By Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True:
Race 1 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2200m): |
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We start the program over the long journey on a firming track, and lightly raced provincial mare 3. Dunjenni is primed to strike third-up back on dry ground. Didn't enjoy heavy going last time on the Beaumont track, but ridden a bit quieter here from a nice cover draw and back at country level is ideal
Dangers: The timing looks right for honest provincial mare 5. Myeyesadoreyou to make a sharp rise in distance. Had been working home from well back just behind the placegetters in tougher provincial fields all prep in and around the mile before a similar closing effort here 15 days ago. Still under the odds, though, given he has a solitary win from 25 starts. Improving mare 2. Akauwheo can stake a claim from a soft draw also over a much longer trip; while hard fit 4. Fine Example is the clear best of the rest.
How to play it: Dunjenni to win
Race 2 MAIDEN PLATE (1200m): |
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Promising local mare 5. Hellcibell reloads with blinkers after missing narrowly here on debut. Was heavily backed that day & loomed to win before wobbling around late. Draws to get a charmed run coming back 100m in trip, and is the clear one to beat.
Dangers: Gap to the rest headed by 13. Nyall Sands who charged home on debut at big odds; while 3. Press The Pedal fresh; and stablemate Palentino filly 11. Apparently at her second start; can both run into the minor money.
How to play it: Hellcibell to win
Race 3 MAIDEN HCP (1600m): |
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Progressive colt 6. Port Lockroy looks a raging good thing third-up for a leading metro stable in a very weakened race. Has found the line from midfield positions in two provincial runs, and back to country level over more ground shapes ideally.
Dangers: Improving 9. Mariner's Dream at his second start; and honest 11. Spiritual Architect hard fit; can fight for the minor positions.
How to play it: Port Lockroy to win and trifecta 6/9,11/9,11
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m): |
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Staying at the mile for a tricky tactical contest. Improving provincial five-year-old 5. Bandolero likes to get back and hit the line, and can reach a strong third-up peak here over this longer trip, with a 1.5kg claim.
Dangers: Emerging Randwick filly 4. Harlow Mist is the logical threat after tracking the speed at Goulburn on debut, and going home best. The second horse from that race was then beaten a nose at Hawkesbury on Saturday to frank the form, and being by dual Group 1 Ranvet Stakes winner Contributer, she will love the big spacious course and extra 200m. Expecting a big first-up run over the mile from provincial staying mare 1. Velvet Lady who comes to hand quick enough, and has been fitted with two very quiet trials; while 7. Grey At The Ready third-up from a low draw is also in the each-way hunt.
How to play it: Bandolero each way
Race 5 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m): |
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Bit more depth and quality in this one, and it shapes well for lightly raced and progressive local four-year-old 3. Call Me Louis second-up with a 3kg claim. Been given three weeks since tracking the speed and looming to win in provincial grade. Handles all ground, and destined to win better races than this.
Dangers: Talented mare 11. Christa impressed on debut here holding off a smart one. That said, she got the right run under the top country hoop, and faces a tougher draw this time. Capable mare 8. Dolly Jayne has been up for a while, but will find this a shade easier; while 5. Gold Merchant resuming at big odds behind a quiet trial; and 10. Herne Hill crucially back on top of the ground; both go in all exotic plays.
How to play it: Call Me Louis to win
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1200m): |
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Same grade of galloper, but coming back another 200m in distance in a fairly open affair. Provincial mare 2. Hide Your Heart resumes behind two very progressive 1000m trials, and can make a fresh statement here at good odds. Normally takes a run to find her best, but she looks more forward than usual off a break, and a 3kg claimer booked to off-set the weight is a further pointer.
Dangers: Progressive home tracker 10. Seeni can go back-to-back from an economical trailing draw,and with gear changes, after driving home late to win a weaker race at Quirindi. Improving 5. Legolas from the Bjornn Baker yard held his ground okay in a deeper provincial CL1 second-up, although the inside draw might be a disadvantage here late in the day. Both 6. Sir Donald and 12. Pee Dee can figure in the minor money at odds.
How to play it: Hide Your Heart to win
Race 7 GUNDY CUP - SPRINT SERIES (1100m): |
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Competitive and open feature sprint. Sneaking right back down to the limit weight, home track seven-year-old 12. Pure Fuego can upset this field at big odds. Finished down the track in much tougher consecutive Highways before returning home and charging from the back to be beaten only a length in a good quality BM 66. Gets an extra 100 here, and with any sort of decent trail, can finish like a train.
Dangers: Local mare 6. Very Sharp exploded out of the pack first-up to win that same race the top selection is emerging from, but normally comes back a peg next run; while 2. Miss Dior is the best of the rest from the inside draw with gear changes, and five weeks between runs.
How to play it: Pure Fuego each way
Race 8 CLASS 1 HCP (1100m): |
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Same trip to close the meeting in the toughest race of the day, but expecting a big run from lightly raced metro four-year-old 2. Pyromania resuming at big odds for a second prep behind two progressive trials. Won on debut in the country back in March, and looks even stronger this time in.
Dangers: A stack of them headed by 7. Star Magic who won first-up at Muswellbrook, and was scratched from Coffs on Monday to be saved for this, but is drawn wide. Keep safe 4. Extra Smart fourth-up, with winkers replacing blinkers; while 6. Thief By Night fourth-up and back from provincial company; 8. Fine Vintage resuming with blinkers back on; and 13. Xeiby; also fresh and trained on the track; can all compete for the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Pyromania each way
BEST BETS:
R1 3. DUNJENNI
R2 5. HELLCIBELL
BEST VALUE:
R5 3. CALL ME LOUIS
All the entries, form and replays for Tuesday's Scone meeting