3 minute read

Scott Embry provides his best bets for the Thoroughbred meeting at Albany on Sunday, 31st March 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.

RACE 1

SIR BEAR A LOT has now had three runs and finished in the money on all three occasions. Most recently was first-up no trial and was beaten half a length by How Pretty who came out and won again at Geraldton on Wednesday to frank the form. Gets every chance from the draw. PLAYS WITH MAGIC was right on his heels after leading and carries the same weight for a senior as she did on debut under an apprentice. SANTERIA almost pinched it last start. First 600m was run 13L slower than average and it took a handy one in State Of Fury to grab her late. THE MIGHTY BUTCH finds a new home and has shown ability from time to time.

Numbers: 3 – 7 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet – SIR BEAR A LOT WIN

RACE 2

SHOULDER PATCH resumed at Geraldton over 1400m and was doing his best work late when finishing runner-up to Stay Astern. He should only improve for the outing and any extra distance is going to be to his liking. No star but faces a field of maidens who have had plenty of chances and he still looks like he's got improvement to come. BELLE NOIRE hasn't raced for a month but since joining Paul Hunter has put in two solid runs. KAMAKAZI SHOOTER has his second outing for the new stable and looks like he'll measure up. PUNTERS PILOT has gone close on a few occasions this time in.

Numbers: 6 – 11 – 8 – 2

Suggested Bet – SHOULDER PATCH WIN

RACE 3    Best Bet 

HOT CHATTER went into last start 6 weeks between runs and was only nabbed on the post by King Hallowell who had a massive pull in the weights on him after the Chanel Cooper 4kg claim. She drops 1.5kg here on her last start effort with Casey Martinan going on and thinking she can turn the tables on him. Last time they met he beat HEZA BEAU and there's only half a kilo difference between them this time round. HEEZA BEAU won impressively on debut and then was tipped out after his second career outing. He's got genuine upside and must be respected. KING HALLOWELL beat Hot Chatter at their recent encounter and has a couple of minor gear changes made. MY LOVELY PET should get every chance from the inside draw.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Suggested Bet – HOT CHATTER WIN

RACE 4

BEAU ZOOM resumed off a 6 week let-up in the inaugural running of the $350,000 Wellington & Reeves Bluff Knoll. He was beaten 10L but at the same time he was carrying 1kg more than Oscar's Fortune (m74 vs m101) so it was no surprise from a weights and measures perspective that he got beaten out of sight. Drops back into a c70+ and if he can reproduce his runs from the Fitzpatrick Plate or Mt Barker sprint behind Supersession he can bounce back to the winner's circle. MEGA REWARD carries no weight and his runs in 60+ Graduations last preparation measure up in this. HENRY THE AVIATOR drops 5.5kg on his first-up effort and looks hard to hold out. STORM COMMANDER rarely runs a bad race.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – BEAU ZOOM WIN

RACE 5

GAGE ROADS has his first outing for Steve Wolfe and he drops him back into a c58+ after he raced exclusively in the metro/provincial area in his last few campaigns. He hasn't won out of turn across his career but he's raced in better company than what he meets here and he's always gone around well supported in the market place. The fact that Shaun McGruddy is on this one is the lead we needed. Big watch first-up. PENNIES GALORE has run them into the ground at her last two and will look to again burn across from out wide. DANUBE RIVER was scratched from a winnable race at Belmont 11 days ago. COCOON BAY is a consistent mare suited to this grade of racing.

Numbers: 2 – 5 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – GAGE ROADS WIN

RACE 6

PRO IS HERE has grown a leg since he headed down to Esperance. Was running midfield in C2 races at Albany and then Jon Jachmann took his team on a road trip to the Bay of Isles and since then PRO IS HERE has won a C2 1300, a 58+ 1400 and most recently lead throughout to win a 70+ 1500. Drops back into a 58+ 1500, jumps, runs and should be there for a long way. Does rise 7.5kg coming back in grade but he's holding form brilliantly. FLOPPY won well on Bluff Knoll Day and gets a similar run in transit here. SUN CHACEN has a big L600 on him when he's on song. STAR IN TIME was hammered in betting in the Ladies Bracelet but was attacked throughout before fading late.

Numbers: 1 – 4 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – PRO IS HERE WIN

RACE 7

TONIS SPIRIT has no doubt been aimed at the Albany Cup – Geraldton Cup double all preparation. She resumed off a 54-day let up in the Detonator Stakes before heading to the Bunbury Cup second-up. Instead of progressing onto the 2300m of the Pinjarra Cup trainer Jordan Rolfe instead elected to trial her over 1450m on Monday at Lark Hill and she arrogantly dispensed with them down the outside fence in nothing more than a track gallop. Not convinced on barrier 1 but love the way she's going. CURRIMUNDI carries 60.5kg but he's the class runner of the race and he's giving the indication he'll stay. MANAVENDRA won the Esperance Cup impressively. BEATS OF WAR was a bizarre drifter in the Great Southern Cup but was never getting beat in running.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 4 – 5

Suggested Bet – TONIS SPIRIT WIN

RACE 8

YES OF COURSE is a one paced miler who just needs to be allowed to roll along and take the sprint out of his rivals legs. He won a C2 1920 two starts back and ran the first 1200 19L faster than average – they were off their feet late but he was too tough for them. Last start he dropped back to a mile and couldn't get away from them at any stage. Fingers crossed he can kick through to lead from barrier 1 because this looks winnable for him. SALARY MAN has always raced like he would get ground. SCHUHBECK is going better than numerical form suggest. STAY WEALTHY kept coming behind Jolly Odd.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 8 – 2

Suggested Bet – YES OF COURSE WIN

Quaddie (Race 5 – 8)

2,3,5,7

1,2,4

1,2,3,4,5,8

3,5,8

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