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By Neil Evans

Showcase meeting on likely Soft 5 and rail out 3m from 800m to WP so fairly even before a late trend wider

The maidens kick off a strong program. Well bred 3YO local filly 7. Don'tforgetmonica (Monaco Consul x Irrational by Flying Spur) has had two improving trials, and debuts in blinkers with a 2kg claim. Trainer looks to have a nice opening race.

Dangers: Former Victorian 4YO 2. Yulong Base has his first run for leading Tamworth stable off a quiet trial, and draws the inside; while Muswellbrook filly 5. Cecilia was good on debut behind a smart one at Taree.

How to play it: Don'tforgetmonica to win and box exacta 2,5,7. Odds and Evens: Split.

Good sprint battle of the bush at set weights, with a stack of hopes. Improving 3YO filly 8. Aquilla Sky from the local Brett Cavanough stable looks way over the odds third-up. Was easily outgunned in a hot form maiden resuming before boxed on strong in a handy maiden at Wellington, and the winner then came out and destroyed a CL1 field at this track last Friday.

Dangers: Tamworth mare 9. Golden Missile made a sound debut at home only missing by a neck, with a gap back to third. Again draws to find a nice position just off the speed, and should be in the finish. Home track 3YO 6. Scatman is fresh and has enough ability to overcome the outside barrier. Will need some breaks early to get across, but on debut went down narrowly in a very handy form maiden at Muswellbrook. Speaking of the 'brook, 3YO 7. Toto returns for bis first run in more than a year. Has had one trial, and draws to get plenty of cover just behind the speed.

How to play it: Aquilla Sky each way and box trifecta 6,7,8,9. Odds and Evens: Split

Another wide open affair for the maidens, but after three runs back from a spell, capable Wyong 3YO 7. Right Bower from the Kim Waugh yard can peak here up slightly in trip with the winkers going on. Comes through slightly superior formlines.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO 8. Roman Candle let punters down as an easing short-priced favourite at Tamworth, although suspect he's far more effective on firmer footing. Can finish hard on this track, although the low draw may not suit his typical pattern. Tamworth 4YO 10. Treble Clef can't seem to shake the bridesmaid tag, running four straight seconds, three of them beaten by a whisker. Deserves to break through, but draws a tricky gate. Gilgandra 5YO 6. Poster Man has found the line okay in two runs back from a near year-long spell, and another one suited on the bigger track. Local filly 13. Entreat is hard fit after four runs this prep, and chased home a smart one at Dubbo last start. Well weighted after rider's 2kg claim.

How to play it: Right Bower each way and first four 7,8,10/7,8,10/6,7,8,10,13/6,7,8,10,13. Odds and Evens: Split

Sticking with Newcastle 3YO and dominant last start winner, 3. The Borough from the Paul Perry yard at his first run here. Got going early at Tamworth and raced away to win by more than six lengths. This is tougher, and he draws the widest barrier, but if he gets a decent speed to chase, can peel off the best final 600m in the race.

Dangers: Progressive Tamworth 3YO 2. Manseneta is the one to beat after sweeping home for a dominant win second-up at home in a handy maiden, and has since had a quiet trial. Will love the big stretch here, but still looks a shade under the odds. Home track mare 4. Fiery Zone looks the only other chance, getting out to a suitable trip third-up.

How to play it: The Borough to win and quinella 2 and 3. Odds and Evens: Split

While this is a tough and open battle for the mainly older horses over the mile, lightly raced 3YO filly 7. Deepwood Vale from the home stable of Paul Messara can blow them away third-up. Rattled home late in a CL2 before competitive again from off the speed in a Rosehill Highway, and this shapes as the right trip back at home.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by tough Newcastle mare 3. Mummentum who will love getting back on to a bigger and firmer track after struggling against tougher metro grade in two runs on heavy ground. Needs speed on, especially drawn to settle back on the inside. Stablemate 3YO 6. Salsa Dreaming has never raced better, overcoming a wide draw to bolt in a weaker race at Coffs before just missing in a BM 58 at Mudgee when again drawn wide. Back in trip, but drawn to get plenty of cover and is a winner here. Another one from the Lees stable, 9. Bandahara can mix his form without notice, but found the line strong in weaker company at Tamworth fourth-up. Up in class, but down in weight and extra ground is a plus.

