The picturesque Scone track plays host to this Saturday's stand-alone meeting where we see a strong ten-race card with big fields throughout the day.
The highlight of the day is the Group 3 Coolmore Dark Jewel Classic, as well as the Listed Arrowfield Woodlands Stakes, Listed Yarraman Park Denise's Joy Stakes , Listed Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes and the Listed Scone Equine Hospital Luskin Star Stakes.
There looks to be good value across the card, including a $4.20 best bet and $6.50 value play, read on for our preview of the full ten race card, thanks to tab.com.au.
RACE 1 – 11.05am: Yallumba Midway BM72 Handicap (1700m)
MAGNATEAR (4) progressive gelding who gives the impression the 1700m will suit. Led throughout with the 60kg when a gritty head winner over 1550m at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Has the early speed to get across from the wide draw. Can win again. PURE HYDROGEN (13) underrated gelding who drops sharply in weight today fifth-up. Powered late when third over 1870m at Newcastle on May 4. Can sit just off the speed with cover and secure a top-three placing. GO TROPPO (2) ready for this trip now after three runs back and looks good each way value. Can improve from the good gate and looks to have each way prospects. SMART LEGEND (8) holding form well and gets in light again with Jett Stanley's claim. Sat on the speed when a gritty second over 1900m at Canterbury on May 1. Form has since been franked and looks to have solid claims.
Tip: Backing Magnatear at $4.40 with tab.com.au
Race 2 – 11.40am: TAB Highway Class 3 (1600m)
DANCES WITH HOOVES (8) almost a month between runs when failed to stretch out in the heavy (9) going finishing sixth over this trip at Newcastle last Saturday. Backs-up quickly and reunites with winning rider today. Expected to go close. TOROVISTA (11) promising gelding who returned for a narrow win at the Sunshine Coast two back before facing a steep class rise when fourth over the 1600m at Eagle Farm in BM78 company on May 4. A repeat of latest will see him prove hard to stop. TOES IN THE WATER (15) consistent filly who stretches out to the mile for the first time today. Stuck on well at latest behind the promising Gentileschi when second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on May 4. This looks slightly tougher but carries no weight with the 3kg claim. Must be kept safe. ONE BEAT NO BEAT (3) locally trained filly who stalked the good tempo when a slick 1.2 len winner over 1450m at Muswellbrook. Expected to get the 1600m and winning apprentice sticks.
Tip: Backing Dances With Hooves at $8 each way with tab.com.au
RACE 3 – 12.15pm: Arrowfield Woodlands Stakes (LR) (1100m)
TOQUE (1) Street Boss filly who resumed for her second prep when a decisive maiden winner over 1100m at Canterbury on May 1. Gets control again from the inside gate and strips much fitter for this. LAZZURA (3) unwanted in betting on debut ($26), when swooped late to score in fast time over 1200m at Kembla Grange three weeks ago. Back in trip and has the figures to win again. GRACEFUL ARTIST (5) promising filly who got well out of her ground on debut before rocketing late to score a nose win over 1000m at Muswellbrook two weeks ago. Has upside and not to be underestimated. ZOUBABY (12) two career runs have been encouraging and racing like the 1100m will suit. Covered ground from the wide gate when a gritty fourth over 1000m at Warwick Farm on May 8. Can hold a forward position and secure a top-three placing.
Tip: Backing Toque at $2.80 with tab.com.au
RACE 4-12.50pm: Muswellbrook Ford BM78 Handicap (1700m)
UNUSUAL LEGACY (8) lightly raced staying type destined for better things. Nice return when strong through the line first-up, finishing fourth over 1500m at Rosehill on April 27. Undefeated second-up and looks hard to hold out. DECADENT TALE (14) kept fresh for this and brings the strongest figures here after jumping in grade when eighth in the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill over 2000m on March 30. Kept up to the mark with a sound third over 1200m in a recent trial at Newcastle on May 8. Can return to form today and gets the winkers on for the first time. FOR VICTORY (4) promising staying type going nicely through his grades. Chasing his third-straight victory today after clearing out for a slick victory over 1800m at Hawkesbury on May 4. Should handle the rise in weight and play a leading role again. PERFECT PLAY (7) imported gelding who looked good at first Australian start when second over 1800m at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Fitter now and looks a major player here.
Tip: Backing Unusual Legacy at $2.30 with tab.com.au
RACE 5-1.25pm: Kia Ora BM72 Handicap (1300m)
JEWELLERY (8) Godolphin-trained mare who returned good closing splits first-up when a narrow second as fav over 1100m at Canterbury on May 1. Drop in weight suits and maps to get the gun run. Looks set for a good prep and handles all conditions. MIDNIGHT OPAL (2) hard fit for this fourth-up and drops sharply in grade with the claim. Up in trip when a narrow seventh in the LR South Pacific Classic at Randwick on April 13. Kept fresh and undefeated this track. Winkers go on and looks the value play. YISKA (17) has needed racing to bring him to his top and no excuses here fifth-up. Comes out of a strong form race when powering late to secure fourth behind Disneck over 1200m at Rosehill on April 27. Handles all conditions and stays in the mix. BOJANGLES (1) jumped in grade when a fighting second over 1400m in the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas on May 4. Going quickly through his grades and can take a hand in the finish despite drawing out with the 60kg.
