| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
11:05
|
SCONE RSL MIDWAY BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1700m
Solid tempo headed by Viewpoint and Claim The Crown.
THE MONA LISA (5) was ridden closer to the speed last start and ran a much better race, hanging on well for a close fourth over 1500m in a Hawkesbury Midway. On trial at this distance but she should run it out strongly. Good enough to take care of these on her day. OAKFIELD SATURN (2) was enormous first-up at Kembla then struggled in the Midway Final at Randwick during the Championships. Finding the line well in shorter races so this first crack at 1700m should hold no fears. MONKHANA (9) settled near the tail before catching the eye late over the mile at Gosford recently. Goes best for Anna Roper who is back aboard. The extra trip on a roomier track looks a nice set-up. AIX EN PROVENCE (1) has been about the money all prep. Down in class today and should be peaking at the fourth run back. CHANGE MY ADDRESS (10) was strong through the line when successful over 1500m at Newcastle last time. Looks ready for a first run beyond the mile. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing The Mona Lisa. |
|
2
|
11:40
|
TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1600m
Despite the wide draw Hammoon Sensation should cross and set a genuine tempo. OCCULT (3) faced defeat for the first time since December 2024 when runner-up last time out in a 1400m Randwick Highway. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and despite a wide gate and being on trial at this distance he is racing too well to overlook. XCESSIVE FORCE (12) led in a foreign role recently at the Kensington track before wilting close to home. That was her first run in five weeks so she should be more resilient this time. MOON SWEEPER (1) brings strong Brisbane form to the race. The handicapper hasn't missed him which is the niggling concern. AUTUMN KING (2) hasn't been disgraced in stakes races of late and has the class to stretch this field. SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Occult. |
|
3
|
12:15
|
YARRAMAN PARK WOODLANDS STAKES [LISTED RACE] 1100m
Fast tempo assured with Moscatel, La Gitana and Home Siren going toe-to-toe. MOSCATEL (3) started $3.00 favourite on debut 19 days ago over this distance at the Kensington track and could scarcely been more impressive, leading from get-go and putting a big space on her rivals. Has the gate speed to negate the wide alley. Should lead and dominate once again. HELLENIC BELLE (2) last appeared five weeks ago when she stalked the leader then went home far too well in the rich Wellington Boot over today's journey. Getting better with racing and this is certainly not out of reach. LADY CATALINA (7) won well two back to open her career then disappointed at Randwick last start when she folded after copping a bump early in the straight. Draws the car park but with even luck she can feature in the finish based on her debut performance. FOUND THE GOLD (6) next best on the back of a sound win on debut at Newcastle. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Moscatel. |
|
4
|
12:50
|
KIA ORA 3&4YO BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1300m
Strong early tempo with Lightning Glory and Just Response leading the way. JUST RESPONSE (10) returned from a 30-day let-up with a dogged all-the-way win last time out over 1250m at Newcastle. Yet to miss the top three in six career runs so despite taking on a better field today he is hard to fault. WOOTTON LASS (2) tackled the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas recently and did a great job to hang on for third after being handy in the run. Only needs to hold that form to be right in the thick of things. The lightly raced LIGHTNING GLORY (6) has led all the way to win at his two runs this time in work. Big test today but cannot be underestimated. Promising gelding NITRO (11) is in the mix first-up from a 160-day spell. SUGGESTED PLAY: Going with Just Response. |
|
5
|
01:25
|
MAGIC MILLIONS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1700m
Sacrify, Luskaire and Uzziah can set the pace. Very open affair. AMREEKIYAH (16) last appeared seven weeks ago when she performed below her best over 1400m at Rosehill. Won a race on 14 February when fresh from a seven-week let-up. Recent trial winner who can play a big role despite being untried at today's distance. UZZIAH (1) led and tried hard but was claimed late by subsequent winner Nobler over the mile at Randwick three weeks ago. Likely to push forward from a wide draw and if he can cross without burning too much fuel he will be tough to reel in. SACRIFY (14) led and defied all challengers to take out a BM78 over 1800m at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago. Only third-up today so there is improvement to come. SOUNDS UNUSUAL (8) returned with an eye-catching second over 1550m at the Kensington track recently. Placed at three of three second-up runs so he should hold that good form. MAN OF WORTH (4) picked up where he left off when resuming at Canterbury last start. Doesn't know how to run a bad race. SUGGESTED PLAY: Amreekiyah each-way. |
|
6
|
02:00
|
SCONE EQUINE HOSPITAL BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1100m
Expecting Hay Street to find the lead but there will be plenty of pressure over the sharp trip.
