THE Scone Race Club's reputation for boasting an outstanding track will come to the fore for the second time in a week.
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After hosting a Tamworth meeting at the Bunnan Road circuit on Tuesday, the organisation will stage another one, this time on behalf of Gunnedah, on Friday, February 14.
"They've had to move it due to the state of their track," Scone Race Club CEO Heath Courtney said.
"So, it's a big coup for us, and the hard-working staff here, considering we only raced a couple of days ago.
"We're clearly ticking all the boxes."
The track is likely to be a soft 6.
With free general entry on offer, and full TAB and bar facilities available, there's no reason not to attend.
The first race starts at 1.50pm.
Race 1 @ 1.50pm 4YO & UP MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
Wide open sprint for the maidens to start. Expecting a big run fresh from 4YO Tamworth mare 12. KYUSHU (Melanie O'Gorman/Billy Cray) who hasn't started for more than eight months, but has trialled nicely in open company, and wears the blinkers again for a trainer who knows how to get them ready.
Main dangers: If 5YO Gulgong gelding 3. ONE MORE POET can get across from a wide draw, he'll be right there at the finish. Has had two runs back, and took on stronger last spring. Home track 5YO gelding 2. GOLD CODES can go close after improving lengths here last start in a handy maiden. Muswellbrook 4YO gelding 4. SHAMUS STAR resumes without an official trial, and may find this too short, but draws well, and was close-up in some stronger maidens last year. Muswellbrook 4YO mare 7. BUSH RAMBLER goes fast, and hung on for a long way here last start. Still trying to break through at 15th start, and as always, the last little bit is the worry. Gosford 4YO mare 14. STELLA VELOCE resumes for a second prep without a public trial, but wasn't beaten far on debut at Pt Macquarie after leading last autumn.
Tempo: Good to strong
My betting attack: KYUSHU to win & first four: 2, 3, 12/2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 14/2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 14/2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 14
Race 2 @ 2.25pm CLASS 3 HCP (1000m)
Up significantly in grade now over the same trip. Same combination with 5YO Tamworth gelding 1. THE LAUNCHER (Melanie O'Gorman/Billy Cray) who will find this easier than a Class 4 at Gosford and Highway at Randwick where he was only even to the line. Previously won two straight up to this grade, and has been freshened-up, with the winkers coming off.
Main dangers: Local 3YO filly 2. EMPEROR'S STAR returns off a four month break without an official trial, but normally comes to hand quickly for leading stable. Improving 5YO Tamworth gelding 6. KADARCHI is ready for he rise in grade after hitting the line hard in a Class 1 at Armidale last start. Down in weight and top country hoop gets on. Gunnedah 5YO gelding 4. BIG SURPRISE was unwanted in betting resuming in a BM 58 at Tamworth, but finished off okay behind a smart one. Drops to his lightest weight in a long time, and already a second-up winner.
Tempo: Good to strong
My betting attack: THE LAUNCHER to win and quinella 1 and 2
Race 3 @ 3.05pm BM 58 HCP (2200m)
Thin and tricky battle for the stayers. Dubbo 5YO gelding 3. DAD'S BOY (Kody Nestor/Jake Pracey-Holmes) mixes his form, but generally at his best around this trip. Will find this easier than last two when easily over-run in the Cowra Cupo before swamped again in a BM 66 at home run in record time.
Main dangers: Former QLD 6YO gelding 1. MEATBALL is having his first start for new Moree stable only two weeks after winning a lower grade race over 1500m at Rockhamtpon. Has been consistent all prep, but sharp rise in trip under 61kg looks a big ask. Local 4YO gelding 10. MODERN FAMILY also steps up sharply in distance, but racing like that will suit. Draws to get a soft run on the limit weight, and senior rider is back on. Cessnock 7YO gelding 8. TIME STALKER has found the line well in his last two this grade, and extra distance suits.