Tip: Backing Jewellery at $4.00 with tab.com.au
RACE 6-2.00pm: Yarraman Park Denise's Joy (LR) (1100m)
Multiple Group 3 placegetter SALTAIRE (2) is a talented filly kept fresh for this. Up in grade second-up when a plugging ninth over 1200m in the G2 Sapphire Stakes at Randwick on April 13. Will relish the solid tempo today and since had a 900m tick over trial. Look for her late in this easier contest. SPRING LEE (14) progressive filly who sprouted wings on resumption when a smart neck winner over 1100m at Canterbury on May 1. Looks destined for better things on the limit weight. Group 2 winner LAZZAGO (4) has been freshened up since disappointing in Victoria this prep. Not asked to do much when fifth in a recent 900m trial at Rosehill on May 2. Suited by the fast tempo here and not without each way prospects. MARTINI MUMMA (13) Matt Dale-trained filly who deserves her shot in this grade after making a mess of her rivals in much easier company over this trip at Rosehill on April 27. Ran good figures at latest and must be kept safe.
Tip: Backing Saltaire at $8 each way with tab.com.au
RACE 7-2.35pm: Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes (LR) (1100m)
HARD TO SAY (5) consistent sprinter who keeps flying under the radar. Has excellent figures over this trip and can win again from the good gate today. Genuine top-three contender. Group 3 winner SPACEWALK (3) had no luck on resumption before warming up late with the 59kg when third over 1100m in the LR Hawkesbury Gold Rush. Had plenty up the sleeve at latest and can easily finish over the top of these. XTRAVAGANT STAR (12) three weeks between runs when up in class for an eye-catching fifth in the LR Hawkesbury Gold Rush. Gibbons keeps the ride from the good gate and expected to figure prominently. INSURRECTION (1) first up today and has excellent fresh form. Fitted with two searching trial wins and gets every chance from the soft draw. The chances don't end there!
Tip: Backing Hard To Say at $6.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 8-3.10pm: Coolmore Dark Jewel Classic (Group 3) (1400m)
Group 3 winning mare BANANA QUEEN (11) resumed with a sound fifth, carrying 58kg over 1300m in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown on May 4. Looks to have come back even stronger this time in and drops 5kg today. Won two from four second-up and expected to go close. Group 3 placegetter SHADOWS OF LOVE (5) is fifth-up today and has been a model of consistency this time in. Kept coming in a tight finish out wide when third over 1300m in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown. Will need a good ride from the draw but expected to play a leading role again. FALL FOR CINDY (13) third-up for this and deserves her shot in this grade after getting up in a tight finish at Hawkesbury on May 4. Best form is over this trip and has a big finish. OVERRIDING (4) has the five wins from 12 starts and looks to have gone to a new level this prep. Maps well and not without each way claims.
Tip: Backing Banana Queen at $6.50 with tab.com.au
RACE 9-3.50pm: Scone Equine Hospital Luskin Star Stakes (LR) (1300m)
AMENABLE (1) smart gelding due for a change of luck, after nearly scoring a major upset when a long neck second over 1400m in the G1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 20. Drops many levels today and should prove hard to hold out on the firmer deck. JIMMYSSTAR (14) has frustrated of late and back to his preferred trip where he's undefeated over the 1300m. Warmed up when the race was over finishing third in the LR Brisbane Qlty (1600m) at Eagle Farm on April 27. Deserves one more chance. COASTWATCH (12) inconsistent gelding who won't know himself with 54kg from the inside gate. Charged late in a tight finish with the 61kg when a neck fourth over 1400m at Hawkesbury on May 4. One of the leading contenders with a repeat of latest. KINLOCH (7) consistent gelding with his hoof on the till. Rattled late with the 59.5kg when a narrow second over 1400m in the Tamworth Cup on April 26. Down in weight and stays in the numbers.
Tip: Backing Amenable at $4.20 with tab.com.au
RACE 10-4.20pm: Gulliver's BM78 Handicap (1100m)
DISNECK (17) underrated gelding who came off an unlucky seventh two back, with a fast-finishing win over 1200m at Rosehill in BM72 grade on April 27. Returned solid figures at latest and has the ability to win again in this stronger event. ABLE WILLIE (18) back marker at his top for this fourth-up. Charged late when a close-up seventh over 1300m at Rosehill on April 27. This looks easier and should get the fast tempo over the shorter trip. Each way. JEDIBEEL (8) progressive gelding who was well supported in betting when resuming with a dominant victory over 1000m at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Goes just as well second-up and three of his four wins have come over the 1100m. Open to further improvement and looks one of the main players. FIRE LANE (6) tough filly who gets in light again with the claim after returning to form with a fighting second over 1100m at Hawkesbury on May 4. Has the speed to get across from the draw and not without top-three prospects.
Tip: Backing Disneck each way at $11 with tab.com.au
SCONE BEST BETS
Best of the Day: Race 9 #1 Amenable at $4.20 with tab.com.au*
Value play: Race 8 # 11 Banana Queen at $6.50 with tab.com.au*
*All odds correct at 2.30pm, 16/5/24
