Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

RACE 1

LORD SHIVA has impressed in each trial. Makes his debut in a 3 year old 0MWLY and takes on winners Gold Citation and Never The Twain but he looks like he’s well and truly above average himself. In his first 930m trial he beat home subsequent Saturday winner Auspicious (10L back to third) and in his most recent trial he extended stylishly to win by almost 3L. NEVER THE TWAIN sat back last over 1000m on a Heavy10 and gobbled them up impressively. She’s got plenty of upside. OSCAR’S FORTUNE was hammered in betting last Thursday at Northam before being a late scratching refusing to load. ANGEL UNDERCOVER beat Gold Citation in their recent trial. Just needs an ounce of luck.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

Suggested Bet – LORD SHIVA WIN


RACE 2

BRAZEN EMPRESS is the first of a string of Grant & Alana Williams/William Pike mounts who will attract the attention of punters. This is not a deep maiden by any stretch and thought she showed enough both at the trials and then in her first race outing when caught wide throughout chasing a hot tempo. Gets a gun run from barrier 1 and should only improve for the experience. PRIX D’AMOUR has some reasonable formlines including finishing less than 2L off subsequent Saturday winner Arid (beat Rear Admiral). Dangerous late with the right split. TWAIN’S ANGEL finished alongside first-up winner Catch The Red Eye at trials. 51.5kg after the Madi Derrick claim. ARCADIA KNIGHT has had three solid hit outs to prepare him for his debut.

Numbers: 9 – 5 – 10 – 8

Suggested Bet – BRAZEN EMPRESS WIN


RACE 3

BE AWESOME has had numerous trials over multiple preparations. Her most recent two trials have been strong, third behind stablemate Miss Skyhigh and then finishing only 2L off Made In Mexico who has been one of the Lark Hill trial stars in recent months. Liking these 3 year olds taking on the older horses in all-age maidens and he looks hard to hold out on debut. STORM LEADER has only finished in the money once in eight outings but it’s not a fair reflection of his ability level. Should have finished closer last start behind Indie Ruler when held up behind horses who were taking him nowhere. FIELD OF BATTLE is his own worst enemy but has ability. MY LOVELY PET got to the line well fresh.

Numbers: 11 – 2 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – BE AWESOME WIN


RACE 4

PATRON OF KINGS went three from three at trials before lining up on debut in a 1200m maiden on a Heavy9. He was green, he was raw and he was extremely impressively. He won by almost 3L running away from them in a time that was ~4.5L faster than maiden average. Not easy to go straight from a maiden into a C1 with an extra 2kg but he looks like he’ll be winning plenty of races throughout his career. Keep following. WAR HYMN sneaks back into a C1 and after the claim looks like she’s found her most suitable race since joining Chris Willis. PACIFIC LADY got the job done down the straight, this is tougher and the draw it sticky. DIAMOND ROCKS trialled up nicely for her new yard.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 5 – 4

Suggested Bet – PATRON OF KINGS WIN


RACE 5

STORMY TAWNY went back at her first start for Grant & Alana Williams and flashed home into fourth behind Jelly Can Run and Laquetta’s Gift. She’s won races leading in the past so from barrier 1 she can kick through to either lead or box seat on the back of the speed and from either of those positions she looks hard to beat. MAMA TEMBU was $12 into $4.60 last Wednesday and ran another honest fourth. That race was 7L faster than C3 average so no surprise to see punters follow-up. Running out of chances. SALACIA QUEEN was never a hope last start the way the race was run. Forgive and forget. KELORA is going well.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 7 – 10

Suggested Bet – STORMY TAWNY WIN


RACE 6

DON’T TRUST JUDAS looks the kind of horse who can work his way through the grades. Eye-catching at his return to racing when settling a mile off them in the run and getting within 3.5L late of Miss Ava and subsequent winner Indie Ruler. Went around $1.45 last start and did what he had to. Looking for further and from the ideal draw he should be going close again. ROMMEL’S WAR improved sharply second-up. First time she’s ever raced in a C1 and was only 2L off them in the 2022 Natasha and WA Oaks. KISSES FROM KELLY continues to run massive races without breaking through. ARROW SONG was a sound return.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 5 – 8

Suggested Bet – DON’T TRUST JUDAS WIN


RACE 7

RULELEE is an honest mare who should enjoy the right run tucked away behind the speed. This race has many, many winning chances and should nearly be eachway the field. Almost pinched a 60+ Graduation first-up when nosed out by Honey Dew and since then has run reasonable races without much racing luck. Love the Duchess Of Gossip form and Rulelee rarely runs a bad race. LONG WEEKEND went on a winning spree at Kalgoorlie last campaign winning 5 on the bounce. Handy trial. DIVINE FLIRT is rarely far from the action and has a senior back on. LOOPY’S BABY looks an ideal Pike sit sprinter.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 3 – 7

Suggested Bet – RULELEE EACHWAY


RACE 8

RUBY NOIR looks to have found her race on what looks a big W.Pike type program. Last Wednesday she tried hard behind Niigata and now on the 7 day back-up she’s again drawn to enjoy an identical run in transit and this race looks very winnable for her. She’s back to her best and her best is easily good enough to win this. ZAZA ROCK is the X-Factor runner in the race. First time at a staying trip but she’s won her last two in style. Works forward and parks up in a prominent position throughout. CREZEE is not easy to catch but capable on his day. BLUE CARD an improver with no weight on his back.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 3 – 11

Suggested Bet – RUBY NOIR WIN


Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

5,6,7

2,4,5

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9

5,6

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