WANARUAH (4) did a terrific job to finish second when returning from a year off the scene in a similar race to this at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago, the first run for the Cavanough stable. Competitive against the likes of Autumn Glow and Angel Capital last season. Great chance to go one better. DUROVA (5) last appeared seven weeks ago when he recorded a seventh career win from just 13 runs in an open sprint at Muswellbrook. Tackling his biggest assignment yet but he has the talent to mix it with these. Honest three-year-old HAY STREET (12) had his chance but found a couple better when attempting the hat trick recently over 1000m at Randwick. Should cross and race handy. Genuine contender again. The flying LET'SFACETHEMUSIC (2) opened this prep with back-to-back wins before being overwhelmed late over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start. Seven top three finishes from eight tries at this trip reads well. CALL ME GORGEOUS (7) gets a nice run from gate two and should be in the finish again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Wanaruah in a very good BM78. |
|
7
|
02:35
|
COOLMORE DENISE'S JOY STAKES [LISTED RACE] 1100m
Plenty of speed with Mercy Me, Casserousse and All Adore leading Lull and Agarwood. ALL ADORE (8) won back-to-back races with complete authority then encountered a heavy track at Eagle Farm last start and was less dynamic. A track just on the soft side is perfect. Will spear over from a wide alley and prove hard to beat once again. CASSEROUSSE (14) goes up a level today after two wins from two runs this time in work. Goes fast so McEvoy can use an inside gate to advantage. Great chance to win again down in the weights. CANTIAMO (5) has won four from eight, the four failures coming at stakes level. Having another crack on the back of some excellent recent form. One for the exotics. AKAYSHA (2) is a last start winner in the mud at Listed level. Might be less effective in this going but is in the mix. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing All Adore. |
|
8
|
03:10
|
EMIRATES PARK ORTENSIA STAKES [LISTED RACE] 1100m
Fast pace with The Instructor showing out and Bev's Nine crossing to apply some pressure.
GOLDEN STRAAND (15) is an emerging talent who deserves his chance at this level. Has raced twice this prep and won twice, both at today's trip. Goes from a BM78 to Listed company but his figures suggest he is up to the task with just 53 kgs. The wide gate is the only nagging worry. OUR KOBISON (11) was handy on the corner but was a shade disappointing in the closing stages of the Hawkesbury Gold Rush over this distance last time out. Fitter and draws a better gate so might be worth another chance. MONTE SUPREME (12) gave a way a big start in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush before sprouting wings to grab third. Goes back again from the outside alley but the long run home at Scone is in her favour. BEV'S NINE (9) turned in a career-best performance last start in the Gold Rush. A wide gate is a worry and he has to perform to that high level again which is a challenge. Still deserves respect. Recent trial winner FIRE STAR (10) can run a big race first-up from a 15-week spell. SUGGESTED PLAY: Lots of question marks - a little each-way on Golden Straand. |
|
9
|
03:50
|
ARROWFIELD DARK JEWEL CLASSIC [GROUP 3] 1400m
Strong tempo with Oh Diamond Lil and Surfin' Bird leading the way over Arriving Home. Most of the chances here went around in the 1300m Hawkesbury Crown a fortnight ago. SURFIN' BIRD (9) was denied by the barest margin when resuming in that Group 3 feature after giving everything in the closing stages. Crossed from a wide alley that day but draws in close this time. Fitter and looks ready to go one better. ARRIVING HOME (12) led and gave a great sight at Hawkesbury but was gunned down late and finished 0.6 lengths off Surfin' Bird. Meets her 2kgs better so there won't be much in it again. OH DIAMOND LIL (6) choked down when fresh from a spell last start so the run is best overlooked. Has won at this level and is capable of testing this field if all is well. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (15) closed in great style to finish midfield when resuming in the Gold Rush. Another 100m on a roomier track brings her right into calculations. MORE TERRITORIES (11) has been freshened up since an eye-catching effort in the G2 Sapphire at Randwick. Will get back but watch for her late. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Surfin' Bird. |
|
10
|
04:30
|
DARLEY LUSKIN STAR STAKES [LISTED RACE] 1300m
Genuine pace headed by Zou Sensation who should kick up along the paint. LINEBACKER (2) has the class edge in this field. Last appeared when a tiring sixth in the Doncaster six weeks ago. Beaten 1.5 lengths by Joliestar in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes over this trip in March. That form stands out in a race of this quality. ESTADIO MESTALLA (1) made late ground but was never a threat first-up in the 1100m Hawkesbury Gold Rush at Listed level. One placing in seven second-up runs is a flashing light. Too good to rule out all the same. CAPTAIN FURAI (13) has gone to new heights this prep, capped by a gutsy win in a BM100 last time out at Randwick. Three runs at this distance for three wins is a compelling stat. Can go to this next level now. POINT AND SHOOT (16) missed the kick but still went awfully at Wagga last time. Better than that so worth another chance down in the weights. SUGGESTED PLAY: Linebacker to win. |
