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Scott Embry provides his best bets for the Thoroughbred meeting at York on Thursday, 23rd May 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.

RACE 1

ANTIQUE QUEEN is no star but Michael Grantham's team is flying at the minute and from the draw William Pike can put the mare to sleep and allow the race to unfold in front of him before putting her into contention late. Looks the kind of maiden handicap she could pinch. 1920 will test most of these. COVENTRY REEF has always shown glimpses of staying type ability. The natural query is barrier 1 – if he gets caught three back the fence then it'll be difficult for him to pick up and sprint at a circuit like York. AGRABAH can be put into the race. MISTRESS OF WAR ran well last Thursday.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bet – ANTIQUE QUEEN WIN

RACE 2

FINADO finds this lengths easier than his two runs to date. From his trials he looked a jump and run type so the York circuit should suit him – just let him stride over the first 600 and see whether you can break them open and turn it into a high speed contest. Nice race for him. PRIZED JEWEL looms as a big danger. This is also far easier than anything she has contested to date and from barrier 5 she'll be able to keep Finado within striking distance. KERMELIA should get every favour along the fence. PAVLIANI an improver at start number 3 in WA.

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 4 – 7

Suggested Bet – FINADO WIN

RACE 3

INCANDESCENT LADY has a senior going on and can find the front here. Think that a maiden handicap like this, especially if able to lead, is the kind of race this mare could pinch. Likely to go round eachway in betting and has been racing well enough to figure here. ABISSI has to carry the weight against horses who have raced but this race doesn't seem to have a lot of depth on paper. Recent trial contained Sunlit Fresco (races in a C1 on Wednesday) he must be respected. EXTRAORDINARY GIRL has the best race form in the race, however, is drawn barrier 10 of 10 which makes things harder. VERNACULAR a forgive first-up.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – INCANDESCENT LADY EACHWAY

RACE 4

HEYFIELD BOOMER has been a great pick up for the in form Mack Hall yard. Winner of two of his last three and looks to have found another very suitable assignment. No surprise to see him make it three from his last four. Reaping the rewards of good placement. SPREAD THE RUMOUR is a sharp type resuming and if he had drawn inside of Heyfield Boomer the tip would most certainly of been round the other way. Can still win. VILLAGE GIRL is a handy mare for this grade of racing. Ike Racing had her nominated for a couple of races at Belmont on Wednesday and for this race at York on Thursday and have elected to go around here. BERRY BERRY GOOD next best.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – HEYFIELD BOOMER WIN

RACE 5    Best Bet 

STORM LORD has been going really well of late and looks to be afforded a great chance to break a long run of outs. They've tried him over a bit of ground in recent starts but thinking the 1300m at York is about his sweet spot. Fourth in a C3 behind Rommel's Jeuney and subsequent winner Belle Journee reads up very nicely. Well placed and looks hard to beat. BAY STREET has his first start in WA and will likely need further than this (last 8 starts have been over 1600m+) and his recent trial suggested he'll need every inch of the 1300, however, Michael Grantham puts W.Pike on which will always command respect. REAL SENOR is going well and can lead this from the inside. MAKIN PROPHETS fresh at 1300 can sprint well.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet – STORM LORD WIN

RACE 6

PACIFIC LADY looks like she wants to get things over and done with in her races. Could be her own worst enemy with her racing manners but no doubt Pike will get the best out of her and her recent trial was good enough to give this a shake first-up. Even race with plenty of winning chances and a lot of clashing form references. ZAC LUVS TO FLY loves to race in these 46+ / 52+ type country ratings races. Whenever Chris Stelmach finds one for him he invariably goes well and after the claim he's in with a winnable weight first-up. RISING COMMODITY always a chance at York. SPEEDY NOVA going well.

Numbers: 5 – 1 – 8 – 6

Suggested Bet – PACIFIC LADY WIN

RACE 7

DIVINE JUDGEMENT should be a big improver heading back to the 'home' circuit. 3 from 3 undefeated at York and should come on quickly first-up to second-up. 1500m looks a nice stepping stone towards some races over further but thinking that he can win this on the way through. CANGGU looks well placed in a York race of this nature. Ran into some nice ones recently in Class races. LUCKY HEART is always there abouts in anything from 1500 to 2200 and has been in consistent form for a while now. LOOK HERE PUNK is a last start maiden winner who is suited in this grade.

Numbers: 1 – 9 – 2 – 3

Suggested Bet – DIVINE JUDGEMENT WIN

RACE 8

GOD'S GARDEN is extremely well placed here. Hasn't had the most successful of preparations but hasn't been that far off them in races much deeper than this. Fully fit, well placed, well mapped and should be going close here and in a race where many dangers in the market are going to concede her a head start she gets her chance. DUTCH POR steps out in distance and may look to use the downhill to his advantage at some stage. WOZZECK is not an easy horse to follow and can't imagine he's an easy horse to ride. RIDING HOOD FAME an improver now that she's out to her preferred distance range.

Numbers: 4 – 3 – 1 – 10

Suggested Bet – GOD'S GARDEN WIN

Quaddie (Race 6 – 9)

2,4

2,5,6

2,3,4,5,7

1,7

Click here for Thursday's  TABtouch  York Markets.

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