Race-by-race previews and tips for Scone on Monday
Track Soft 5 and rail out 3m from 800m to 400m & True the remainder
Race 1: MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
Well bred three-year-old 6. You Think You Know can start his career with a bang for the Brett Cavanough stable. Had three forward trials through winter before being spelled, and looked good in a recent trial here, sitting well off the fence before cruising home with plenty in hand. Bred for further, and fitted to run this journey right out.
Dangers: 2. Gustav is very fit and advantaged by a little drop back in distance after fading late at Muswellbrook, and blinkers go back on. Home filly 10. Bakhita can improve at her third start. Resuming mare 8. Grandini has also trialled well ahead of her second prep, although the time was significantly slower. Another one trained on the track and first-up, 9. Octern was OKthrough the line in his trial, and winkers replaced blinkers.
How to play it: You Think You Know to win
Racing returns to Scone on Monday with a seven-race card.Credit: Steve Hart Photographics
Race 2: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Promising and lightly raced local mare 7. Star Bling resumes off a quiet trial. Beat a handy maiden field on debut in May before being freshened, then ran home hard from the back at Dubbo to claim all but the winner. Has plenty of ability, draws to get good cover off speed, and is bred to thrive in soft ground.
Dangers: The first-up run in similar company from Dubbo six-year-old Starane, hitting the line from midfield, was good enough to suggest she can go one better here, with a senior jockey taking over. Big watch on lightly raced and resuming 4. Move She Can who looked sharp in a recent trial. 3. Climate Control ran home late last start at Muswellbrook in very testing conditions; while 5. Water Lad resuming off a soft trial goes in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Star Bling to win
Race 3: CLASS 3 HCP (1400m)
Progressive 3. Awesome Tycoon can make it two straight coming back a shade in distance. Did his best work late from the back first-up since late April before being ridden closer and finishing best for a dominant win at Quirindi. Again draws to bet the right run behind the speed with cover.
Dangers: Track the betting on 1. Uncle Harry who resumes behind two improving trials, and tackled much deeper opposition last prep. 4. King’s Duty dropped in grade to lead from barrier to box here 17 days ago, but taking on some better ones here and is under the odds. Keep safe 5. Burraneer Buoy who was just fair when resuming, but normally improves into the next run and has drawn okay.
How to play it: Awesome Tycoon to win
Race 4: MAIDEN HCP (1600m)
Provincial-based mare 1. Like Lukey charged home from the back to miss narrowly here first-up. Gets an extra furlong here, and drawn to settle a bit closer, she can break through and then go on to win better races.
Dangers: 2. Rockbarton Island gets blinkers added after missing by a whisker third-up. 9. Turning Circle is better drawn and placed coming back from deeper provincial opposition, and blinkers replacing winkers is a key gear change. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Like Lukey to win
