Scott Embry provides his best bets for the Thoroughbred meeting at Northam on Monday, 3rd June 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.
RACE 1
RORY'S REVENGE went around at 50-1 on debut over 1600m when rattling home into third behind Citino who has since won a C1 and races in a 66+ at Belmont on Saturday. He is now 46 days between runs at another mile on a rain affected surface and with Pike going on he likely jumps favourite. A lot to consider from a punting POV. Risky? LIEN HYPHEN was hammered in betting in a maiden handicap at York and ran well over 1920. Only faded out late. Could cross to lead again and stays out of trouble. ONLY US has shown glimpses. CARAMINT trialled better than she raced.
Numbers: 4 – 6 – 1 – 8
Suggested Bet – RORY'S REVENGE WIN
RACE 2
NATURAL GEM showed ability at trials when second to Uukhai and then ran into sharp filly Lifeisbutadream on debut at Northam. Never gave it away in the concluding stages and with natural fitness benefit and race day experience thinking she can go one better here. SUNSHINE TAFE is a 2 year old who takes on the older horses after winning both 400m jump outs in sharp time recently. She's definitely speedy. ARDENT FOX trialled nicely recently for new trainer Steele Casey and ran well on debut behind Lieutenant Dunbar TEABISCUIT went too hard out in front last start and now comes back in distance.
Numbers: 8 – 9 – 6 – 2
Suggested Bet – NATURAL GEM WIN
RACE 3
LONG WAIT split One Target and Lyrical Angel last start at 30-1. Always an element of unknown following up on one who went around at that sort of price in a maiden and hoping it wasn't just a one off performance but with Lyrical Angel and One Target running the exacta in a 3 year old 0MWLY at Belmont on Wednesday it's hard not to follow up on the form. HIT THE LIGHTS similarly ran second to Idyllic Ruler at 50-1 last start but put up a big fight. Can either reproduce? SCHNOOTS always there abouts. IHTSAKING looks a real one paced staying type.
Numbers: 9 – 8 – 6 – 4
Suggested Bet – LONG WAIT EACHWAY
RACE 4 Best Bet
ZEEZEA looks the testing material here after a very strong trial win and then a massive effort to finish second behind Saturday type filly Playing Games in a 0MWLY 1200. Drops back into a maiden and from barrier 1 can either kick through to lead or can box seat. Great race for her. CAP CAVOUR is going along alright without much luck this campaign. The run behind Oscar Charlie and Lifesibutadream was strong and last start got chopped out half way up the straight. LET SPARKS FLY went close over 1400 behind Rubick Lass at Pinjarra two back. FINAL TRADE can bounce back after a freshen.
Numbers: 9 – 5 – 8 – 6
Suggested Bet – ZEEZEA WIN
RACE 5
IMPOSSIBLE DREAM has come back to racing bigger and better this time in. Maiden win was strong beating subsequent winner Almaya and then went to a 0MWLY when finishing 1.5L off Playing Games and Zeezea (in Race 4) and was held up the entire when looking to have something to offer. Going super. ZING TO WIN was an average trial behind Pearly Nuggett and then a much improved trial when beating proven Saturday type Berbere. Consistency has been a struggle so far in his career but this is a nice starting point for him. CELEBRITY ICON will no doubt improve over further but watch her first-up run last preparation in a 60+ Graduation over 1200. ODIN OMEN is first-up no trial and a watch.
Numbers: 5 – 7 – 9 – 4
Suggested Bet – IMPOSSIBLE DREAM WIN
RACE 6
BELLE JOURNEE has been very popular in this preview over the last few weeks and we were able to put the heartbreak of a bizarre non-Pike winning photo finish behind us with a strong last start victory in a far easier watch. Same grade, same track, 200m less distance but Pike sticks and she's got versatility. Arguably goes better when saved up for a run and see no reason why she can't be hard to beat again. AGASSI gets a 1.5kg weight swing to try and turn the tables and if it pours over the weekend he'll be a big beneficiary. 3/5 wins are on a Heavy. SPECIAL SORT is accepted Saturday but if scratching to save for this must be respected. SWIM THROUGH is an enigma.
Numbers: 8 – 5 – 1 – 3
Suggested Bet – BELLE JOURNEE WIN
RACE 7
DESENNEA is racing a length or two below his best but this is a really nice race that Jordan Rolfe has found for him. On 27 April he contested a 66+ 1600 when going around $2.10 favourite, in that same event Lord Gannicus jumped $5 and now with the rider changes there's a 2kg swing in favour of Desennea to turn around a 1L margin and he'll go around double figures. Maps well and hopefully a trip to Northam can change his fortunes. LORD GANNICUS was scratched last weekend with a hoof abscess. Missed a run but finds a great race. YARRALEA is going better than her last three suggest. COUNT THE SESSIONS can be hard to catch but is capable.
Numbers: 1 – 2 – 9 – 7
Suggested Bet – DESENNEA EACHWAY
RACE 8
LOVA SESSION is 1 from 18 – so she certainly has found winning a bit difficult throughout her career, however, she's finished second in both of her runs for new trainer Adam Durrant and they've both been in Westspeed Platinum grade. Drops back into a C3 and maps to get every possible chance. Now or never. SNIP'S ROCK put it all together last start and finally broke through for a deserved win. Can go on with it now. LINDEN'S GOLD is a tricky horse to ride but if Chanel Cooper can keep him out of trouble he's in good enough form to win. LITTLE SILVER has 60.5kg to lump over 1600 which could be a stretch.
Numbers: 3 – 8 – 1 – 2
Suggested Bet – LOVA SESSION WIN
Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)
4,5,6,7,9
1,5,8
1,2,3,5,7,9,11
1,3,8
Click here for Monday's TABtouch Northam Markets.
