As it usually does, the running of the Scone Cup this Friday has brought together a capacity and competitive field with Darley representative Wistful topping early markets at $5.50. Wistful will be out to join stable-mates Raspberries (2012), Dysphonia (2011) and Jeremiad (2004). Like Darley’s two most recent winners, Wistful is a mare coming off a good effort at last fortnight’s Hawkesbury meeting where she ran second to Leebaz, current favourite for this weekend’s G1 WFA Doomben Cup. Challenging Wistful for favouritism are Prince Cheri and Mecir both at $6 with top-weight Destiny’s Kiss, half a point further out at $6.50 Local hopes lay with Kaypers ($11) and Rowie ($15) who are from the Greg Bennett and Paul Messara stables respectively.

Scone Cup Form Guide

Scone Cup 2014 Field

1. DESTINY’S KISS – B Shinn (8) 58kgs

Spelled after running third (3/4 lengths) to Midsummer Sun in January’s Listed Gosford Cup (2100m) and returned to racing with a pleasing fifth (5.4 lengths) to the smart Weary in the G3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) back in April, with Leebaz and I’m Imposing, who have both been very good in subsequent runs, filling the placings The 5yo’s only start since was a strong win in a BM 95 (1600m) at Warwick Farm where under 59.5kgs, he made a sweeping run from the 500m, circling the field to win by ¾ length from with Wistful second. Third up looks ideal and the solid tempo and big Scone track will suit.

2. MECIR – J McDonald (13)

The Lonhro gelding won the G3 Newcastle Newmarket (1400m) first up off a seven week spell back in March by a neck, producing a strong finish from the tail of the field to defeat Strawberry Boy. His only run since came four weeks ago when taken to Caulfield for the G3 Victoria Handicap (1400m). He finished fourth (6.5 lengths) behind Sistine Demon – who won by six lengths, on a slow track. Ok last start, first go Victorian way on not really suited to the slow conditions but, he has been assigned 58kgs here and hasn’t carried that kind of weight for a while and never at this level.

3. PRINCE CHERI – J Ford (3)

Ran as well as could be expected when first up in the G1 WFA Chipping Norton Stakes, finishing sixth (3.4 lengths) behind Boban and It’s A Dundeel. Off that effort, David Vandyke’s stallion started the 3/1 favourite for the G3 Sky High Stakes (1900m) at his next start but after securing a lovely run in transit, could only manage eighth (2.9 lengths) behind Entirely Platinum. He hasn’t raced since that outing (March) but has been freshened up for this race with two barrier trials in the past three weeks, the most recent of which he won in good style. A G3 winner and can produce a run fresh. Not to be taken lightly.

4. FULL OF SPIRIT – C Schofield (7)

Peter Moody’s mare got a long way back first up from a spell in the G3 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) in a race dominated by the leader and eventual winner, Cosmic Endeavour. She was only warming up late off a slow tempo and her ninth (5.5 lengths) placing, reads worse than it was. She then contested the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago and settled three back on the fence. She stayed the rails as the field turned and only held her position in the run home, finishing sixth (3.6 lengths) behind Leebaz. Jumped from 6 to 8 furlongs last start and will be better for the run. Stakes performer in NZ but hasn’t quite produced that same form in Australia as yet.

5. IRONSTEIN – B Avdulla (4)

The evergreen 8yo by Zabeel will line up for his sixtieth start and his second of this campaign. He was ok late first up in a BM 97 (1400m) at Rosehill three weeks ago, warming to his work nicely over the final furlong when fifth (3.5 lengths) to Kaypers. Second up efforts from recent campaigns are not encouraging and his last win came in November 2011, twenty-five starts ago.

6. YOUTHFUL JACK – R Thompson (6)

The 8yo was sent to Tasmanian trainer Adam Trinder at the start of the year where in four starts, two of them listed races, he failed to register a place. He then returned to his former trainer, Taree’s Ross Stitt, and lined up in the Tamworth Cup (1400m). He a wide draw he settled at the tail of the field before making up plenty of ground in the run home, finishing seventh (1.9 lengths) behind Pitt Street. It was his first start in over a month at Tamworth where he was assigned a whopping 61kgs. Drops to 55.5kgs and will strip fitter again.

7. KAYPERS – C Reith (12)

Locally trained galloper who ran a close up third in this race last year to Speediness and Mouro. His form this time this time around is just as strong and includes a third (0.6 lengths) behind Mecir in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap two starts back and a last start victory in a BM 97 (1400m) at Rosehill, where he defeated Loaded. Only has a kilo more to carry in this year’s race and Reith, who won last year’s edition on Speediness, hasn’t finished further back than fourth in six rides on him. Any cut out of the track will assist and has to go in selections as a solid place chance.

8. WISTFUL – K McEvoy (2)

Darley mare that was luckless in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (tenth, 2.4 lengths) behind Mecir before not being able to handle the heavy track conditions when competing in the G2 Emancipation Stakes, and finishing second to last behind Catkins. Has met a couple of handy ones at her last two starts, Destiny’s Kiss and Leebaz, running second to both by ¾ length. That’s solid form for this race and she’s drawn to get a cheap run in transit. A touch of luck rounding the turn should see involved in the finish again.

9. LOADED – T Bell (10)

The Grant Allard trained runner returned from an eight month spell with a fast finishing second (head) to Kaypers in a BM 97 (1400m) at Randwick three weeks ago on a slow track. The 6yo, who claimed the Listed Tatt’s Mile in Brisbane as the final leg of three consecutive wins last prep, can only be fitter for having had that start and Kaypers is going well. Capable on all conditions but has won three and been placed second twice, from six starts on slow tracks.

