3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Scone meeting. Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 - 12:40PM AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (900 METRES)
6. Lake Tana is shaping up well with two trial wins ahead of her debut and she has the draw to be right on speed over the short trip. Like to see some market support but on her trials she should run well.
Dangers: 2. Retiro raced outside the leader and just weakened late first-up over 1100m at Kensington. Fitter for that and comes back in trip so has the chance to put himself right in the finish. 5. Don't Doubt Katie was solid in betting on debut and made some leeway on a heavy track at Tamworth into fourth place. Likely improver back on top of the ground and is one of the chances. 9. She's Contrary wasn't asked for a whole lot in winning her trial here on July 28. Local and draws one and worth throwing into the mix.
How to play it: Lake Tana E/W ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 2 - 1:15PM HUNGERFORD HILL CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1700 METRES)
7. Narrated is a little on the short side but hasn't done a lot wrong on wet tracks this time in. Led and had her chance at Goulburn last time, battling on into third. Up in distance and is a good chance.
Dangers: 8. Mantinello is a maiden after five starts and probably found the 2100m a shade far at Wyong though she did hit the lead before the turn. Distance drop likely in her favour so worth another chance. 1. Daysan is an interesting import from the Kris Lees stable and bears close watching. Some improvement into his second trial and kicking off at this trip has to suit. Watch betting as this is winnable. 2. Flash Panther made ground from well off them when resuming at a mile at Gosford and the bigger track is a plus for him. Must be considered.
How to play it: Narrated WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 - 1:50PM YARRAMAN PARK MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
2. Alight The Night was very green on debut but kept coming to be beaten half a length at Tamworth on a soft 7. Better for that and the mile on a firmer track should be a plus. Looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 1. Trojan Hero ran into second at big odds at Newcastle two starts ago then looked gone before the turn but picked up to run fourth at a mile at Wyong. Good chance to break through. 4. Front Row Ticket was runner-up over this course two runs back then made some ground without threatening at Muswellbrook. Had a few chances but an each-way hope here. 5. Intense Passion has been racing fairly on wet tracks of late so could be an improver on firmer going here. That said he's had 12 attempts without success.
How to play it: Alight The Night WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 - 2:25PM COASTLINE POOLS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. McNair is on the way up and showed plenty of purpose to run them down over a mile at Taree and while this is a small step up he's hard to fault this time in. Can be expected to be in the finish again.
Dangers: 2. Unrelenting had the right run and loomed up but just battled late when fourth at Wyong two weeks ago. Small class drop here so entitled to another chance. 1. Controlthewitness was a Gosford winner on a heavy track in June then safely held at Canterbury also on a heavy track a month ago. Blinkers go on, gate one and 3kg claim are all pluses so he can improve. 4. Super Solar was never in the hunt at Kembla Grange last time but his two previous efforts were sound enough. Blinkers come off and can certainly be placed.
How to play it: McNair WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 - 3:05PM PFD FOODS CLASS 1 HANDICAP (900 METRES)
1. Bourbon Flyer is back as a gelding after a handy first preparation including a debut Kensington win. Won a trial looking quite smooth and expect he'll press forward from the gate over the short course.
Dangers: 3. Capital Reign was very green winning on debut at Canberra then led and run down at 1100m at Warwick Farm in April. Synthetic trial winner leading into this and will give a good sight. 4. Minniti was strong late in breaking through over this course on August 3 and if they overdo it up front she'll be hitting the line hard again. Keep in mind. 2. Havin' Fun could find the 900m a bit short but she's been competitive in better races than this one so is a big watch fresh.
How to play it: Bourbon Flyer WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 - 3:40PM HUNTER VALLEY PREMIUM MEATS MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
13. Mascherata had little luck in her first two starts in Sydney on wet tracks in the autumn and is a big watch here. Latest trial was an excellent pointer to a big first-up run and expecting a strong showing.
Dangers: 11. In The Blink caught the eye first-up running on from last at the 400m into fifth behind Laurelin at Kensington three weeks ago. Scratched from Newcastle on Wednesday for this and she should be hard to hold out. 8. Rebel County has done nothing wrong in his two trials at Rosehill leading into this debut. He's drawn okay and could be over the odds. 6. Lo Lo Lonhro wasn't pressured in running fourth behind Hilal in his only public trial this time around, having trialled in February. Draws well and likely to be competitive.
How to play it: Mascherata WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 - 4:20PM SHARP OFFICE BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
9. Artie's Aura did a big job racing wide first-up and still kept coming into second in a good form race over this course late last month. Fitter, firmer track a big plus and draws well. Looks promising and big chance to go one better. Read trainer Kody Nestor's comments here.
Dangers: 5. On Her Word is an honest mare who has been competitive in all three runs this time in on the Central Coast. She'll get every chance from a soft gate to be in the finish again. 6. She's Never Late won some very nice races last time in including a first-up win here over 1100m. No public trials so check betting for a pointer. 3. Moetta was narrowly beaten in a Highway three runs back when resuming and has been close up in two subsequent runs at that level. Should be around the mark again.
How to play it: Artie's Aura WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 8 - 4:55PM REWARD HOSPITALITY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Sammy settled well back and hit the line strongly, weaving through the field, first-up at Gosford and has found a good target here. Bigger track suits and won't get a better chance to break through for a while.
Dangers: 5. Ita is rarely far away and was favourite when closing into second on a heavy track at Goulburn two weeks ago. Has the wide gate to contend with but with even luck should be in the finish. 8. Underboss had some support when resuming and ran right up to it finishing on for second at Wyong. The extra 200m can only be in his favour and he's a good each-way chance. 3. Cheeky Nugget won at Newcastle on a heavy track before a narrow defeat at Cowra also in the wet. Another lightly raced type with a handy record and is in the mix.
How to play it: Sammy WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
