SCONE May 13

Best Bets

RACE 3: (4) WRATHFUL – Has made an impression winning three of his first five starts and could soon be winning better races than this. His excellent second up win in heavy ground over 1500m at Rosehill when overcoming a chequered run stamped him as a horse on the rise with the step to 1700m in this class a natural progression. Holds ample scope to cope with his 2.5kg rise in weight.

RACE 6: (8) UNSPOKEN: Talented import with three wins in the UK up to 2015m pointed to early success for the Snowden stable when he made his Australian debut in this class at Randwick, finishing hard over 1550m for a close second under 60kg in a strong form race where the third horse subsequently won. He then ran into all sorts of bother over 1800m at Hawkesbury when badly checked at the 400m but still recovered to find the line in a total forgive performance. Well placed to show his real ability on this big track.

RACE 8: (7) WAIHAHA FALLS – Comes into this third up and ready to find the form that saw him record impressive wins and placings last year, albeit on affected tracks. Showed he was near his best with a closing second in the G3 Hall Mark (1200m) behind the classy Vilana at Randwick and that reads as a strong form reference for this event where he will be suited by the extra trip. Expect to see him ridden quietly from his wide gate and saved for the last run at them.

For Value

RACE 9: (4) WRITTEN BEAUTY – She carries a few convictions but she keeps doing enough to get you in, like she did last time with a solid fifth in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m), a race that provides eight contenders for this race. She'll be more comfortable on this big track over the extra trip and it's easy to make a case for her carrying 2kg less. She also maps well from a wide draw late in the day.

RACE 10: (2) SHALAILED – If earlier selections deliver a first-up win from this multiple Group placegetter will cap a big day for the John O'Shea stable. He's been gelded and it may be the making of him as he has looked more focused in two strong trials that have him well set for this ideal target by his astute trainer. Benefits from a claim and is another who can use the track to his advantage from a wide draw.

Selections

RACE 1: 1-2-5-8

RACE 2: 2-16-11-4

RACE 3: 4-9-6-7

RACE 4: 19-12-8-11 

RACE 5: 3-1-5-2

RACE 6: 8-14-4-5

RACE 7: 1-13-10-16

RACE 8: 7-4-13-11

RACE 9: 4-3-15-5

RACE 10: 2-3-7-10

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 13

SCONE SATURDAY: Saltaire (R1); Frenemy (R1); Hasty Honey (R1); In My Dreams (R1); African Daisy (R4); Vintage Choice (R4); Eleven Eleven (R5); Quantico (R5); Dehorned Unicorn (R5); Sneaky Paige (R5); Claim The Crown (R6); Portray (R7); Barossa Rosa (R9); French Bonnet (R9); Shalailed (R10)

DOOMBEN: Empire Of Japan (R5); Stroke Of Luck (R7); Aft Cabin (R8); Vilana (R8); Giga Kick (R8); Sneaky Paige (R9; Siege (R9); Hellfest (R9)

KEMBLA GRANGE: Invictus Lad (R6)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Divine Vicky; Flag Of Honour; Think About It; Vowmaster; Zia; Metallic Ruler; Tocomah; Moonlight Grace; New Mandate; Skyman; Mount Warning; Lyrical Gangster; Malkovich; Chilada; General Salute; Overpass; Vilana; Champers Girl; Black Iris; Typhoon Tavi; Excelladus; Frilled; Aft Cabin

TRIAL POINTERS

CANTERBURY May 5: Godolphin's top shelf 3YOs AFT CABIN and VILANA had prep trials for their Brisbane campaigns. James McDonald gave AFT CABIN an easy time finishing a close fourth in a solid heat over 898m while VILANA trialled well within himself for Zac Lloyd, finishing second in his 900m heat. Smart 4YO mare AFRICAN DAISY looks in good form to resume after a strong win her open heat over 1100m (71.69; 37.50). She's won three of her 12 starts up to 1500m and the way she surged clear over the last 200m after sitting outside the leader points to more success.

RANDWICK May 1: Gun sprinter GIGA KICK was the star of the show with a perfect trial to prepare him for his Brisbane assault. Craig Williams allowed him to find his legs in the first 200m of his 1045m heat, settling second last some nine lengths from the leader before allowing the gelding to slide forward four wide from the 700m. Williams sat quietly as GIGA KICK made up the ground easily and it was a pleasure to watch him work through his gears under no pressure for a soft win. It wasn't the fastest heat over the distance (63.34) but he reeled off a quick last 600m (34.73). There were some nice trials behind him with QUANTICO closing off fast for second.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – May 10

GEELONG FRIDAY: Torranzino (R5)

SCONE FRIDAY: Bold Mac (R7)

MORPHETTVILLE SATURDAY: High Approach (R7); Northern Barrage (R7)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Ducasse (R5); Sneaky Five (R9); A Very Fine Red (R9); Hellfest (R9)

SCONE SATURDAY: Unspoken (R6); Floating (R6); Never Talk (R9); Spiranac (R10)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Party For One (R3); Naboo Star (R4)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Vowmaster; Kovalica; I've Bean Tryin'; Preemptory; Giga Kick; Tarps; Atishu; Cardinal Gem; Nosey Parker; I Wish I Win; High Court; Zeyrek; Butch Cassidy; Mr Brightside; Meridius; Almania; Jal Lei; Osipenko; Lindermann; Swords Drawn; Regal Pom.

Blackbookers – Selected May 6

(Follow for next 3 starts)

HE'S OUR BONNEVAL; KIKO; MARACANA; SALATEEN; SIR LAMORAK; SNAPBACK