3 minute read
The track is a Soft 5 with the rail out 1m the entire circuit.
Race 1 (1:25pm) OLDKNOW EARTHMOVING & HAUL. SH'CASE CL1 & MDN PLATE (1600M)
Another testing read on a rain-hit track as we open over the mile. Keen on tough provincial mare 7. Mopitts ($6 on TAB) who powered home to win a deep maiden here two runs back, before again doing her best work late in a stronger mile race when forced to make a sustained wide run from the 800m.
Dangers: Include 5. Nothing's Sacred ($2.40 favourite) who bolted in his maiden two runs back in soft ground and draws to use tactical speed, and 9. Surf ($7.50) who is hard fit for this trip and is sneaking a little further down in the weights.
How to play it: Mopitts to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 2 (2:00pm) AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK STARMAKER 2YO HANDICAP (1000M)
Now the juveniles turn, and most are on debut. Keen on filly 8. Dawntillarvi ($2.40 fav) who covered ground on debut but still won impressively.
Dangers: Beautifully bred 5. He's Purring ($2.60), by Japanese powerhouse Maurice and out of a mare by a Golden Slipper-winner, took command of a trial and won easy, although that was on a good rating. Keep safe debutant Astern filly 9. Do As You're Told ($5) after three trials.
How to play it: Dawntillarvi to win and box exacta 5,8,9
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 (2:35pm) GLEN GALLIC STUD SHOWCASE 3YO & UP COUNTRY MDN PLATE (1000M)
Plenty of chances again with new ones on show. Scone filly and first starter 17. Ceasefire ($2.70 fav) looks a nice one in the making. Trialled nicely showing early pace before dropping them on the turn and winning easily. By emerging sire Panzer Division who was smart on wet tracks.
Dangers: Watch the betting about 9. Lord Bronn ($5) who resumes for a smart Scone stable bypassing the official trials. Another one from Scone, 11. Quan ($4) resumes off an easy trial for a very astute stable but first time on rain-affected ground. Both 12. Cheval Cat ($8) resuming, and consistent enough filly 13. Lionsteps ($19) are knockout hopes.
How to play it: Ceasefire to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 4 (3:10pm) ALLWELD SERVICES SPRINT SHOWCASE BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1000M)
Down to a small field now. Smart Scone four-year-old 1. Leo ($2.15 fav) has been given plenty of time since a terrific first-up Highway win. Handles wet tracks but will need to get over from the outside gate.
Dangers: Resuming mare 7. Pearl Roan ($4.20) is suited at this track and trip but won't want it too wet; while 10. Bit Of A Beauty ($5) is hard fit and bred to handle any significant track downgrades.
How to play it: Leo to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 5 (3:45pm) GODOLPHIN TIARA - F&M BENCHMARK 74 HCP (1400M)
The girls clash here and despite just five wunners, there are plenty of chances, especially if the track is seriously downgraded. Smart Scone five-year-old 9. She's Never Late ($6.50) is up in trip off an eight-week break but has the finish to win on a lighter weight. Wasn't far off some good ones at metro BM 72 level in late spring and she performs in the wet.
Dangers: Consistent 8. She's Independent ($7.50) is suited in the ground and down in weight, although a query on whether the inside barrier is any advantage. Scone mare 3. Chambermaid ($1.90 fav) ran on okay here in the deeper Country Qualifier and is treated okay at the weights back in the all-female company.
How to play it: She's Never Late to win and box exacta 3,8,9
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 (4:25pm) GALLOPING GROUP SHOWCASE CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1200M)
Another race that's taken on a whole new shape after scratchings. Lightly-raced mare 4. Hello Sunshine ($5.50) is a real wet tracker exploding away to win her maiden by seven lengths before an even run at the provincials, and she's the one to beat.
Dangers: Speedy three-year-old 11. Gumnuts ($4.80) steps up from a dominant maiden win but doesn't want it too wet. Big watch on 2. Momack ($5) who hasn't started for nine months but resumes for a high strike-rate provincial stable; while Sebring filly 13. Surooj ($4.60) resumes for a smart country stable off two trials.
How to play it: Hello Sunshine to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 (5:05pm) TODD HOWLETT RACING SHOWCASE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1400M)
Typically wide open one to finish. Perennial placegetter 7. Dream Song ($4.40) can finally win a second race fifth-up and at her 12th start dropping back to her best distance. Finished off okay over the mile at Dubbo, but is better suited here on rain-affected going and gets in well after the rider's 2kg claim.
Dangers: Ultra-consistent four-year-old 5. Dr Copper ($4.40) finished well fourth-up behind a talented one here and wet track form is okay. Improving Scone mare 14. Santa Margherita ($12) is one of the better wet track performers, with both her career wins coming on heavy ratings although facing more depth here.
How to play it: Dream Song to win
Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
R4, 1 - LEO ($2.15 fav)
R7, 7 - DREAM SONG ($4.40)
BEST VALUE
R1, 7 - MOPITTS ($6)
