The highlight of the first day of the two-day Scone meeting is the running of the Listed Scone Cup. A capacity field line up for the $200,000.00 race with Mauro ($6.00) the early favourite in a wide open market. Raspberries, winner of this race last year is out to make it back-back wins and is quoted an $8.00 chance.
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1. FAT AL – N Rawiller (2)
In his three runs since winning the G1 Epsom Handicap in October, the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper has been well beaten on each occasion. The most recent was when he was first up from a spell in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes (1200m), where from a wide gate, he settled on the pace and weakened noticeably in the run home to finish twelfth, over six lengths from the winner Rarefied. Much better draw here and ran third in the G2 Shannon Stakes last prep but been allocated 61kgs.
2. FIREBOLT – M Rodd (4)
Won the Listed Tatt’s Mille back in June of last year and we didn’t see him then until he to also resumed in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes. Got back to last in the Hall Mark and had little luck obtaining clear running room in the straight. He should’ve finished closer than his eighth (beaten 4.4 lengths). Will be better for that run, has a very good record over this trip and should be able to settle in a better position than last start form gate 4.
3. SPEEDINESS – C Reith (10)
He competed in the Listed Rowley Mile at his most recent start after winning the Listed Pink Ribbon Cup (1400m) at Caulfield. Not a bad effort in the Rowley where he got back in a race and on a track that favoured those up front. He ran second to Fast Clip in the Doncaster Prelude and fourth in the G2 Blamey Stakes over this distance last prep and would have to be considered a live chance in this.
4. BEATEN UP – SCRATCHED
5. ILLO – (17)
Former European galloper who when he first came to Australia, produced some very good efforts, giving the indication that he’d win a good race but, thirteen runs later and we’re still waiting for that win to come. Ran a great race first up at 40/1 to finish third behind in-from pair of Skyerush and Alma’s Fury in the Doncaster Prelude but last start, as 3/1 favourite in the Wagga Cup (2000m) was poor. He’ll find it hard from seventeen.
6. RASPBERRIES – K McEvoy (9)
Smart mare who despite not having had registered a win in her past eight starts, has never been far from the winner. She made good ground late to run fourth behind Skyerush and Alma’s Fury in the G3 Doncaster Prelude and chased home Skyerush again when seventh (beaten 3.2 lengths) in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m). Raced wide with no cover last start and her record suggests she’s a legitimate chance here at good odds.
7. MOURO – G Schofield (11)
Schofield combined successfully with Trainer Tony McEvoy again when this galloper claimed the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago. That was the 4yo’s fourth win from eight starts and was a tough on-pace effort, holding off Beaten Up to win by a nose. Rises 2kg and drawn wider today but improves each times he steps out.
8. WILLY JIMMY – R Quinn (8)
Despite being a 7yo, he only lines up for start number thirty-five. He ran a career best when fourth in the G2 Apollo Stakes back in Feb and backed that up with good performance in the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) before being freshened up after finishing near last in the G2 Ajax Stakes at the end of March. He’s been kept up to the mark by trainer Guy Walter with two barrier trials and finished second to Dyshonia in this race 2011.
9. SAY NO MORE – (3)
Former NZ mare now with Chris Waller who has been average in her two runs this time in. The daughter of Pentire resumed with a seventh in the G3 Sebring Stakes and after settling on the speed at her next start in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m), weakened to run ninth (beaten close to six lengths). Jumped up to a mile from six furlongs last start so will be fitter again. Drops 3kgs, is drawn well and she’s 3 from 4 this distance.
10. CANTONESE – B Avdulla (4)
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker had this 5yo flying last preparation and produced him to win six of his nine races at one stage. He had two barrier trails in readiness for his return to racing in a BM 95 over 1400m but never looked comfortable on the Heavy track and finished near seven lengths from the winner. He has won a barrier trail since that run and will roll them along from his inside draw but he may need this run and longer again.
