Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

ANTIQUE MISS didn’t beat anything in her maiden win (second horse is now a 36 start maiden) but once asked to accelerate she really got away from them in the concluding stages. Gives every indication she’ll keep improving as the distances increase and in the small field William Pike can bide his time and she looks to have gears to work through. Given the questionable maiden form you’d think she’ll get out in betting. MANAVENDRA was out gunned by another Cerise and White 3 year old last week in Arcadia Star. Rises another kilo and was given every hope last week by Chris Parnham in a slowly run race (first 1100m 25L slower than average). SIROTA was only half a length off Antique Miss two starts ago and meets her 3kg better at the weights. WARRALEA DIAMOND has found his feet recently in Albany.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 4 – 2

Suggested Bet – ANTIQUE MISS WIN

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RACE 2 

HANCHI has finished second in each and every trial he has been in to date. Second to More Special (winner), second to Shadow Fear (winner), second to Sass Machine (winner) and recently second to Red Square (looks an early winner of the future). Thought his 850m trial behind Sass Machine was excellent trailing the hot speed and chasing hard and then matching motors with Red Square should prove to be good trial form. ZING TO WIN was sent out a short-priced favourite on debut but was no match for Leading Taddy. KING OF FRANCE looked to wind up nicely in his 930m trial. DREAMERS NEVER DIE makes his debut without a trial. Really liked the last 50m of his December 400m jump out.

Numbers: 4 – 2 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – HANCHI WIN

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RACE 3

ROCK THIS TOWN was gunned down comfortably by Final Authority last week over the 1000m. He was 77 days between runs going into that assignment and now finds himself backing up off 7 days and dropping 2kg in weight coming up into a C3. He’s drawn inside of Snippenova and should be able to lead and dictate again. Won’t be long until he pinches another from the front. IMPOSING BROOK is having his first start for Annie King. Didn’t mind the trial under Austin Galati. Keep safe at his WA debut. SNIPPENOVA has strong 3 year old form to her name but seems to be a filly who needs the fence at this stage of her career. FIRST LAW trialled well but many punters will have big trust issues with him.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 5 – 1

Suggested Bet – ROCK THIS TOWN WIN

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RACE 4

BLACK FOR CASH caught the eye over 1000m behind Amelia’s Trust before heading to Northam when running a solid second to Debonnaire who went around $2.40 in a 60+ Graduation on Saturday. Looks Shaun O’Donnell’s best chance yet at a winner in his return to the saddle. FASHION STAKES looked to be spinning the wheels badly at her return to racing. Nowhere near the filly who ran second to Feels Playful and beat home Arid back in December over 1400m. Forgiving and following up. Trial was strong. GREAT DEMON trialled well over 930m for a horse making his debut at 1400m. THE COLLECTOR is quickly running out of chances.

Numbers: 3 – 9 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – BLACK FOR CASH WIN

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RACE 5

RED REBEL has been building towards a maiden win. Big in defeat behind Albright (Elite Street’s half-sister) in January, third to Late Vintage (finished ahead of First Encounter) and then second to Duchess of Gossip at Northam. Has improved at each and every run and now strikes a winnable race. Timing is right. BILL SELECTS has raced out of her grade at her last two starts. Fourth behind Catch These Hands, Mack Mack and Rusty Dreams, fourth behind Little Silver, Universal Flair and El Patron. Form doesn’t get much better for a maiden. BERGAMO improves with some cover. TRULY AWSOME went back to the cutaway last week which was clearly inferior ground.

Numbers: 3 – 10 – 12 – 11

Suggested Bet – RED REBEL WIN

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RACE 6

FLOPPY is no star but he’s racing with great consistency at the moment. The last two C1 races he’s contested have contained some nice midweek types: Awesome Rival, Twice A Fortnight, Exeltrain, Federation Rocks and Mojo’s Luck. Always goes round eachway and looks to get the run he needs. I LOVE YOUR SMILE has always shown plenty of promise and last start really stamped her authority on maiden opposition. Rises 2.5kg in weight and is drawn barrier 1. She’ll end up three or four back the fence and if the cutaway zone is quick sand like last Wednesday she’s going to need to be good. YONGA LASS was 7 weeks between runs in a C3 1300 at Northam. Couldn’t wind up in a sit and sprint affair. VISIONS OF GRACE almost pinched it last start.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 6 – 12

Suggested Bet – FLOPPY EACHWAY

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RACE 7

DOWNFORCE is not a known first-up horse, however, his last 14 outings have been in higher grade and if he runs to anywhere near the level that saw him finish 3L off The Velvet Queen, Casino Seventeen and Sentimental Hero back in December he would take holding out. If the track is three deep cover winding up into the race he’ll be right place, right time and he goes around an eachway quote. AMBERGATE ROSE is a get back mare with a strong turn of foot. Quite often these types of animals go lengths better for William Pike and with his booking alone she demands respect. WITHOUT REG got the job done at Northam first-up and maps to get a near identical run in transit. SESSWA held her own last start behind Mojo Rhythm on a Saturday. This is easier.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 7 – 6

Suggested Bet – DOWNFORCE EACHWAY

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RACE 8

BLEECKER STREET finished 2L off Feels Playful in a 1400m 3 year old Plate at Ascot back in January and was held up at crucial stages in the home straight. Wore blinkers in his recent trial, wears blinkers (not winkers) on race day and this is the first time in his career he’s gone to a C1 since breaking his maiden. Nice set up for him. FEDERATION ROCKS was $11 into $5.50 last week and chased hard behind Exceltrain. Backs up 7 days later and finds an equally winnable race. SCENIC ECLIPSE has been ridden very quietly in both trials and showed above average ability in her initial preparation. ANYOLDTIME was really impressive late first-up in a Westspeed Platinum. Big watch.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 8 – 12

Suggested Bet – BLEECKER STREET EACHWAY

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Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

3,10

1,5,6,9,12,(13)

2,3,6,7,9

1,2,4,8,12,13

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