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By Neil Evans

Showcase meeting, with track improving to Good 4 and rail true so likely even early before trending towards the middle

The stayers get us underway. Newcastle 5YO mare 2. Dreamfyre went a long way back from a wide gate at Tamworth and didn't run on at the mile, but previously charged home over a longer trip to win when heavily backed. By a Melbourne Cup place-getter, and both career wins have come around this distance.

Dangers: Rival 5YO Newcastle mare 5. Showada has been a little disappointing this prep, although continues to improve, and finished off okay this grade at Pt Macquarie; while local 3YO filly 7. Never Listen is fit and experienced enough now for this trip, and drawn to get nice cover back in the field.

How to play it: Dreamfyre each way. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split

Competitive and tricky race, and relying a little on potential and natural improvement with 3YO Newcastle filly 4. Delector at just her second start. Got a long way back at a big price on debut at Wyong, but made good late ground behind high class winner Akari who has since won a Listed race at Randwick.

Dangers: Local 5YO mare and natural front-runner 1. Immemorial has boxed on well from the front to run two straight second placings, and significant gear changes have been made, but down a big straight with 59kg will be a test. Randwick 5YO mare 2. Rose Of Savannah hasn't quite lived up to the promise of her first prep in two runs back, but will improve stepping up to this distance, and draws to get a cosy trail. Expect sharp improvement at second start from 4YO Wyong mare 3. Sequenzalot at big odds who had a tough job on debut from a wide barrier at Muswellbrook, and much better drawn here, with senior rider going on. Watch the market on another 3YO Newcastle filly and first starter 5. The Spell (Rubick x My Amelia by Redoubte's Choice) who is by a fashionable speed sire. Spent plenty of time at the trials, and will debut in blinkers.

How to play it: Delector to win and box trifecta 1,2,3,4. Odds and Evens: Split

Now the boys' turn over the same journey, with half the field on debut. Newcastle 4YO gelding 5. Schemer has already had 15 starts, and ready to break through. Charged home late in a deep maiden at Wyong two runs back before only fair to the line on the same track, but racing like the long stretch here will suit.

Dangers: Debutant 4YO Randwick gelding 4. Trackman (Tavistock x Miranda Miss by Reset) has had two quiet trials from the back, and being by a strong NZ sire-line, should be getting home late. Another first starter from the Kris Lees yard at Newcastle, 3YO colt 9. Our Tito (Uncle Mo x Margaret River by Brief Truce) has trialled twice, and the most recent was better than it looks on paper when taken back and making up ground from the 500m; while 4YO Newcastle gelding 1. Elas Jet has trialled fairly for strong trainer/rider combination, so watch the market.

How to play it: Schemer to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Another even and open race. Improving 4YO Newcastle mare 6. Zouling has had one fair run back from a spell, but jumps quickly to her best distance. Only career win from nine starts came second-up, and top country rider hops aboard.

Dangers: Age refuses to weary 10-year-old Tamworth gelding 4. Apache Lad who charged through for a dominant win this grade at home last start. This race looks thinner, and again drawn to get a nice run on speed. You're never quite sure what's coming with 4YO Newcastle mare 2. Miss Eporetto who was tough winning from the front two runs back at Muswellbrook in this grade before flat in a Class 3 stepping up to this trip at Taree. Previous form was okay in some handy races; while 7YO Hawkesbury gelding 1. Just Two Vees fought hard to win this grade at Goulburn last start, but badly off with 60.5kg for a horse that's won only three from 35.

How to play it: Zouling each way and quinella 4 and 6. Odds and Evens: Evens

Progressive 5YO Tamworth gelding 1. Carillon looks ready to win third-up over a suitable trip. Closed off nicely resuming in a stronger race at home before doing his best work late in a Highway at Rosehill. Has been freshened via a quiet trial, and draws okay.