How to play it: Deepwood Vale to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Deepwood Vale's last start at Rosehill on May 30

Strong race for this class, with plenty of potential on show. Local 4YO gelding 2. Dubai Tycoon from the Cavanough stable did his best work late resuming in a Highway at Randwick, and this looks a nice second-up assignment from a good trailing draw. Trainer has rung the gear changes, with winkers replacing blinkers, so watch the market closely.

Dangers: Tamworth 4YO 5. Shamusu Sho has a tonne of ability, but doesn't always produce, and has had the blinkers removed since disappointing at home. Much better suited, though, over more ground on the bigger track, and down significantly in weight. Watch for local 4YO 4. Magic Charlee finishing on late at a big price over more ground. Should have nearly won second-up here except for laying in badly for most of the straight. Has enough ability settling back off a good speed. Progressive Wyong filly 10. Light Of Uluru burst between runners late here to claim a BM 58 second-up, and while this is tougher, she draws to get similar cover and is a talented one on the rise. Also on the up is ultra consistent Tamworth 3YO 11. Danebrook who put a maiden field to the sword at Dubbo, and undoubtedly good enough in this tougher grade dropping sharply in weight, and drawn to get to the outside.

How to play it: Dubai Tycoon to win; Shamusu Sho each way; trifecta 2,5/2,5,10,11/2,4,5,10,11. Odds and Evens: Split.

Dubai Tycoon's first-up run at Randwick on June 6

Back to the sprint trip, and keen at the value about 4YO 12. Geotime fourth-up for the Greg McFarlane stable at Gosford. Has finished hard in his last couple, and even better suited getting on the bigger track. Will settle back in the pack, and watch for him thundering home.

Dangers: Tamworth filly and former Victorian 1. The First Of May looks hard to beat resuming off a quiet trial for new stable, and with a 3kg claim. Draws to get a cosy run, and this isn't strong. Any number could fill the third hole headed by progressive 3YO 5. Dixie Can who is drawn wide, but her first-up all-the-way win at home was very strong, albeit on heavy ground. Another one resuming, local 4YO 10. Scherzare returns off a string of mixed runs in deeper company, and has an experienced rider to off-set a tricky draw.

How to play it: Geotime each way and quinella 1 and 12. Odds and Evens: Split

We finish with a terrific open class dash, and typically there's a stack of chances. Going wide in the market again with local 6YO gelding 9. Tim's Principal from the Jeremy Gask stable who can maintain a strong second-up record off a long break back at home. Flashed home late resuming in the Lightning at Tamworth, and this time last year he was consistently close-up in deeper metro races over longer trips.

Dangers: Smart Tamworth 4YO 1. Burning Crown is back in distance off a dominant heavy track trial win since dropping out in tougher grade at Randwick when forced to cart the field up to the tearaway leader who couldn't be run down. Will naturally be there from a long way from the good draw. Under-rated Dubbo 6YO 7. Good Time Charlie has won two straight this prep from off the speed. Drawn out, but gets ideal ground, and can finish hard again on a track he'll relish. Moree 5YO 4. Beacon steps up sharply from an easy first-up Picnic Trophy kill, and normally holds his second-up form. Was competitive in good metro grade last spring, and blinkers have been removed. Cessnock 6YO 6. Drachenfels has finally found form again motoring home from well back in his last couple, and again draws to get plenty of cover behind a solid speed.

How to play it: Tim's Principal each way and trifecta 1,7,9/1,4,6,7,9/1,4,6,7,9. Odds and Evens: Odds.

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