10. SAID COM – (16)

The 5yo by O’Reilly continued to frustrate punters last start when fifth (1.6 lengths) to Tromso in a BM 95 (1350m) at Rosehill last weekend. He was afforded a lovely run in transit behind the leaders but couldn’t run them down in the straight under the 58kgs. Has won one of his past twenty three starts but during that time, has recorded ten placing several of which have been at Listed level. Whilst he drops to 54.5kgs here, it’s hard to take him with any confidence not allowing for the fact that he’ll jump from the second to widest gate.

11. CAMEO – S Clipperton (1)

Struggling for form this time in is the 4yo daughter of Shamardal. She hasn’t finished inside of the top ten runners at any of her three starts this campaign with the most recent effort resulting in a second to last in the G3 Darley Crown (1300m) a fortnight ago. Entitled to start a big price here.

12. THE GREAT SNOWMAN – T Clark (14)

Comes into this race fourth up and off a fourth placing (1 ¾ length) behind Leebaz in the G3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago. The Gai Waterhouse trained galloper as he always does took up a forward position last start but despite trying hard was no match for Leebaz and Wistful late. Drawn wide here and will have to do a bit of work early to take up a spot handy to lead but did start to hit his straps this time last campaign and recorded three wins from five starts and a nose second to Pretty Pins (Prince Cheri third). He’ll give them something to chase especially with a bit of cut out of the ground.

13. COLLAR – (5)

The 5yo made it two wins on the trot with a ¾ of a length win in the Gunnedah Cup earlier this week under 59kgs. The son of O’Reilly, who was formerly raced by Lloyd Williams and was successful at Listed level, is now under the care of Cessnock Trainer Jeremy Sylvester. Takes a big step up in class here and despite the weight drop and good draw which should see him settled handy to the speed, expect him to be well accounted for.

14. ROWIE – (11)

Returned from a break of a couple of months with a good effort – third (4 lengths), behind Flying Bay and I’m In The Money in a BM 80 (1400m) four weeks ago before lining up in BM 80 at Hawkesbury at his next and most recent start. Unfortunately for connections – and particularly jockey, he dropped the rider soon of the start. Far from the ideal preparation for this race but has some solid form from earlier the year – two wins and a second to Jacquinot Bay, that it’s best to judge him on.

15. KURTLEY – (9)

Commenced this campaign with six wins from fifteen starts but has been able to improve his strike rate in four outings since. The Dane Shadow 4yo started 11/4 favourite when fifth (1.7 lengths) to Revitalise in Class 6 at Doomben before failing to handle the heavy at Mudgee in the Gooree Cup. Needs to lift on efforts he has produced so far this prep.

16. SMART MOOCHI – K O’Hara (17)

Given a few weeks off after finishing last in the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) in March and returned last fortnight in a BM 85 (1300m) at Hawkesbury. Drew the outside in a field of ten at Hawkesbury and got back in a race that favoured those up on the speed. The Jason Coyle trained gelding finished second to last and over seven lengths from the winner Generalife. Won’t find this easy from the widest gate.

17. SHADOWOFEXCELLENCE (15)

Biggest claim to fame for this 6yo, who has won three from twenty-six starts, the most recent victory coming last week in a BM 65 (1420) at Dubbo, is that he is a half brother to the great Makybe Diva. Can’t win this off of his effort last week.

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Scone Cup 2014 odds comparison

RACE OVERVIEW

The Great Snowman comes across form his wide draw and probably sets the pace with Collar who is drawn in. Right behind them should be camped Wistful who has drawn barrier two. She is treading a proven path for Darley and the last start form reference to Leebaz is strong. Like that Destiny’s Kiss comes into this race off three weeks since his last outing. Third up, dropping in weight and Blake Shinn aboard, are all positives. Hopefully from his gate he’ll be able to settle closer than he usually does and be finishing off late. Prince Cheri looks to have come back in good style judging by two recent trails and his form last campaign was very smart. Like Wistful, he should be able to box-seat from the jump. Best value chances is Loaded for mine. He was very good first up behind Kaypers who has been in solid form. Fitter and Timothy Bell comes down from Qld to take the ride.

1. WISTFUL
2. DESTINY’S KISS
3. PRINCE CHERI
4. LOADED

News:

David Vandyke insists enough can be taken out of Prince Cheri’s unfulfilled and injury-hit autumn to rate the imported galloper among the leading chances in the $200,000 Scone Cup.

A back injury stopped Prince Cheri from turning spring potential into autumn results but Vandyke expects the ex-French horse can salvage something out of his return to racing, starting on Friday.

Vandyke had every reason to be optimistic about Prince Cheri figuring somewhere during the Sydney carnival.

And his plans seemed on track after the horse turned in an eye-catching first-run behind Boban and It’s A Dundeel in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

But they soon came undone after the Sky High Stakes.

“He had an issue, we’ve managed him through it and he’s good now,” Vandyke said.

“In the Sky High he sweated up and looked a bit agitated before the race and whether it happened in the run or before I don’t know but he seemed fine going into that race.

“But he certainly came out of it with a back complaint.”

Prince Cheri has carried a mini boom since he made a winning Australian debut at Canterbury in March last year.

The five-year-old won two of his first three spring starts with a victory in the Kingston Town Stakes earning him favouritism for the Group One Metropolitan in which he finished sixth.

“I think on his best form he will be hard to beat at Scone,” Vandyke said.

“And even on his form which shows him 3.4 (lengths) behind Boban and It’s A Dundeel, he would certainly give this a shake.”

Prince Cheri will be one of two Scone runners for Vandyke as the trainer heads further north to watch the Nick Moraitis-owned Arabian Gold have her Brisbane lead-up run to the Queensland Oaks.

He will start Husson Choice in a Scone Cup day support race.

“He’s quite a nice horse. Nick Moraitis owns him and hopefully we can get a result for Nick on Friday and Saturday,” Vandyke said.