Races

Chris Nelson’s Saturday Scone Preview

Posted on | Posted by Chris Nelson

RACE 1

Big weekend of racing coming up at Scone with meetings on Friday & Saturday. Weather fine, track good. The Saturday program gets underway with a 1700m Midway, I’m with (9) MONKHANA at odds on an each-way basis. She hit the line well two back at Rosehill before held up yet making late ground when clear at Gosford with the steadier of 59.5kg, worth a small throw at the stumps here. (2) OAKFIELD SATURN is 5 weeks between runs rising 300m, she may need the hit out however if the market stays strong with her I would definitely include. (1) AIX EN PROVENCE an improver back to this level.

Numbers: 9 – 2 – 1 – 6

Suggested Bet: MONKHANA EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 2

Big fields both days & this week’s Highway certainly has it’s fair share of runners. (2) AUTUMN KING has gone up at a backable each-way price in early markets & that’s the way I’m leaning. Dominant winning his first two starts this prep he was thrown in the deep end his next couple at Listed level & then Group 2 up north on an unsuitable heavy deck, he can bounce back hard at this level. (12) XCESSIVE FORCE draws well & gets a claim to help, in the place mix as is (4) OLYMPIAN who had excuses last start.

Numbers: 2 – 12 – 4 – 1

Suggested Bet: AUTUMN KING EACH-WAY.

RACE 3

The Listed Woodlands is up next, intriguing race with formerly 3, now 2 Chris Waller debutantes (10 & 11) who both come into the race off recent soft trials. (3) MOSCATEL dominates the early market based on her runaway Kensington debut victory, no doubt she looked the goods there however this is harder & she won’t get her own way in front, there’s plenty more early speed opposition & she draws wide. Second favourite (1) LA GITANA placed at Group & Listed level her only 2 starts in the Melbourne summer, at the odds I’d prefer to be in her corner. Of those Waller runners (11) EXPLOSIVE EXPRESS creates plenty of interest having trialled well in New Zealand before crossing the ditch, market?

Numbers: 1 – 3 – 11 – 2

Suggested Bet: LA GITANA EACH-WAY.

RACE 4

Always love a Peter Snowden first-upper coming off a trial win, they seem to win more often than not & in this race he sends (11) NITRO around having won his latest heat at Randwick. Only lightly raced he won on debut before placing his next two outings, with natural improvement over the break he does look very hard to beat even without the positive trial. (2) WOOTTON LASS was good in a stronger race two back before big odds & running well at Group 3 level last start. Way back in grade with the claim does look very well placed to run well. (18) PASADENA has plenty of upside & on the last start win will appreciate the rise in trip, does have to deal with a wide gate though.

Numbers: 11 – 2 – 18 – 1

Suggested Bet: Follow any market support for NITRO.

RACE 5

The consistent (14) SACRIFY should go around a good price here & maps to settle in a prominent spot early. A winner at 2 of his past 3 starts with a first up placing sandwiched in between he gets in nicely with the claim. (8) SOUNDS UNUSUAL raced well last prep & strips fitter for the first up run, she’s a chance however I’m concerned about the weight rise to 59.5kg. (1) UZZIAH gets the wide gate to go with his big weight, he’s a tough one though & won’t throw in the towel cheaply.

Numbers: 14 – 8 – 1 – 19

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 6

Sticking with (7) CALL ME GORGEOUS who won two straight in good fashion before giving a start & running home hard rising to Saturday company last run. Back to 1100m doesn’t look ideal on paper however the 3-week break between starts helps keep him fresh. (5) DUROVA has only been beaten once in her past 7 starts, she faces a tougher task here however I’d be surprised if she didn’t measure up. (12) HAY STREET chased home Compensation last start who has since won again, settles on speed & is aided by the claim.

Numbers: 7 – 5 – 12 – 13

Suggested Bet: CALL ME GORGEOUS TO WIN.

RACE 7

The Listed Denise’s Joy for the 3yo fillies looks a very competitive race on paper. (3) AGARWOOD gets the blinkers going on for the first time today & note she did wear them in a recent trial when a good third. Drawn more favourably than many of her main rivals she’s a genuine each-way chance. As I type (1) NEPO BABY is in the field, quick turnaround having beaten all bar Beadman at the Gold Coast last Saturday will have to lump the big weight today however draws ok & should land handily in the run. No joy at the barriers for both (2) AKAYSHA & (10) CONFIDENTIALITY however it’s a straight run to the home turn which helps.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 2 – 10

Suggested Bet: Box up top 4 selections in exotics.

RACE 8

The Listed Ortensia looks another wide-open affair. Going to have something on the resuming (10) FIRE STAR each way at double-figure odds. He’s a good fresh performer who gets in with a light weight & he has trialled well leading in. (9) BEV’S NINE holds an imposing strike rate however the wide gate is a concern as he’ll have to be used up early or go back which I don’t feel suits. Still happy to include however may go around ‘unders’. (15) GOLDEN STRAAND is hugely promising & will likely go back, watch for him to be closing hard late.

Numbers: 10 – 9 – 15 – 16

Suggested Bet: FIRE STAR EACH-WAY (small bet).

RACE 9

(9) SURFIN’ BIRD has won 4 of her7 starts & resumed with a solid first up placing at Hawkesbury when parked outside the leader. She gave plenty down the straight only going down narrowly & will strip fitter here also aided by the step up in distance. (1) TUILERIES will likely go back & look to run over the top of her rivals down the straight, she’s certainly capable enough should things pan out. Expect an improved effort from (6) OH DIAMOND LIL who pulled up with issues first up when favourite.

Numbers: 9 – 1 – 6 – 2

Suggested Bet: SURFIN’ BIRD TO WIN.

RACE 10

We wind up two huge days with another big field. The large numbers should generate plenty of tempo which should suit a backmarking type such as (16) POINT AND SHOOT who hit the line strongly first up before making a complete meal of the start at Wagga when never a winning chance. (2) LINEBACKER the class runner in the race, should he turn up anywhere near his best he’ll likely win, keep a very close eye on the market flucs. (9) FORMAL DISPLAY is flying however will have to do it from a wide draw today.

Numbers: 16 – 2 – 9 – 13

Suggested Bet: POINT AND SHOOT EACH-WAY (small bet).

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