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By Neil Evans

Track likely soft 5 and rail out 3m

Improving metro three-year-old 3. Clyde drops right back from Group 1 company to a restricted country affair fifth-up. Should get a charmed run back in the field from the inside draw, and proved what sort of finish he has charging home to win his maiden over a shorter trip three runs back. The one to beat.

Dangers: Provincial five-year-old 1. Oakfield Cherokee was afforded no favours in the run fourth-up in a better race than this, and despite a sharp weight increase, draws to get a more economical run further back in the field. Gap to the rest headed by 9. Unzaga who is searching for this trip; and finished off well enough last start after a dominant maiden win; and 7. Paavo who also will appreciate the longer journey.

How to play it: Clyde to win and quinella 1 and 3. Odds and Evens: Odds

Improving and consistent four-year-old 2. Poseidon Ruler has never missed a place in nine starts despite only a maiden win, and finds a nice race second-up.

Dangers: Doubt there are any if the top selection gets a clear run from the turn, but include 5, 14 & 16 if you're playing the exotics.

How to play it: Poseidon Ruler to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Tough race with several first starters on show. Tivaci three-year-old 6. Tiva Bay has produced two progressive and controlled trials over 1000m, and gets the pick of the draw on debut for the leading provincial stable.

Dangers: After three improving runs to start his career, 3. Devil's Inn can break through on a bigger track after finishing nicely in his last two. Keep safe Medaglia d'Oro three-year-old 4. Rutilant who debuts off two forward trials, the latest finishing right on the heels of the top selection. Race-fit local three-year-old 8. Montari stuck on well from the front at Tamworth, and will relish being back on a firmer surface; while another debutant, Randwick three-year-old 7. Written Sun starts behind three quieter trials, and sporting blinkers.

How to play it: Tiva Bay to win. Odds and Evens: Split

The girls' edition is shaping as a two-horse war. Siding with local filly 3. What A Peach who was hard in the market when looming to win a good provincial sprint at second start, and the extra 200m comes at the right time. Was scratched from Hawkesbury on Thursday to run here.

Dangers: Rival home track filly 4. Miss Laquetta did her best work late when unlucky as a heavily backed favourite at her second start, and back on the bigger circuit over a little more ground also reads well. Gap top the rest headed by 1. Angela Sistina third-up; while keeping safe metro filly 8. Wenet second-up.

How to play it: What A Peach to win and quinella 3 and 4. Odds and Evens: Split

Keen to be aboard resuming four-year-old 2. Cut 'em Up who should have won at his second start getting home powerfully after blowing the jump. Hasn't publicly trialled, but races like he will lap up the big long stretch here.

Dangers: Debutant Super One three-year-old 16. Mr Burgundy has been a real eye-catcher at the trials, winning the second of two by more than six lengths, and blessed with natural speed. Lining up for his second start, rival home track filly 13. I'm Not Slew comes off a very honest provincial debut when trailing the speed all the way. Included in exotics 11. Sharkosphere who has trialled okay since a strong closing debut here; and 8. Lady Mofeed who resumes.

How to play it: Cut 'em Up each way and trifecta 2,13,16/2,11,13,16/2,8,11,13,16. Odds and Evens: Split

Got a stack of time for provincial three-year-old 6. Harlem Groove who still has plenty of untapped potential. Swept home for a dominant BM 58 win here before being eased out of the race with problems this time last month. Has since trialled nicely, and draws to be tucked away back in the field before producing a telling finish.

Dangers: Progressive mare 2. Zou De Moon is the immediate threat from a soft draw. Came off a lengthy break to score a strong first-up win, and this is a subtle step up in distance carrying the same weight. Provincial mare 3. Buba has been given nearly eight weeks since chasing home a smart one at Wyong; while both 4. Toostar first-up off two progressive trials; and 5. Rockover also resuming; are capable of running into the placings.

How to play it: Harlem Groove to win and first four 2,6/2,3,4,5,6/2,3,4,5,6/2,3,4,5,6. Odds and Evens: Evens

Tough and open sprint. Lightly raced four-year-old 5. Velorum returns as gelding for the new home track stable after a near nine month spell. Has won two of three lead-up 1000m trials in smart fashion, and draws to stay out of trouble with blinkers off. Destined for much bigger prizes down the track.

Dangers: Talented five-year-old 1. Toto was well backed when working home strongly behind a smart country galloper who then ran a bold third in last Saturday's Highway at Randwick. Has to lump 62kg, but draws to get cover and won his only previous second-up start. At bigger odds, expecting 2. Cool World to come on strong second-up after a solid return 18 days ago. Improving 4. Invincible Faith has won two of his last three, sneaking under the market radar last start, although much more depth in this.

How to play it: Velorum to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Yet another smart one resuming, local four-year-old mare 10. Lady River looks ideally placed, drawn to get to the outside. Comes to hand quickly, and was very competitive in Highway grade last prep after consecutive and dominant wins here.

Dangers: Liked the first-up run from Taree mare 9. Faatinaat coming from a long way back; while included in exotics Tamworth five-year-old 1. Brave Enough third-up.

How to play it: Lady River to win. Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R7 5. VELORUM
R8 10. LADY RIVER

BEST VALUE:
R6 6. HARLEM GROOVE

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Scone meeting