Scone 24 Feb 2026
GOING: S(7)
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SCONE RSL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1600m Track: SOFT 7 Clear (Max: 35) Rail: +6m Entire. |
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A strong tempo is assured with Are You Kidding and Nature Boy leading the charge. GRANDINI (6) missed the start then made a long, sustained run to get up for third last start over 1400m at Tamworth. Perfectly placed out to this distance at the third run back. Might need luck at some stage from that inside draw as she gets back but if things go right she is the one to beat. ARE YOU KIDDING (1) is the X-factor after his demolition job in a 1500m Muswellbrook maiden last time out. That was on a heavy track so he has to bring that form to a firmer surface, but the dominance of the win is hard to ignore. DAMASCUS GATE (5) also scored over 1500m in the wet at Muswellbrook recently, leading for home then hanging on gamely. Definitely a better horse in heavy going but can also feature on top of the ground. ROSES IMMINENTE (3) has struggled in a couple of Class 3 Highways of late, but she can improve sharply back in this grade. BIG SHORT (4) rarely wins but has a 60% top-three strike-rate at the mile so must go in trifectas and first fours. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Grandini.
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| 1 | 231 |
ARE YOU KIDDING
PAUL MESSARA & LEAH GAVRANICH 3YO BAY GELDING 61.0KG Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: J M Messara) Racing well recently. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 5.5 len win at Muswellbrook Mdn February 9 over 1500m in heavy going defeating Warm Front with 59.5kg at $1.22. The run before that 3rd of 14 at this track Ctry Mdn-Sw on January 29 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind On One carrying 58kg at $1.80. In good hands and can go to the next level now. |
3 AARON BULLOCK |
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| 2 | 4115x |
DIPIERDOMENICO
ROBERT KNIGHT 5YO BAY GELDING 61.0KG R J Knight, Mrs R M Knight & Ms K K Blain Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation fifth of 10 at Grafton Bm58 November 30 over 2230m, 6 len behind Taravia carrying 59kg at $11. First up last campaign third of 9 at Walcha Cl1 February 7 2025 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Electric Evie carrying 54kg at $26. Not keen. |
8 ELLA DREW |
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| 3 | x3400 |
ROSES IMMINENTE
LOU MARY 4YO B/BR MARE 60.0KG L Mary, Braebrook Thoroughbreds (Mgr: M G Porlezza), NPC Sports (Mgr: S W Fisher), S W Newell, K F King, Mrs R Lancaster, J A Gunton & Miss S Lancaster Last start ran last of 17 at Rosehill H'way-C3sw on January 31 over 1500m, 6 len behind Navy Steel with 57kg at $31. Before that 10th of 18 at Rosehill Highway-C3 on January 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Considered carrying 54kg at $8.50. Back in class this time and is sure to be thereabouts. |
1 DEON LE ROUX |
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| 4 | x7625 |
BIG SHORT
DAVID HATCH 7YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG M D Keating, Mrs S J Keating & L F Hatch Most recently 5th of 11 at Walcha Bm58 on February 6 over 1700m, 3.5 len behind Airswing carrying 58.5kg at $6. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 at this track Bm58 on January 29 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Shutter carrying 60.5kg at $21. Big chance on that effort two starts ago. |
4 C REITH |
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| 5 | 68471 |
DAMASCUS GATE
CARLOS ANTONIO 5YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG C Antonio Most recently won by a long-neck at Muswellbrook Ctry Bm58 February 9 over 1500m in heavy going defeating Commando Jack carrying 56kg at $5.50. The race before that 7th of 10 at this track Bm58 on January 29 over 1600m, 7 len behind Shutter carrying 59kg at $17. Confidence high and is right in the mix again. |
10 LIBERTY SMYTH |
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| 6 | 23x53 |
GRANDINI
RODNEY NORTHAM 5YO BAY MARE 60.0KG T R Ryan, B R Curphey, S R Keene, R And R Racing (Mgr: R Northam), Miss C Hyndman, Dr D O'Meara, A J Carpenter, Mrs H L Carpenter & D Metcalfe Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 12 at this track Ctry Bm58 on January 29 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Vierville with 60kg at $9.50. Second run from a spell 3rd of 13 at Tamworth Bm58 on February 13 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Halo Phenomena carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Has a nice third-up record and from a perfect draw should build on that today. |
2 LEESHELLE SMALL |
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| 7 | 90723 |
NATURE BOY
LEA SELBY 9YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG Mrs L F Selby Last start led but faded 3rd of 10 at Tamworth Bm58 on February 13 over 2100m, 3.5 len behind Fulmen Filou carrying 57.5kg at $13. The race before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 10 at Grafton Bm58 on February 3 over 2200m, 2.5 len behind Fulmen Filou with 57.5kg at $7. Hard to fault of late but coming back to this trip makes it tough. |
9 LEANNE BOYD |
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| 8 | x7458 |
CORPSMAN
JEREMY SYLVESTER 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 55.0KG M J Harding & M G Harding Last start 8th of 11 at Muswellbrook Ctry Bm58 on February 9 over 1500m, on heavy track; 7 len behind Damascus Gate carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. The start before that eased back early on 5th of 10 at this track Bm58 on January 29 over 1600m, 4 len behind Shutter with 56kg at $51. Looks safely held. |
6 R JONES |
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| 9 | 86423 |
TYCOON LAD
LEA SELBY 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 55.0KG Mrs L F Selby Last start 3rd of 9 at Walcha Bm 50 Hcp on February 7 over 1440m, 2.5 len behind Rivoli Star with 55.5kg at $5. The start before that 2nd of 13 at Tamworth Bm50 on January 31 over 1600m, head behind Gloryess with 55.5kg at $7. Has been racing well but finds a difficult assignment here. |
5 J PENZA |
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| 10 | 44566 |
CHEEKY NUGGET
JULIA PRESITS 8YO CHESTNUT GELDING 55.0KG Ms J Presits At the latest run 6th of 11 at Muswellbrook Ctry Bm58 on February 9 over 1500m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Damascus Gate carrying 52kg at $31. Before that 6th of 13 at Tamworth Bm50 on January 31 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Gloryess carrying 56kg at $61. Hard to see him improving enough to trouble this field. |
7 ANNA ROPER |
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