Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Scott Embry’s Preview

Race 1

MY FAIR BALENTINE takes on the older horses and Shaun McGruddy gets himself down to 53.5kg to ride. Will need an ounce of luck at some stage but both efforts since returning this preparation have been excellent. Looks the one to beat. VITAL IMAGE is another three year old who impressed first-up in a race which has proven a reasonable form reference. GOD’S LAND should improve out to 1400m. SON OF THE SUN likely finds the front for the first time this prep.

Numbers: 9 – 8 – 3 – 1

Suggested Bet – MY FAIR BALENTINE WIN


Race 2

CELEBRITY QUEEN is regally bred (as are all Bob Peters’ horses) but she looked to have well above average ability. From the draw she should settle in Willy Pike’s favourite position in running and prove too good. Could be worth following. PARIS REPORT lost no admirers on debut and should improve with the race experience. SOME SORT battled on well in Saturday grade last start and should find the front comfortably. YARDMAN can improve drawn the box seat.

Numbers: 4 – 5 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – CELEBRITY QUEEN WIN


Race 3

GRAND DESIGN showed above average ability last preparation. Won from near last at Narrogin which is no easy task and then backed it up when coming to town to win impressively when well commissioned. Can position up from the gate and give this a shake. PROCONSENT has done nothing wrong and comes out running. Could quite conceivably cross them to lead and takes beating COLOURFUL CHLOE is a nice mare resuming. No vision for the trial but can’t fault the time. ORAVA was a better run than it reads on paper first-up.

Numbers: 4 – 1 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – GRAND DESIGN WIN


Race 4

TRAMONTANE was all the rage when bolting in a Lark Hill trial. Won by a space at $1.40 first-up and then the bubble burst in Saturday grade. The race was run 3.5 lengths above benchmark and he may not have been suited with a bit of sting out of the ground. Zephyr Queen franked the form on Saturday. Can bounce back here. NICKEL QUEEN does loom into races but seems to hit a flat spot around 100m out. Interesting to see where she lands in running. PLETTO has ability and will be winning races early in the prep. Watch for her late. DIAPARA is not impossible at odds.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 9 – 8

Suggested Bet – TRAMONTANE WIN


Race 5

TOO CLOSE THE SUN is the half to Trap for Fools and won convincingly in above benchmark time first-up at 1700. The step to 2100 looks in his favour and he won’t see a C1 weaker than this. He will go around at ~$1.38 but should salute for the favourite frothers out there. WILD GALAH doesn’t run a bad race. Will put himself into the race. PRINCE HAL comes from alternate form lines but with a soft run can figure in the finish. PRECIOUS CARGO came from the Too Close the Sun maiden and then bolted in. Step up in trip the query.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 6 – 4

Suggested Bet – TOO CLOSE THE SUN WIN


Race 6

BUSHFIRE BLONDE has been lumping big weights, doing it tough and seemingly spinning the wheels on rain affected tracks throughout most of the preparation. Drawn to sit in the box seat she gets her chance in a very evenly graded affair. TONKATUFF drops in grade. He has been bleeding ratings points for 18 months and gets into a very winnable race. LORD LUDLOW is ultra consistent and if he jumps cleanly should hold the front. Brave effort in defeat last start. DAWN ARMADA was able to lead and dictate last start. This is a bit tougher and she is unlikely to find the top.

Numbers: 3 – 6 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – BUSHFIRE BLONDE EACHWAY


Race 7

FRIAR AWAY has been going well all preparation and dropping from  the staying trip back to a mile here looks very suitable. Most importantly he looks like one who simply doesn’t handle the soft so a Good4 underfoot puts him right in the finish. HEAVENLY AFFAIR lumped 60 last start in her first test over a middle distance. She is the logical danger and deserving favourite. BEANIE is going through the grades and looks a stayer in the making. YEAH BRAVO next best.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet – FRIAR AWAY EACHWAY


Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

3,5,9

1

1,2,3,4,5,6,11

3,4

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