Scott Embry provides his best bets for the Thoroughbred meeting at Geraldton on Wednesday, 17th April 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.
RACE 1
LIPS DON'T LIE was having her first start in WA when going around a $6 chance in a relatively deep race that contained Centre Bond, Belta of a Song, Cruise to Rio and Petite Vitesse. She was held up the entire length of the straight and never got a crack at them at any stage. Nice draw, country maiden, top jock, looks a nice race for her. A LOT OF CLASS went around 100-1 on debut but actually caught the eye late behind Hanoi Miss. Keep safe. LOOK HERE PUNK has been the target of money on more than a few occasions throughout his 17 start maiden career. SONIC RULER showed speed last start and kicked on okay.
Numbers: 6 – 4 – 1 – 11
Suggested Bet – LIPS DON'T LIE WIN
RACE 2
STRUCK BY LUCK lead them up last start in a 1400m maiden and was only run down late by Pull The Trigger, who is a few classes above what this race contains. In the process of leading and kicking he beat home five of his local rivals and looks to get his chance here in an open and even maiden. SCENERY ended up back in the field on a day where you simply had to be close handy at Ascot. Forgiving that. He's going along better than it looks. MYSTERY BULLET was only 3.5L off them at Pinjarra last Wednesday. AUSSIE EURO has been thereabouts of recent times.
Numbers: 5 – 2 – 6 – 10
Suggested Bet – STRUCK BY LUCK WIN
RACE 3
THE CHIEF JUSTICE won't see a weaker 51+ any time soon. He's a lightly raced 4 year old who can track the speed set by Admiral Husson and be the first horse to go past him half way up the straight. Beaten margins in his recent trials at Belmont but by horses with far more ability than anything in this. MAKE MINE SUPER was a big maiden winner last start and realistically this is not a lot deeper. Can measure up. PURE DYNAMITE always races ~ month between runs and tries hard. DARK PEAK finds a new home and looks really well weighted after the claim. Was a c68 only 12 months ago, now a c61.
Numbers: 3 – 4 – 5 – 2
Suggested Bet – THE CHIEF JUSTICE WIN
RACE 4
GOLDEN FIGHTER won a 60+ Graduation at Ascot three starts ago and since then hasn't been far off them at all. Last start was a 66+ behind Rupert's Empire / Capital Flight / Thomas Magnum / Triple Jay / Madam Kisses and co. That looks like excellent form for an 1100m dash like this. DEFENDING was backed from $3 into $1.80 on Geraldton Cup Day in the 70+ 1200 and was able to (just) gun down quality local mare Dream To Me. Rises up 1.5kg here and drops back to 1100m which is on the short side for him. THREE SESSIONS was a big improver last start. ARABIAN RICHES can look to hold Golden Fighter early.
Numbers: 5 – 2 – 4 – 3
Suggested Bet: GOLDEN FIGHTER WIN
RACE 5 Best Bet
IDENTIFIER broke her maiden at her first start for Gordon Spowart over 1200m and then loomed large second-up before blowing out late and finishing third behind Bayhara and Dark Mist over 1400. Dropped back to 1200m on Cup Day and was beaten a head. Tracks the speed, presents at the right time and this race looks softer than last start. Right place, right time. SAFE HUSTLE has had a long preparation but is capable of bouncing back after a disappointing display last start. Prior form was excellent. FROST DAVID is fresh off 55 days and can use the barrier. PEPPI GROVE a hard mare to catch.
Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 11
Suggested Bet – IDENTIFIER WIN
RACE 6
BAYHARA has turned a corner. Only four starts ago was beaten nearly 4L by Miff Muffered Moof at 20-1 but since then the last three outings have been outstanding. Flashed late behind Bondi's Future, successful on protest over Dark Mist and last start could have finished a lot closer to Rockstar Status with less traffic on straightening. Flying. MIFF MUFFERED MOOF drops back into a C2 after racing in the Batavia, a 58+ (when held tight up the home straight) and the Abrohlos Plate. Better placed. EGG WHITE has been going well all preparation. Back to a mile a minor query. DARK MIST didn't show up last start.
Numbers: 5 – 6 – 1 – 7
Suggested Bet – BAYHARA WIN
RACE 7
WELL PLAYED has been a wonderful acquisition for Albert Bowtell's stable this season. His team is lethal this season: 20 starters, 7 winners, 8 minors at a 35% winning strike rate and a 75% place strike rate. Incredible statistics and when you think about his horses like Well Played, Sauvegarde and Westozi it's hard to think of a time they've put in a bad run. The mare is in form and continues to go from strength to strength. SORAIS finished off as well as anything in the Abrolhos Plate after gunning them down at 1213m the start prior. Big danger. SPIRIT MAN was good in a 70+ last start. HAMMARMILLL is going below her best.
Numbers: 3 – 4 – 2 – 1
Suggested Bet – WELL PLAYED WIN
Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)2,3,5
1,2,5
1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10
2,3,4
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