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By Tony Megahey

Despite the preference and pronounced influence of James McDonald, wily Scone trainer Stephen Jones doesn’t consider the betting is a true guide to his short-priced favourite Custo compared to his outsider Polylithic into a cracking 1000m TAB Highway at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The “J-Mac tax” has three-year-old colt Custo $3.80 TAB favourite and jumping grades, conceding experience to older sprinters while Polylithic with Josh Parr is $21 despite a brilliant winning double.

Custo (Rory Hutchings) wins with ease at Muswellbrook. Image by Bradley Photographers

However, if McDonald sought the ride a kilo over on Custo that’ll be enough for the champion’s hordes of supporters into a strong Class 3 episode elevating from a moderate Class I at Muswellbrook.

A super short course episode contains 13 recent race winners, an appealing support to an enthralling Group raceday.

McDonald backs up on Custo after defeat at Wyong, compensated by a dominant Class 1 win at Muswellbrook in near record time.

Elevating to Saturday’s particularly strong $100,000 Class 3, he was allocated 54kg but 55kg was McDonald's limit. Over to the wily Jones boy.

“James put himself on this colt after Wyong, we didn’t have much luck that day and when he bolted in at Muswellbrook, Randwick - with James - was the plan.

“The kilo over isn’t relevant at 1000m when you’ve got him on. But in saying that, the other mare Polylithic is very quick, I think she can lead.

“I don’t focus on the betting markets, but I wouldn’t think they should be that far apart. They ran similar time on rain-affected at Muswellbrook, comparable to the record.

“This is a really strong form race, but I don’t think there’s many who can lead “Polly.” The colt probably has more class and upside than a five-year-old mare, but she’s put two together by a space.”

Prior to Muswellbrook she won by four plus lengths at Scone.

There are four early scratchings from the widest barriers, Cody Morgan’s trio, Ezekeil, Le Melody and Ostracised, plus Monte Di Fiore.

At present headquarters is a Soft 5 in overcast weather.

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