Joseph Pride and James Cummings both hold top hopes in Friday’s Listed Scone Cup with Archedemus and Phaistos jostling for favouritism in Ladbrokes’ market.
Favourites have a strong record in this race with Duca Valentinois being the last double-digit winner back in 2017, and it’s extremely tough to argue with the two in-form gallopers.
The Scone Cup is always one of the most eagerly anticipated races on the calendar, so as always, we’ve previewed the entire field and our Scone Cup tips can be found below!
Sixties Groove
Sixties Groove capped off a brilliant Winter Carnival last year by taking out the Group 2 Brisbane Cup, but has not been seen at the races since pulling up lame in September’s Wyong Cup.
The Australian Bloodstock gelding has been charged with the top weight on Friday and has only recorded two placings from eight starts first-up.
The seven-year-old has trialled twice leading in but has never won before over the mile but probably warrants consideration over further.
Big Duke
Big Duke is another Australian Bloodstock runner returning from a lengthy spell carrying equal third in the weights.
The Irish import’s last win came in the St Leger at Randwick back in 2017 with the old boy struggling to find consistent form ever since.
Big Duke had a forgettable campaign during the Spring where he ran last in the Caulfield Cup, meaning he would need to produce something special here in order to cause an upset.
Chief Ironside
Chief Ironside looks to be the best of the Australian Bloodstock chances if he can take improvement away from his luckless first-up run when 10th over the 1400m at Randwick.
The five-year-old has won only three from his 17 career starts, but is a proven winner over the distance having won the Group 2 Crystal Mile in surprise fashion at Moonee Valley during the Spring.
Chief Ironside will carry a similar weight on Friday and also has some strong second-up form working in his favour. He’s drawn ideally in barrier 8 and has place claims.
Dr Drill
Dr Drill returned to the races in great order placing third in the Listed Ranvet Abell Stakes at The Valley on March 13.
The British raider struggled from the wide draw stepping up to the 1400m in his next run at Randwick, but did run on for second over the mile under Craig Williams back in the Spring.
Jockey Keagan Latham should get a lovely run on the inside and the pair figure to be in the mix.
Archedemus
Archedemus found plenty of support first-up in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup where he went straight to the front to battle home for fourth behind Amangiri.
Jockey Rory Hutchings will likely make a similar decision from the wide draw on Friday and the pair could easily figure in the finish with a bit of luck down the straight.
The six-year-old by Lope de Vega has won twice before over the mile and has as many wins to his name second-up. The wide draw is of concern, but he should be doing his best work late.
Military Zone
Military Zone returned to the races in good order three weeks ago at Randwick where he ran a length fifth in a BM100 race over the 1400m.
The Snowden-trained four-year-old has since trailed under James McDonald in the lead up to Friday’s race but unfortunately received no favours at the gates drawing wide in barrier 12.
Military Zone is yet to win over the mile but should appreciate the step up in distance after finishing strongly first-up. He races well on top of the ground and rates as a decent each-way chance.
Sambro
Sambro won the Group 2 Queensland Guineas over the same distance back in 2018 and, while he’s struggled for form ever since, could sneak into the minors on Friday from a good gate.
The gelding by Fastnet Rock finished 8 of 14 first-up over the 1400m at Randwick three weeks ago but did run a big race second-up behind Quackerjack and Invincible Gem second-up during his last campaign. Freshened and can go on with it.
Satono Rasen
Satono Rasen is still searching for his first win in Australia and looks to have the odds stacked against him in the 2020 Scone Cup resuming from a spell. Can’t have over this distance.
Black On Gold
Black On Gold closed his last campaign off with three consecutive placings over the 2000m at Randwick and the 2400m at the Gold Coast. He returns with form to his name first-up, but rates as one to watch further into his prep.
Live and Free
Live and Free began his preparation well with an eye-catching second behind Amangiri first-up in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup, but will need to overcome barrier 13 with Jeff Penza replacing Glen Boss in the saddle.
The son of Savabeel also grabbed a place second-up in the Group 3 Festival Stakes second-up during the Spring and a case could be made for him in the minors.
Phaistos
It’s very tough to fault the form of Godolphin gelding Phaistos as he looks to string together two in a row.
The four-year-old by Helmet returned to the races to run second behind Ranier first-up before going one better over the 1400m at Randwick-Kensington to win narrowly on the line.
Phaistos has now recorded six wins from 15 starts and has drawn to get a lovely run in transit from barrier 9. He’ll strip fitter third-up over the mile, with Hugh Bowman’s absence being the only real knock.
Bobbing
Bobbing made up ground in his first-up run at Tamworth when sixth carrying the top weight over 1400m. The only hometown hope has drawn a handy gate here and is capable of running a cheeky race.
Cutadeel
Cutadeel is a three-time winner over the mile but tends to prefer a wet track. The four-year-old by Dundeel weakened out of it in his last start at Randwick-Kensington and has drawn well wide on Friday. Will find this tough.
Oakfield Missile
Oakfield Missile won at big odds in his last start at Rosehill pipping True Detective right on the line over the 1300m. Up in class now and looks unlikely to repeat.
Royal Tudor
Royal Tudor was a winner over the 1400m last time in at Randwick but is unlikely to trouble most of these from the wide draw. Steps up in class and has struggled over the mile to date.
The Getaway
The Getaway struggled in his first-up run at Randwick-Kensington a fortnight ago and tends to like racing over further. Much tougher company here and looks tested.
Petrology
Petrology won the Muswellbrook Cup in his last start over the 1500m and is the first emergency in the 2020 Scone Cup field. This is a step up in grade for the eight-year-old and it looks a bit beyond him.
Costello
Costello is returning from a 30-day letup following his last start win at Randwick-Kensington amongst BM74 company. The four-year-old is the second emergency on Friday and is stepping up in class.
Unbiased
Unbiased returned to the races with a first-up fourth in the Tamworth Cup racing with the blinkers off. He is the third emergency in the 2020 Scone Cup field and is racing at Listed level for the first time.
Plaisir
Plaisir struggled in his return to the races where he finished towards the back in the Tamworth Cup. Cannot entertain.
Scone Cup Tip
10 Live and Free at $6.00
