is a concern, especially if she were to go back. MAXINE’S WISH was super on debut and then woeful at her second outing. BILL SELECTS is a long time maiden but has returned well.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – PANDORA GIRL WIN


RACE 3

RISEANFALL likely looks to hold out Five Down early and take full advantage of the inside rail and the Easterly breeze. She’s still working out what racing is all about but she’s getting closer and closer to breaking through for a maiden win. Another good effort on Melbourne Cup Day only run down late by seemingly talented filly Cher. RED TORI was unable to get past Five Down in an on speed dominated affair at her second outing but she still put the writing on the wall. Hard to hold out. FLY WITH CAUTION was ridiculously impressive at Bunbury. Gave Brave Spirit windburn and he’s no slouch. Respect. FIVE DOWN pinched it last start (first 800m = 11L slower than average). Likely to find this a bit tougher.

Numbers: 6 – 8 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – RISEANFALL EACHWAY


RACE 4

CITY ANGEL is really quick when they let her run and drawn barrier 9 of 9 you would expect that Madi Derrick will put the foot down in an attempt to cross down to the fence. Last time she was in a C1 she was beaten a nose on the post and since then she’s been competitive in three higher graded races. Nice placement and gets conditions to suit. CRYSTALIST travels beautifully in his trials and in his races. He’ll get every chance stalking a hot tempo. SHEZGOTTHALOT sat outside of Universal Playboy at trials and was a bit too good for him. Measures up here. RED REBEL may want further but looked to be bolting at trials before hitting a wall of traffic.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 8 – 4

Suggested Bet – CITY ANGEL EACHWAY


RACE 5

HARMIKA is brilliantly placed by Adam Durrant. First-up last preparation she ran second in a 60+ Graduation before winning at that level a fortnight later by over 1L. At her third run of the campaign (with the same weight she carries here in a midweek C3) she split Category Three and Valency. Love the placement, love the trial, love the claim. Ticks a lot of boxes. CHER is a filly on the improve. Missed the kick last start and was still too powerful for them late. She can make her way through the grades. KINGS FLIRT can come out positive to look for a spot. SENTIMENTAL BELLE always goes round short. Yet to set the world on fire.

Numbers: 1 – 10 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet – HARMIKA WIN


RACE 6

OUR NEMESIS trialled the house down at Lark Hill when skipping away to win by 4.5L and then was nabbed in the shadows by Shooting Spirit first-up before getting clear and romping home at $1.40 in a Northam maiden. Everything out of that race is being plunged in betting and running really well. He’s got real X-Factor and can sit three deep and move into the race on the corner. KISSES FROM KELLY is another who looks like he’ll make his way through the grades this preparation. He’s capable of making a sustained run like Our Nemesis. RIG A DIG is going well but doesn’t win out of turn. LA DETTE simply found 1100m too sharp fresh.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 5 – 7

Suggested Bet – OUR NEMESIS WIN


RACE 7

LUCKY LANDING returns off a similar preparation to last campaign when winning first-up in a 1200m C3. Never trials that well but he always turns up fresh and the Michael Lane/Chris Parnham combination are back to their lethal best: Last 90 days = 21 runners for 6 winners at 28.6% SR & 46% POT. Only nag is that he may find himself midfield or worse on a day that’s unlikely to suit. UNDER INFLUENCE continues to run home in really slick L600s. Just needs to keep in touch and stay out of traffic; easier said than done. BUDGERIGAR beat up on moderate opposition fresh and then ran into a nice mare second-up. JEDI MIND has a horrible Ascot record but is going well.

Numbers: 11 – 7 – 4 – 14

Suggested Bet – LUCKY LANDING EACHWAY


RACE 8

HIGHEST AWARD can settle close handy to the speed and if she runs out a strong 1600m she looks well suited with only 54.5kg on her back. She’s the full sister to Queen Alina and is only improving with racing. Like the set up for her. AWESOME CHATTER had raced without much luck at Geraldton and showed last start he’s getting close. LONG WEEKEND is an unknown at 1600m but he was much better on Melbourne Cup Day. MR MT WALKER was a handy run at his first outing for Michael Grantham.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 2 – 9

Suggested Bet – HIGHEST AWARD WIN


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

1,10

1,4,5,7

2,4,7,8,11,14

3,8

Market Market