Races

Scott Embry’s Wednesday Belmont Preview

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

RACE 1

EXTRA SECRET can park on the back of likely leader War Hymn and follow her every move. Given every chance by Pike first-up in this grade when sitting one out and one back getting the job done over Saturn Black who has since run a big second to Rulelee. Gets all the favours along the inside and is well weighted after the claim. HAMMARMILL is a talented mare. She hasn’t raced for 7 weeks, has to carry 60kg and likely settles last in the field of 6 but her turn of foot is electric. Nice mare. WAR HYMN was a horror watch last start when attacked in the middle stages and then knocked around in the home straight. She’s ready. LUCKY SUE has put two wins in a row together and enjoys a near identical run in transit to her last two wins.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – EXTRA SECRET WIN

RACE 2

VALSASSINA has had two trials to prepare her for her return to races and has won both trials without blinkers. Shades attached for race day and first-up last preparation (on debut) she finished fourth behind winners Bustler, Work In Progress and Hang Glider, finishing ahead of Jeanella. While she’s a maiden in a 3 year old 0MWLY this has been re-handicapped to a 50+ and the field of 7 only contains 3 maiden winners. Not a strong line-up and a nice starting point for her. LIEUTENANT DUNBAR worked very hard last start and was brave in the finish. Costazita looks like a Saturday horse and provided he gets across he’ll be in the finish. NO PEER is drawn really awkwardly but her overall race form is strong. ENCHANTING SOUND won well at her return.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – VALSASSINA WIN

RACE 3

WORK IN PROGRESS should enjoy the run of the race leader’s back following either Wuhan Warrior or Beach West into the race. From there we bank on Chris Parnham finding clear air on straightening. If the gaps appear she looks above average and now that she’s had the confidence boosting win she can go on with it. REANTO meets her 2kg better and never got a crack in the home straight at his return. Willing to follow him. BEACH WEST may have to park outside of Wuhan Warrior, but if she was to cross its game on. She’s quick. BRIGHID is likely to get back and will attack the line.

Numbers: 7 – 4 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet – WORK IN PROGRESS WIN

RACE 4

MAHALEO looks poised to strike third-up. Think that Wise Counsel will get across from the outside and roll them along and from there Clint Johnston-Porter can have Mahaleo tracking the lead and likely has his main rival in Birdieagle to his outside. Thye clashed at Ascot on 7 December and Mahaleo gets a 2.5kg weight swing on Birdieagle for a half length defeat. Sat three deep the trip last start and still kept coming late. Shades on first time and the inside gate to help his cause. BIRDIEAGLE backs up off 6 days and is going through the grades nicely. He parks up over the speed and is tough. WISE COUNSEL comes right up in grade but he gets some weight relief and strikes a race without much tempo. THROGOOD has returned in good order.

Numbers: 3 – 2 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – MAHALEO WIN

RACE 5

ALBRIGHT is the half sister to Group One winner and former stable star Elite Street. She went out on debut over 1200, got back and was rattling home and ran right through the line. From the wide gate expecting her to park in the three deep train and unleash late in the race. Looks a pretty weak maiden and she really caught the eye on debut. ZAZA ROCK was well found in betting on debut at a price and those clever punters were a bit stiff to only collect place money. Looks the obvious danger. RAGING BEAUTY comes through some cracking form races. BIGSPIDER has some X-Factor about him.

Numbers: 13 – 11 – 6 – 1

Suggested Bet – ALBRIGHT WIN

RACE 6

GAGE ROADS and ROLLED GOLD both come through the same C1 behind Laquetta’s Gift who on Sunday ran a narrow second to talented filly Feels Playful. That looks the best form reference race and from the ideal draw it’s hard to tip past Gage Roads. He’ll be short but he should enjoy a soft run over the speed and looks to have some upside. ROLLED GOLD was just hitting top gear late in the race at his return. Bar plates come off and he can settle much closer from a more favourable draw. FRENCH CHILL is likely to roll across from a sticky alley. FRIES WITH THAT scored a deserved win last start and can lead or box seat.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – GAGE ROADS WIN

RACE 7

MAGIC TO EXCEED has raced in Saturday company over the vast majority of his life. His last 7 outings have been in higher grade and he is a Belmont Park 60+ Graduation 1200m winner beating Multinational (won three in the preparation including beating Buster Bash in a 72+). Really well placed back into a C3 by a highly inform training operation. Hard to knock. FOREVER AUTUMN was better than it reads on paper first-up over the 1000. Should enjoy a far better run from a more favourable alley here. SABINO backs up off 7 days and can stalk the speed. Has been plenty of money around for him his last couple. KING CRUZER has ability but is a hard horse to follow.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 5 – 3

Suggested Bet – MAGIC TO EXCEED WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,3,4

11,13

3,4

1,2,5

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