By Tony Megahey
Prolific regional jockey Greg Ryan and multiple Group-winning trainer Kris Lees provide the strongest push for Friday’s TAB Scone Race Club meeting.
Dubbo-based Ryan is primed for a huge day with seven strongly credentialed mounts scattered throughout an excellent eight-race program, while Lees has progressive types engaged.
Prolific-winning jockey Greg Ryan - follow him with confidence at Scone on Friday. Image by Bradley Photographers
Doubles and trebles typically have been on the Ryan resume this season and in record previous seasons as he passed 3500 career wins.
Also, he has ridden five winners twice this season; at Tamworth and four for Bjorn Baker at Bathurst.
Ryan rode a double at the Bathurst TAB meeting on Monday, including another short-priced Baker favourite in Dexluther, so punters will be well advised to follow the lead of Ryan’s booking for two more impressive Baker debut triallists, Sophiella in the opening event, and Bel’s Boy in race two who has been unextended winning recent Rosehill and Kembla trials.
Later in the day, the veteran hoop also rides last start winners from the Rod Northam, Jan Bowen and John Simpson stables.
Meanwhile, Lees is set to continue a booming provincial season, combining with his provincial riders, Aaron Bullock and Andrew Gibbons. Consistent One Invincible Cat brings the consistency of five successive placings into an Elevate Sportswear Maiden (1100m) for Gibbons.
“She’s limited but just so honest; keeps finding one better - she’s always around the money and will be competitive again,” Lees assessed.
Road to Heaven will be ridden by Bullock in the Bloom’s Water Class 1 and Maiden (1600m): “Really nice win on debut, he’s raw but progressive and being a High Chaparral, he’ll be suited out to 1600m,” Lees added.
Debut filly, Chosen Heir (Fastnet Rock) will be ridden by Bullock in the Grant Jackson Electrical Maiden (1400m): “She’s been slow to mature, but she’s had three trials and is in a suitable maiden out to 1400m.”
Promising Miss Kyeema is second-up for Gibbons contesting the John Flood Estate Class 2 (1400m) after winning her maiden by near five lengths when long odds-on at Port Macquarie in September: “She’s a run away just yet and will be better over more ground,” Lees finalised.
At present, Scone will race on a good 4 track rating with the rail out 3m the entire circuit.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Scone here