11. SCREAM MACHINE – T Clark (14)
A 4yo who produced good efforts in the G2 Ajax, G3 Doncaster Prelude and Listed JRA Plate, was rewarded for his form with a very good win in the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) a fortnight ago. With the big field and all likelihood of a solid speed, the wide gate and drop back in distance to a mile may not be too greater of obstacles for him to overcome. He’ll be finishing hard.
12. FLORIA – J Parr (6)
A former New Zealand mare by Savabeel who is now with trainer Peter Moody and made her Australian debut run in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m). From a wide gate, she lobbed in a good spot and held on well for second behind the in-form Skyerush. Can only be fitter for that run, has drawn to get a similar run here and would think that the she would not have had to take too much improvement from that run to be competitive here.
13. CATHAY LADY – M Walker (1)
She worked through her grades in good style last preparation culminating in a head win in the Listed Belle of the Turf at Gosford (1600m). The daughter of Exceed and Excel was typically tough first up when third in the Wenona Girl behind Choice words before finding the class of competitor in the G1 Queen of the Turf, too much. Bounced back with a better effort last start in the G2 Emancipation Stakes when third (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind Skyerush. Will no doubt lead from the inside gate and can prove hard to run down.
14. KEITH’S LEGACY – P Robl (18)
Made it two wins on the trot when securing a win in a BM 95 at Randwick and that form saw him installed the 15/8 favourite for the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury a fortnight back. He got back from his wide draw in a race dominated by those up front and finished fourth (beaten 3.1 lengths). This second attempt at Black Type will not be made any easier from the draw.
15. MERLIN MUSTANG – SCRATCHED
16. JIMMY FORTUNES – G Buckley (20)
Winner of two of his past three starts, those wins coming at Bathurst (2000m) and at his most recent start, the Orange Gold Cup (1600m). Ward ran second in that race and went around at Canterbury during the week in a BM 75 and ran third. That formline, combined with gate twenty makes it very challenging for him.
17. KAYPERS – (16)
Local Trainer will have his charge cherry ripe for this event and, given the 5yo’s form in Sydney during the earlier part of the Autumn Carnival, would have to be considered an each-way chance. He ran third in the Listed Parramatta Cup (2000m) and wasn’t far off Tremec and Julienas in the Listed Randwick City (2200m) and Manion Cup (2400m) respectively. He has been freshened up for this and was given a barrier trial at Newcastle last week to sharpen him up. One at good odds for the multiples.
18. HOME ON A WING – N Berry (5)
Despite being a representative of the very much in-from Anthony Cummings yard, think this 6yo, who has only two wins from twenty six starts to his name, will struggle here. He was well beaten in a BM 95 first up and again at his most recent start in the Listed Rowley Mile. Can’t see him turning the tables on those who finished in front of him last start.
19. DOUBLE HALO – (19)
From the yard of local trainer Luke Griffith this 5yo, whilst very consistent will find the rise in class too great of a challenge. He ran a nose second to Petrify last start in a Restricted race at Hawkesbury over 1300m and his third run in this prep.
20. MR. ARMSTRONG –
He ran a big race in this race last year when, as a 40/1 chance, he ran sixth (beaten 2 lengths) behind Raspberries. He got a long way back when resuming in the Hinkler Quality but never threatened and finished eleventh, some seven lengths from the winner Famous Seamus. Has won two from six when second up but would place a few before him here.
OVERVIEW
Pace should be very strong with Cathay Lady, Fat Al and Cantonese all keen to go forward. Handy should be Floria, Say No More and Keith’s Legacy from his wide draw. Going with Firebolt here in a wide open race. Thought his run first up was very good and he’ll enjoy the solid tempo they’ll put on up front. He put together a very strong campaign last time in, including a second and a third behind Solzhenitsyn and can see him finishing hard down the centre of the track. Raspberries will get her chance to record her second Scone Cup given her recent form which is just as good as the lead-up for she displayed last year. A host of them line up for the placings with Floria, Kaypers and Scream Machine the pick for mine.
