Scone races on Monday with seven races, starting at 1:50pm AEDT. The track was rated a Good 4 at the time of writing.
Ocean Tsunami in Race 3 is our best bet after a win at Randwick. Tasman Deel (Race 1) and The Autumn Wind (Race 7) are both short-priced, and Putinacall at $9.50 in Race 6 is the value play on the card.
Race 1 - Kia Ora Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2200m)
Selection: Tasman Deel Current odds: $1.45
Tasman Deel won by nearly five lengths over this course last start and should be on or near the lead again. The price is short, but it is clearly the best horse in the race. Mission Strike backs up from a second at Gosford and is the most likely danger. Quirky Princess has drawn the inside and is a good each-way option.
Selections:
- Tasman Deel - $1.45
- Mission Strike - $4.20
- Quirky Princess - $9.50
- Pepperina - $10.00
Race 2 - Select Events Maiden Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Shanti Current odds: $2.50
Shanti ran a good second at Newcastle and has been consistent since returning from a spell. It has the early speed to sit handy. Reelflare is the narrow favourite, wears blinkers for the first time and drops to country grade, so we expect a close finish between these two. Moongleam ran third at Muswellbrook and should be fitter for its recent runs. Fly The Wind has been scratched.
Selections:
- Shanti - $2.50
- Reelflare - $2.15
- Moongleam - $5.50
- Post Mark - $8.50
Race 3 - Magic Millions BM74 Handicap (1700m)
Selection: Ocean Tsunami Current odds: $1.70
Ocean Tsunami won at Randwick last start and now drops to a country Benchmark 74. The blinkers come off, and an apprentice claim keeps the weight down. This is our strongest bet of the day. Alabama Blitz has drawn well and wears winkers for the first time, so it is the main danger. Wandjad has won three in a row and should not be ignored, but it faces stronger opposition here.
Selections:
- Ocean Tsunami - $1.70
- Alabama Blitz - $5.00
- Wandjad - $6.00
- Samurai - $8.00
Race 4 - Emirates Park Country Boosted Maiden Plate (900m)
Selection: Tennessee River Current odds: $1.80
Tennessee River was beaten as favourite first up over this course but finished strongly and should improve second up. It has a good draw for a 900m sprint. Dr Hook resumes after 25 weeks, has placed at all its previous starts and finishes fast, so these two should fight it out. First starter Gidgea Tree won a trial at Muswellbrook and has drawn the inside.
Selections:
- Tennessee River - $1.80
- Dr Hook - $2.15
- Gidgea Tree - $7.50
- Bungan Bouncer - $21.00
Race 5 - Scone Equine Hospital Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Tickelova Current odds: $3.90
Tickelova ran second at Newcastle when fresh, beaten only half a length, and comes from a stable in good form. Aaron Bullock riding is another plus. Umbusi ran on for fourth over this course in its debut and has drawn well, so it is the main danger. Vaguely Red is a first starter by Maurice and ran second in a recent trial.
Selections:
- Tickelova - $3.90
- Umbusi - $4.20
- Halcyon Belle - $5.50
- Vaguely Red - $8.00
Race 6 - Darley Class 1 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Putinacall Current odds: $9.50
Putinacall has not run a bad race this preparation and was narrowly beaten as a well-backed runner at Port Macquarie last start. At $9.50 it is the value play on the card, so we would take it each way. Cosmic Jinks was also narrowly beaten after heavy support at Muswellbrook and is the main danger. Pure Motive won its only start at Muswellbrook easily but meets better horses here.
Selections:
- Putinacall - $9.50
- Cosmic Jinks - $3.90
- Pure Motive - $4.40
- Won’thearmecoming - $4.20
Race 7 - Emirates Park Country Boosted BM58 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: The Autumn Wind Current odds: $1.50
The Autumn Wind won its only start over this course easily and has drawn a good gate for its second start. Improvement is likely, and it deserves to be favourite. Kermitisapet won by more than three lengths at Beaumont but carries more weight here. Overzone resumes after 25 weeks and won first up last preparation, so it is another danger.
Selections:
- The Autumn Wind - $1.50
- Kermitisapet - $6.00
- Overzone - $6.50
- The Dux Nuts - $15.00
