The final race of the Scone two-day meeting is a great way to finish. A scamper over 1100m that, with a full field lining up, creates a race with a number of chances and an open market of 5/1 the field.
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1. ORTENSIA – N Rawiller (4)
Out to win the race named in her honour, the 7yo mare will have to find form judging by her two runs back since returning from overseas. She finished a long way behind Mrs. Onasis in the Oakleigh Plate and again in the Newmarket Handicap behind Shamexpress. Has to lug 62kgs here and it’ll take a big effort to win.
2. MIC MAC – (17)
Another seven year old and stable-mate to Ortensia who hasn’t raced since finishing sixth (beaten 1 ½ lengths) in the G1 The Galaxy behind Temple of Boom in April of last year. He’s had two barrier trails in readiness for his return, the most recent a close fourth at Newcastle on the 6th May.
3. SATIN SHOES – B Shinn (18)
A speedy mare that, despite some very good efforts in recent times, hasn’t been able to visited the winner’s stall since claiming an Open class race at Caulfield in October 2011. She’s had three runs back this prep and finished well back in the Oakleigh, Newmarket and at her most recent run, the G2 Sapphire Stakes. This is her trip (she’s won four from eight and placed twice) but given her strike rate and draw, would think she’s a place chance only.
4. BORDER REBEL – (5)
Honest galloper who has won fourteen from thirty-two but failed to run a place in his last six starts. The most recent was his best effort for a while and was a fourth behind Famous Seamus (since won again) in the Listed Hinkler Quality. Drawn to get a good run here and capable of producing a cheeky effort on his best form.
5. ZARATONE – B Avdulla (11)
Speedy customer who faces this race first up from a thirteen weeks spell. Trainer Bjorn Baker has ensured the 7yo is wound up with two trials and Avdulla has been in the saddle for both of them. Will have the speed to cross and lead and may prove hard to run down.
6. ANISE – K McEvoy (8)
Although her strike rate is poor, she’s never far away from the money and this was the case when she was produced first up in the Listed McCarten Stakes at Rosehill in March. Settling at the tail of the field, she finished strongly to run second to See The World (good since). We haven’t seen the daughter of General Nediym since however, she’s had two barrier trails to maintain her fitness. Look for her finishing hard late.
7. EMOTIANAL CIRCUS – (3)
Talented mare who can produce a very big finish in the right race – and this event might fit the bill. Only fair in the Birthday Card behind Arinosa and at her most recent start, in the Listed Silk Stocking on the Gold Coast, she had to cut back to the fence to find clear running and finished well to run sixth (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Detours. Inside draw probably not ideal but if she finds clear space at the top of the straight, is capable of running them down.
8. MOTSPUR – J Ford (2)
The 10yo, soon to be 11yo, returns to racing for his fifty-eighth start. Trainer Kris Lees has set him for this race – as he did with success last year – and has given him three barrier trails, the most recent of which, he has won. Supports a good fresh record (five wins and four placings from twelve starts) and last time he saw a weight like this (54kgs) was when he won this race last year.
9. METALLURGICAL – A Gibbons (19)
Flashed home first up in the Listed Bribie Handicap to run second to River Lad at 11/1 but was never sighted at his next start in the Hinkler Quality (a race he won last year) and finished over ten lengths from the winner. Would require a significant form reversal.
10. LIESELE – J McDonald (10)
After a poor effort at Eagle Farm in February, this 5yo Exceed and Excel mare was vetted and given an eleven week freshen-up. She resumed, as a 9/1 chance, in a Doomben BM 90 but not much went right in the run and she finished eleventh of thirteen. Has been to this carnival twice before with mixed results.
11. SHARNEE ROSE – (6)
Nadeem mare that beat, now a multiple Group 1 winner Platelet when resuming at Caulfield in March and backed that up with a fourth behind General Truce as 11/4 favourite, up the Flemington straight. Now with Kris Lees, she has her fair share of ability this mare and from six, gets a lovely run but is still only two wins from seventeen starts.
12. JEST CREWSIN’ – (9)
Another old-timer who, it is fair to say, is in the twilight of his career. Fancy his finding them just a few lengths too slick for him now and his last win was back in May 2011 at Randwick on a heavy track.
13. I GET AROUND – N Berry (1)
Strung together four on the trot earlier in his career for trainer Paul Perry and in his four subsequent starts since that last win, has started 6/4 fav, 4/1, 9/10on fav and 5/4 fav but, although he has gone close to, hasn’t been able to salute. Will no doubt go forward from his inside draw but will have plenty of company and be kept honest.
14. SUTTON QUEEN – (16)
A smart mare on her day, this daughter of Beautiful Crown hasn’t been quite up to the mark in her most recent outings. She finished sixth at Canterbury in a BM 80 before being taken to Muswellbrook at her last start where she finished seventh of twelve. Would need to lift.
15. TEXAN LAD – (15)
A stable-mate to the above runner who won her last start at Gunnedah by ½ length over four competitors. She’ll need to lift plenty on that effort to worry most of these.
16. KIRNATA – T Clark (7)
It has been a while since this mare last won a race, eleven starts ago to be precise when victorious in a BM 80 at Rosehill. She’s only placed once since and is backing up from a fifth (beaten 4.7 lengths) behind Disciple last week at Rosehill when quoted a 60/1 chance.
17. MICKELBERG – (13)
Trainer Gary Portelli has done well with horse and drawn two wins out of him. Those wins have come when he’s allowed to free-ball out in front. Suspect if he tries that tactic today – the only tactic he’s got – he’ll be softened up by others in a keen contest for the lead and fold late.
18. RIVA DE LAGO – SCRATCHED
19. FIREBALL – (12)
He kept his good record fresh intact by winning a Muswellbrook Open race on resumption from a fourteen week spell. He appears to go as well second, having won two from three but in races not close to that of this quality. Prefer in something easier.
OVERVIEW
They’ll burn turf here as Zaratone, Mickelburg, Satin Shoes and I Get Around all jump and run. Looking for a horse that can sit behind them and get the trail and has a good record over slightly longer and think Anise fits the bill. From eight, she should be able to stay off the fence and jump on the back of one or two going forward at the right time and finish hard. Similar scenario for Sharnee Rose and think old Motspur (who has been set for this race) will get a chance from the draw but did think the $7.00 currently on offer for him, was as short as you’d like to go.