The seven-year-old gelding and Central Coast-based jockey pair up at the Upper Hunter track on Friday, chasing the $180,000 listed prize once more.

Duca Valentinois is back for a third straight crack at the mile race, having claimed the title in 2017.

Clark first saluted the year before aboard Pajaro before beating Duca Valentinois home with Sedanzer in the same feature 12 months ago.

James Cummings, Godolphin's trainer of the former Irish galloper, remains confident second up after resuming Duca Valentinois and Clark combined for fifth in the Randwick 100 Handicap (1400 metres) on April 20.

"He's training beautifully ahead of this race and even though he's only second up going to the mile, he's been great around the stable," Cummings told the Godolphin website this week.

"I'm happy that he's ready to run a race at this trip so soon in his preparation. There's a bit to like about him, the way he ran fresh-up and what he's done since."

Novocastrian trainers Kris Lees and Paul Perry, fresh from honours at the Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Fame on Tuesday, have Scone Cup runners Take It Intern and San Francisco respectively.

Five-year-old gelding Take It Intern was the $3.10 fixed odds favourite on TAB on Thursday afternoon.

Perry described four-year-old gelding San Francisco, which won the Quirindi Cup (1600m) on February 15, as a "roughie".

"He's up against some better horses," Perry said.

"It's a different grade [Scone to Quirindi], streets between them."

Thornton-based jockey Andrew Gibbons, equal second on the NSW premiership with 110 winners for 2018-2019, will ride Roman Son.

Hunter-based syndicate Australian Bloodstock contest the Scone Cup with Italian gelding Goldstream.

Elsewhere on the eight-race card and Perry has Clark on board New York Nick in the $100,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100m) after buying the gelding at last year's sales.

"He's only had one run and was fourth at Newcastle so he's some hope," Perry said.

In the same event Scone trainer Rodney Northam has joint top weight Split, Tango Stepz and Shesafan, fellow Upper Hunter preparer Brett Cavanough runs two-start winner Longbottom and Cosmic Haze while Newcastle's Jay Hopkins sees Lime and Sugar jump from the inside lane.

Racing continues at Scone on Saturday with the group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m), the $300,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m) and the listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m).

SCONE CUP: Sedanzer (2018); Duca Valentinois (2017); Pajaro (2016); Tales Of Grimm (2015); Cameo (2014); Speediness (2013); Raspberries (2012); Dysphonia (2011); Keepin' The Dream (2010).