Tempo: Moderate
My betting attack: Box trifecta 1, 3, 8, 10
Race 4 @ 3.40pm C, G & E MAIDEN HCP (1300m)
Plenty of chances in this one too, headed by 3YO Tamworth gelding 4. ANOTHER ARLI (Melissa Dennett/Clayton Gallagher a0) who can break through from a good draw at only third run after taken to the front and hanging on well at home last start. Trainer has applied winkers and a tongue tie.
Main dangers: Expect big improvement at third start from 3YO Scone gelding 6. VALAR DOHAERIS who draws the inside, and will find this much easier than previous two. Hard to believe 3YO Muswellbrook gelding 9. MILO'S CHARM hasn't run a place from nine starts. Hasn't been far away in two deeper races at this track, but sharp rise in distance is a query.
Tempo: Moderate to good
My betting attack: ANOTHER ARLI to win
Race 5 @ 4.20pm F & M MAIDEN HCP (1300m)
Now the girls' turn over the same distance, and some real battlers here. After three runs back, improving 5YO Scone mare 4. LILY'S GOLD (Cameron Crockett/Anthony Cavallo) can break through up in trip. Has been well in the market in stronger maidens all prep, and can peak here ridden a little further back.
Main dangers: Tamworth 4YO mare 8. FANTASTIC FILLE had been finding the line okay before outclassed this track last start behind smart Mbappe who has won again since. Draws to get a nice run just off the speed, and blinkers go on. Don't dismiss 3YO Armidale filly 5. GERWIG who hasn't passed a horse in two ordinary runs back from a long break, but this is a big drop in quality, and the blinkers have gone on.
Tempo: Moderate to good
My betting attack: LILY'S GOLD to win
Race 6 @ 4.55pm F & M BM 58 HCP (1300m)
Decent depth in this one. Talented 4YO Dubbo mare 1. DUSKY DAMSEL (Clint Lundholm/Greg Ryan) jumps quickly in trip after steaming home late behind a good sprinter first-up at home, but this is her best distance, and despite weighted to het best under 61kg will appreciate the big open stretch at Scone.
Main dangers: Tamworth 4YO mare 5. APACHE BELLE has been very inconsistent this prep, but still well in this from a good draw. Beaten a long way at big odds here last start, but the winner ran a record in a high rating Class 3, and this is significantly easier. Rival Tamworth mare 2. POMME LA BELLE has ability, and a good record on this track. Put in an uncharacteristic bad one last start and has to carry 60kg here, but drops in grade.
Tempo: Moderate to good
My betting attack: DUSKY DAMSEL to win
Race 7 @ 5.35pm C, G & E BM 58 HCP (1300m)
The boys get to wrap it up over the distance, and it's tough and open to finish. Under-rated 6YO Muswellbrook gelding 6. MANNO (Luke Thomas/Greg Ryan) gets a golden chance to win a second race down in class fourth-up. Was beaten far by Hercules Mo in record time this track three runs back, and last start stuck on bravely from the front behind the rising star Free Rider. Top country hoop gets back on.
Main dangers: Rival Muswellbrook gelding 10. WHONICKED DE LOLLY has got home well all four runs this prep, and desperately looking for the extra distance. Will go back from a wide draw, but will appreciate the long sweeping run home here. Gulgong 5YO gelding 2. MOROTAI can go close second-up dropping well back in class behind Hellenism's impressive Highway win at Randwick nearly three weeks back. Moree 7Yo gelding 1. CAPTAIN EYCHE defied his poor winning strike rate storming home to win a handy Class 2 at Tamworth last start, but up sharply in weight and drawn off the track.
Tempo: Fair to good
My betting attack: MANNO and WHONICKED DE LOLLY both to win
My best bets
R1 12. KYUSHU
R4 4. ANOTHER ARLI
R5 4. LILY'S GOLD
My best value
R7 10. WHONICKED DE LOLLY
Jockeys to follow: BILLY CRAY; GREG RYAN
Trainers to follow: MELANIE O'GORMAN