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By Tony Megahey

Tamworth’s Mark Mason last won a TAB Highway in mid-2016, and if the hard marking veteran is finally returning to Royal Randwick on Saturday with a near-record Scone winner in Taketheshot ($14 on TAB), it’s a compelling lead at value.

And personable “Maso” to his many racing mates and associates, has found the solution to the four-year-old Smart Missile gelding with factors in his favour in a support to a tremendous day of Group racing.

Taketheshot (Mitchell Bell) in winning touch at Scone. Image by Bradley Photographers

Taketheshot is race fit with winning form in fast time, wet credentials along with in-form Tom Sherry on 55.5kg.

Major news from the TAB $100,000 Class 2, 1000m episode was the trainer of boom Albury sprinter Sparring (nominated with 55.5 kg and James McDonald tipped to ride) not accepting, likely because of the extended deluge that hit the track on Tuesday, leaving it a Heavy 8 or worse.

Aside, Mason, who won a Highway in May of 2016 with Royal Engineer, is positive enough returning to headquarters.

“I haven’t had the quality since to be competitive in town - strong race but this big fella goes pretty good, a tongue tie brought out his best and they don’t go much better at Scone (900m) than his final section,” Mason offered.

“We worked him out this prep, choked down in a couple of ordinary runs. Pretty simple if they don’t get enough oxygen.

“We used a tongue tie first time in that trial, he went like a winner and took it to raceday. He put them away with the turn of foot of a smart horse.

“That’s when we set him for this before the series has a recess.”

Mason has no concerns if the track stays heavy: “Smart Missiles, generally handle it and he’s from a Lonhro mare (Pass) they get through it.”

There’s always high pressure in these short races and a heavy track will make it more like a test at 1200m and that suits Mason.

“He's a lump of a horse, real big stride, he’ll get home hard if we get the right run and the draw (13) isn’t too bad.

“Inside would have been no good to him in big fields in the going and crowded. He needs space to wind up and get to the middle of the track, that’s important for Tommy (Sherry).”

Taketheshot is wider in betting behind runners with prolific Highway winners Matthew Dale (Pretty Woman, $8; Devils Triangle, $8) and Danny Williams (Shelby Sixtysix, $5.50; Prince Nicconi, $10; Brazen Impact, $11).

A Heavy surface is assured with Sydney copping a stack of rain over the past two days with more showers forecast through to the weekend.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here