3 minute read

While the main focus for Luke Pepper is on far loftier occasions with his mighty mare Opal Ridge, it’s business as usual with some emerging prospects at his home track Scone TAB meeting on Friday.

Luke Pepper highly successful combination with star apprentice Anna Roper offers value, in particular their last start impressive Newcastle winner Press the Pedal ($15 into $11 on TAB).

"He's our best for the day, massive unit, lovely turn of foot, drew the extreme outside at Newcastle but Anna got him across and he kept finding, inside gate here, certainly can take it further," Luke enthused.

That day Press the Pedal certainly did with outstanding early speed.

The Press Statement gelding contests the Farnham Ist Yearling Class 1, 1300m which is a particularly strong class 1.

There are four last start winners entered, including prospects from the Cavanough and Grills stable, respectively Starry Jack ($6) and Eighty Eight Stars ($5).

The latter highly impressive winning from just behind the pace with Aaron Bullock at Tamworth who retains the ride.

Luke has an opinion of debut gelding Fifty Five Mustang who is $8.50 into $8 in the Portland Sky @ Widden 1000m Maiden.

"Showed enough ability in three trials at home, he likely wants further and race experience but a progressive type."

And the main event?

Opal Ridge in the $2 million The Invitation for fillies and mares at headquarters on Saturday after her super second to Front Page in The Kosciuszko.

"More in her favour with the rain about, out to 1400m and drawn in, she's as good as she's ever been.

"Her run was enormous, the way the track was playing and the times they were running, you'd have needed to set a world record to run down a genuine Group sprinter."

Scone is presently a Good 4 in under overcast skies.