Dangers: Local 4YO mare and US-bred 6. Normality is ready to peak third-up at an ideal trip and down in weight after two average runs back, and the blinkers come off. Newcastle 4YO gelding 2. Charlies Law can really mix his form, and did little off a five-week break in a BM 66 at Gunnedah, but generally improves second-up. Consistent 5YO Tamworth gelding 4. Autumn Ridge won two straight before an even effort in the same Highway as Carillon, and gets in okay at the weights, but the mile is as far as he wants. Lightly raced 6YO Tamworth gelding 3. Rostam kick-starts his career again at a big price off a five month break. Has had two quiet trials, and the mile first-up is a big ask, although is Northern Hemisphere-bred to get over plenty of ground. Improving 5YO Mudgee gelding 5. American Storm steps up in class after easily winning a Class 1 at Coonamble.

How to play it: Carillon to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Carillon's last start at Rosehill on September 14

Competitive sprint at set weights. Gulgong 3YO filly 9. Deviate did her best work late resuming in a Highway at Randwick before an even run at Muswellbrook when easy in betting. In well at the weights, and will be tucked away midfield on the fence, and saved for one last assault.

Dangers: Tamworth 4YO gelding 2. Lord Tony has won two of his last five when leading, and draws well, but this is tougher; while rival 5YO Tamworth gelding 5. Smooth Factor also takes on a tougher race after beating a thin Class 1 field at Inverell second-up.

How to play it: Deviate to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Good deep race, with plenty of chances, and exotic players will have a field day. Progressive 4YO Newcastle mare 6. Power Rush was good resuming in a handy Class 2 at Wyong. Up in weight, but drawn to get a nice run just off the speed, and second-up form is strong.

Dangers: Local 6YO gelding 5. Marokawa returns home where he has won two from four off a quality Highway win at Randwick weaving through the field from a mile back. Rises sharply in weight, but as long as he gets some cover, will be finishing like a train. Front-running 4YO Gosford gelding 4. Rambler Rebel won three straight with sustained speed before stepping up and struggling in stronger BM 70 grade. Draws to control it again, but has been up for a while and rises to 60kg. Wyong 5YO mare 7. Grand Exit will appreciate the extra distance after doing her best work late over 900m at Muswellbrook. Has a good record on this track, bolting in a Class 2 here two runs back. Improving 6YO Mudgee gelding 9. Redirect has won two straight at BM 58 level, and while this is harder, another one who likes this course. Emerging 4YO Tamworth gelding 10. Congregate has overcome some hurdles to win two straight in only his first prep, and is ready for the tougher challenge, but not sure the inside draw will help his pattern late in the day; while 4YO Tamworth mare 8. Hammoon Ballad resumes from a wide barrier without a public trial, but has enough quality to drive into the finish fresh.

How to play it: Power Rush to win and first four 5,6/4,5,6,7/4,5,6,7,9/4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky finish, but keen on 3YO local filly and first starter 12. Mother's Day (Stratum x Tej by Bernadini) who is by a former Golden Slipper winner, and trialled well at Muswellbrook a month back when strong through the line with plenty in reserve.

Dangers: Another 3YO local filly 10. I'm Going is a big threat despite not having started for 10 weeks since a nice debut at Dubbo. Hasn't trialled publicly, but leading rider has been booked, and draws to get a nice trail on the limit weight. Muswellbrook 4YO gelding 1. Dubai Harbour likes to go forward, and hasn't been far away in two runs this prep at home, but again drawn off the track with a big weight. Expect sharp improvement at second start from 4YO local mare 6. Santa Margherita after doing little on debut at Mudgee. Local 3YO gelding 9. Manningrida has taken a while to get to the races, but looked okay in a trial seven weeks back; while debutant 3YO Tamworth filly 14. Outastep (Sidestep x Ferguson by Danasinga) has also trialled strongly, and draws a nice debut barrier.

How to play it: Mother's Day each way and quinella 10 and 12. Odds and Evens: Evens

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