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By Neil Evans

Showers forecast so track likely Soft 5/6, with the Rail out 5m so on-pace early before trending towards the middle

With rain predicted, early pattern is crucial, with a few of these having an experience advantage over the mile. Newcastle gelding 2. Mended is still to run a place from five starts, but has found the line every run this prep from well off the speed, and this track is ideal for his racing pattern.

Dangers: Stablemate filly 3. Alam Mo Na was unwanted on debut over a short trip this track, but still finished okay, and being by High Chaparral out of a former high class sprinter, this trip second-up should suit, although market is best indicator; while well-bred local filly 8. Visibly has had three runs back, and looks close. Randwick mare 1. Lady Grande has more to give after an even effort behind a nice horse this trip at second start, although is drawn out with a big weight.

How to play it: Mended each-way and box first four 2-8/1-2-3-8.

Open and thin affair at set weights and looms as a battle between Scone's three leading stables. Mare on the rise 8. Tombolo is first-up for nearly five months. Has been held together in two solid home trials, and on debut at only career run here back in the spring over a shorter trip, just missed when finishing hard.

Dangers: Expect big improvement at second start from rival local filly 10. Duchess Of Lennox who is bred to get much further and is way over the odds. Another Scone filly 11. Galina looks well placed dropping in weight. Forget she went around last start, but before that was right on the heels of a couple of good ones in stronger maiden at Hawkesbury.

How to play it: Tombolo to win.

Tombolo's latest trial at Scone on March 5

Tricky race, but Wyong 3YO 5. Direct Vision (Direct Charge x Joy Division by Easy Rocking) is a huge watch on debut. Had two sharp on-speed trials back in the spring when edged out on both occasions, and will be well prepared. Has natural speed being by a former Marybyrnong Plate winner out of an Easy Rocking mare, and bred to handle all ground.

Dangers: Another debutant Newcastle filly 8. Passion Princess (Foxwedge x Treadmill by E Dubai) has had two trials winning the latest in smart fashion. Armidale 4YO 1. Stealthy is first-up off a long break, but usually comes to hand quickly.

How to play it: Direct Vision to win and quinella 5 and 8.

Tactical speed pivotal over this flying journey. Tamworth 4YO 2. One More Legend has shown plenty of early speed in first two starts at Gunnedah under a similar weight, and looks the one to beat over this trip.

Dangers: Local gelding 1. Cash Factor resumes and also has early speed. Last 100m is a question mark in a pure dash, but well weighted after the rider's 3kg claim. If they go made up front, watch for local gelding 5. Marokowa rattling home fresh. Hasn't started for five months, and will drift back, but normally attacks the line early in his prep.

How to play it: One More Legend to win and quinella 2 and 5

One More Legend runs second at Gunnedah on February 23

Plenty of chances in a good race. Local 6YO 1. Cool And Neat looks well placed stepping up to this distance, with the rider claiming 3kg. Resumed with a nice closing effort in a stronger BM 66 this track, and second-up is always a peak run in the prep. Draws to get a nice trail midfield with cover.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by another one who generally peaks second-up getting out in distance. Wyong-trained 2. Neruda resumed with an even run in stronger grade at Rosehill, and both previous second-up runs have been good. Big watch on talented and lightly raced Newcastle gelding 4. Time Raid who won his first two career starts in smart fashion in the spring, and has trialled well over 1200m behind high class Fuchu for his return. Rival Newcastle gelding 6. African Guy improved to win third-up at Tamworth, and drops in weight, but this is tougher; while include Scone mare 9. Rosesay who wasn't far away in a decent BM 58 last start after a terrific maiden win at Dubbo, and has plenty of natural ability. Draws well and down in weight. Mudgee 5YO 11. Redirect is up in class after a second career win at Gunnedah, but drops 5.5kg on that run.

How to play it: Cool And Neat each-way and first four 1-2-9/1-2-4-6-9-11.

Deep and competitive race, and going with potential and value over tougher and more experienced runners. Promising Mudgee stallion 10. Christo powered home to win at Dubbo in CL1, then should have won again at home but refused to go straight when he had them on toast. Making great progress in his first prep, and draws well here for tougher assignment.

Dangers: Tamworth 4YO 5. Ratler is going great guns, winning two of his last three, and looks well placed and drawn again despite the rise in weight. Tough local 6YO 4. Collins Creek knows where the line is. Was right on Ratler's heels two runs back before strong late behind the smart Think Free at Newcastle. Hard fit but will be forced a long back from the widest barrier. Consistent Tamworth gelding 3. Blinkin Fast has returned in great fashion winning both starts from off the speed, but faces more depth here from an awkward gate. Big-striding local filly 11. Normality has won her last two, and looks up to this grade; while consistent Mudgee 6YO 12. Western Parade is screaming to win a race after four straight seconds around this grade. Will naturally drift back and just needs good tempo on up front to charge into the finish.

How to play it: Christo each-way and first four 5-10/3-4-5-10-11-12.

Wide open battle to finish, but like local mare 9. Philadora now she's found winning form. Just missed two back at Quirindi, but gave nothing else a chance in a dominant maiden win at Mudgee. Up in class, but in well at the weights after rider's 3kg claim, and can go on with the job.

Dangers: Another local on the rise 3YO filly 5. Luna Mia won her maiden from a wide gate at second start, and looks headed for better races. Kinder draw off-sets weight hike. Randwick filly 4. Single Sapphire only needs an even share of luck from a wide barrier to be in the finish. Won her maiden as a well backed fancy two back at this track beating Luna Mia before taking on stronger at Kembla. Newcastle mare 10. Penny Dreadful is fit and well into her prep, and won fourth up this track when heavily backed, but not well in at the weights. Tamworth mare 6. Onya Rosie also has the ability to figure after resuming with a fair effort. Won two straight in the spring before competing at metro Highway level. Will need luck from a wide gate.

How to play it: Philadora each-way; quinella 5 and 9; trifecta 5-9/4-5-6-9-10

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