Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

Race 1

PLAYING SOLO only had two starts last preparation and neither were outstanding, in fact second-up he was an alarming drifter late in betting, but he has trialled up well this time around and should hold a spot midfield in a thin and suitable race fresh. Does look more mature this time campaign and see no reason why he can’t resume a winner. KUTE AS CAN BE has to run out a strong 1200m which is a query, but only 51.5kg after the Jefferson Tsang claim helps and none of the chasers have a lot of fear factor. CALL ME INVINCIBLE is through the same race and had every chance. XELCIMUS has ability but does so much wrong.

Numbers: 9 – 12 – 2 – 8

Suggested Bet – PLAYING SOLO WIN

Race 2

BLUE SPARX ran well on debut in a hot maiden at Bunbury that contained sharp filly Quedjinup and then second-up was annihilated in betting ($16 into $3.30) before running third to Eye of the Sun. That race produced highly impressive subsequent winner Raw Umber and looks the strongest form race of these. Should have no excuses from the draw. BOUTIQUE BELLE has trialled well leading into her return but she has been costly in a short career to date. They’ve ridden her forward, they’ve ridden her rearward and are yet to really figure her out. FALLEN CITY can roll forward from the wide gate and make use of the 53.5kg. PERFUME PRINCESS gets a senior rider on and draws to land leader’s back.

Numbers: 10 – 7 – 12 – 11

Suggested Bet – BLUE SPARX WIN

Race 3

MODERN GIRL put on a speed clinic at Bunbury. She did meet with support at odds in her returning run and was afforded no luck at all from a wide gate, and off the back of that solid return she was plunged into odds on (from $3) and never looked like losing. She stopped the clock nearly 5L faster than maiden average and that puts her in good stead to head into a C1 and record back to back wins. Different horse this time around. BRINSON is a real X-Factor and unknown commodity. Only a Yarra Valley maiden winner but has speed and draws under her main danger. HEZ GOT THE SAFE probably needed a cutaway in play to be a winning chance? DON’T WINK always attacks the line well.

Numbers: 6 – 5 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – MODERN GIRL WIN

Race 4

BACK TO BONDI has been building and building into the campaign. If you take away his first-up run at 1200m where he was simply run off his legs from start to finish then his next three have all been good enough to win this. Two back was just outside the money behind Jazalot, Refemme No Angel (now 60+ Grad placed) and Articole and then last time out skipped clear on straightening before running out of petrol tickets late. Back into a C1, great use of the 1.5kg Nottle claim and looks ready to win. SOLO VEGA has also put the writing on the wall in two runs back. Enormous first-up after missing the kick and then second-up encountered a few traffic issues early in the straight. PURE MAC was a nice return but could be immediately looking for further. GRANDAD’S ADDICTION knows how to run second!

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – BACK TO BONDI WIN

Race 5

AWESOME FORCE is now out to the full staying trip of a 2100m. He’s been consistently hitting the line throughout his career and has always looked a midweek staying type in the making. Time to test that theory and in an open and even 53+ we’ll get to see exactly where he’s at. The horse who beat him last week at Bunbury (Let’s Take A Chance) would be $1.60 in a field like this. MUST BE NICE is a big, strong, imposing type who has started to put it all together this preparation. Coming off a C2 win at Kalgoorlie where he was far too classy for his rivals. HOT LIKE CHILLI deserves to win one after running back to back minors. Knocking on the door. DELICATE WARRIOR appreciated getting out in trip to break his maiden.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 12 – 3

Suggested Bet – AWESOME FORCE EACHWAY

Race 6

HURRICANE HARLEY is a more than capable galloper produced fresh by a stable whose horses fly off a similar preparation. He’s versatile – he can lead, he can sit, he can swoop and he’s still figuring out what racing is all about. This is a nice stepping stone for him back into Saturday company. POBLANO had blinkers going on first time last start and thought she had her chance to hold out a wayward Late Arrival in the home straight. She’s certainly not quite as sharp as we saw her first-up when she got held up until the race was nearly over before zapping Zourun Run. Has been a notable late drifter in betting recently which is unusual for a Pike/Jason Miller runner. CHAMPAGNE CRUSADER hasn’t had much go his way yet this prep. LUCKY I AM is racing 5L below her best.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 4 – 6

Suggested Bet – HURRICANE HARLEY WIN

Race 7

CLASSIC RULER like all of Chris Stelmach’s horses is going super at the minute. She’s always been a better sit and sprint type and they’ve engaged the right man for the job here in Pike. They way she’s going – she’ll be rattling home late. THE ROCKET gets out to 1400m, has a 3kg claimer on and can roll to the top if nobody else wants to be there. That was the key to his success last start, ridden positively. YOU CAN CALL ME AL ran around like a drunk first-up but still had enough fire power to snatch victory in the final 50m and then second-up didn’t really get the right run at any stage in running. Drawn wide but does get back naturally and a senior back on is a positive. LATER ALLIGATOR found the 1100m too sharp fresh. Love the step immediately to 1400m.

Numbers: 11 – 7 – 8 – 3

Suggested Bet – CLASSIC RULER WIN

Race 8

ZEEZEA bolted in last start same track/distance/grade. After the Nottle claim she only rises half a kilo start to start and with a bit of a natural query on the likely favourite with the issues that she’s encountered it appeals as an equally winnable race as last start. Just needs an ounce of luck early from the draw. COSMIC SPIRIT won at Pinjarra on December 28th 2024 and then wasn’t seen at the races again until resuming at Northam on 9 July 2026. In that period away she had 5x barrier trials at Lark Hill over what looks to be at least three different preparations – she’s had serious issues. Good first-up, forgive second-up, should be nearly ready now. CHOUX SHOE is rarely far from the action when conditions suit her racing pattern. ARTIES STORM parks up close handy here in a race without speed.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – ZEEZEA WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

3,4,6,12

3,7

7,8,11

1,2,6

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