THE Scone Race Club will host a showcase meeting at its Bunnan Road track this week.
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And, thanks to Racing NSW intervention, owners are able to return on Friday, June 26, to view their gallopers in action.
"We've worked closely with the NSW Government to allow owners back to NSW racecourses to watch their horses race, as they are the lifeblood of the industry," CEO Peter V'landys AM said.
"This announcement will be particularly welcomed in country regions where the race clubs don't necessarily have the facilities to take advantage of the previous relaxation of restrictions in respect of existed seated food and drink areas.
"Racing NSW also looks forward to the further relaxations to be implemented from July 1 that will allow up to 10,000 spectators to return to NSW racecourses."
The first race on the card starts at noon.
The track is likely to be a soft 5, with the rail out 3m from 800m to the winning post.
Race 1 @ 12.15pm WIDDEN STUD MAIDEN HCP (1100m)
The maidens kick off a strong and very competitive program. Promising Tamworth 2YO 4. WITHOUT SHAME (Sue Grills/Ms Yvette Lewis a2kg, 54.5kg ($6.00 - $6.50) hit the line hard from a mile back on debut at big odds, and can reproduce a similar run on the bigger track;
Main dangers: Former Victorian 4YO 2. Yulong Base has his first run for leading Tamworth stable off a quiet trial, and draws the inside; while watch the betting on local filly 7. Don'tforgetmonica (Monaco Consul x Irrational by Flying Spur) who has had two trials, and debuts in blinkers.
Likely tempo: Solid to good
My betting attack: WITHOUT SHAME to win
Race 2 @ 12.50pm COOLMORE COUNTRY ONLY MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
Good sprint battle of the bush at set weights, with a stack of live hopes. Improving 3YO filly 8. AQUILLA SKYE (Brett Cavanough/Ms Belinda Hodder, 57kg; $14.00 - $17.00) looks way over the odds third-up on her home track. Was easily outgunned in a hot form maiden resuming before boxed on strong in a handy maiden at Wellington, and the winner then came out and destroyed a CL1 field at this track last Friday.
Main dangers: Tamworth mare 9. Golden Missile made a sound debut at home only missing by a neck, with a gap back to third. Again draws to find a nice position just off the speed, and should be in the finish. Home track 3YO 6. Scatman is fresh and has enough ability to overcome the outside barrier. Will need some breaks early to get across, but on debut went down narrowly in a very handy form maiden at Muswellbrook. Speaking of the 'brook, 3YO 7. Toto returns for his first run in more than a year. Has had one trial, and draws to get plenty of cover just behind the speed.
Likely tempo: Good to strong
My betting attack: AQUILLA SKYE each-way and box trifecta 6, 7, 8, 9
Race 3 @ 1.25pm WELCOME BACK OWNERS MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)
Another wide open affair for the maidens, but after three runs back from a spell, capable 3YO Wyong gelding 7. RIGHT BOWER (Kim Waugh/Grant Buckley, 59kg; $9.00 - $9.50) can peak here up slightly in distance with the winkers going on. Comes through slightly superior formlines.
Main dangers: Was a little disappointed in the second-up run of Taree 3YO 3. Dunoon, although he's better when ridden well off the speed. Will need to find his best, but should relish the bigger and spacious track. Newcastle 3YO 8. Roman Candle let punters down as an easing short-priced favourite at Tamworth, although suspect he's far more effective on firmer footing. Can finish hard on this track, although the low draw may not suit his typical pattern. Tamworth 4YO 10. Treble Clef can't seem to shake the bridesmaid tag, running four straight seconds, three of them beaten by a whisker. Deserves to break through, but draws a tricky gate. Gilgandra 5YO 6. Poster Man has found the line okay in two runs back from a near year-long spell, and another one suited on the bigger track. Local filly 13. Entreat is hard fit after four runs this prep, and chased home a smart one at Dubbo last start. Well weighted after rider's 2kg claim. Include 11 Underboss, stablemate to top selection, third-up jumping from a kinder draw.
Likely tempo: Solid
My betting attack: RIGHT BOWER each-way and first four 3, 7, 8, 10/3, 7, 8, 10/3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13/3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13
Race 4 @ 2.05pm PRYDE'S EASIFEED CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
Intriguing race, and sticking with Newcastle 3YO gelding and dominant last start winner, 3. THE BOROUGH (Paul Perry/Chris O'Brien, 57.5kg; $3.60 - $3.75) at his first run on the Scone track. Got going early at Tamworth and raced away to win by more than six lengths. This is tougher, and he draws the widest barrier, but if he gets a decent speed to chase, can peel off the best final 600m in the race.
Main dangers: Progressive Tamworth 3YO 2. Manseneta is the clear threat and one to beat after sweeping home for a dominant win second-up at home in a handy maiden, and has since had a quiet trial. Will love the big stretch here, but still looks a shade under the odds. Home track mare 4. Fiery Zone looks the only other chance, getting out to a suitable trip third-up.
Likely tempo: Moderate to fair
My betting attack: THE BOROUGH to win and quinella 2 and 3
Race 5 @ 2.40pm TAB.COM.AU BM 66 HCP (1600m)
While this is a tough and open battle for the mainly older horses over the mile, lightly raced 3YO filly and trained on the track 7. DEEPWOOD VALE Paul Messara/Mitchell Bell, 57kg; $4.50 - $4.65) can blow them away third-up. Rattled home late in a CL2 before competitive again from off the speed in a Rosehill Highway, and this shapes as the right trip back at home.
Main dangers: Plenty of them headed by tough 4YO Newcastle mare 3. Mummentum who will love getting back on to a bigger and firmer track after struggling against tougher metro grade in two runs on heavy ground. Needs speed on, especially drawn to settle back on the inside. Stablemate 3YO 6. Salsa Dreaming has never raced better, overcoming a wide draw to bolt in a weaker race at Coffs before just missing in a BM 58 at Mudgee when again drawn wide. Back in trip, but drawn to get plenty of cover and is a winner here. Another one from the Lees stable, 9. Bandahara can mix his form without notice, but found the line strong in weaker company at Tamworth fourth-up. Up in class, but down in weight and extra ground is a plus. Wyong 4YO 11. Thiswilldous is another big finisher who can be hard to catch, but has been in and around the money all prep, and sneaks down in the weights for this tougher test.
Likely tempo: Solid
My betting attack: DEEPWOOD VALE to win
Race 6 @ 3.20pm CLASS 3 HCP (1400m)
Strong race for this class, with plenty of potential on show. Local 4YO gelding 2. DUBAI TYCOON (Brett Cavanough/Chad Lever, 58.5kg; $5.50 - $6.50) did his best work late resuming in a Highway at Randwick, and this looks a nice second-up assignment from a good trailing draw. Trainer has rung the gear changes, with winkers replacing blinkers, so watch the market closely.
Main dangers: Talented Tamworth 4YO 5. Shamusu Sho has a tonne of ability, but doesn't always produce, and has had the blinkers removed since disappointing at home. Much better suited, though, over more ground on the bigger track, and down significantly in weight. Another Tamworth 4YO 6. Blazing Tycoon has been kept ticking over at the trials since winning two straight at home up to this grade, but draws a tricky gate, and senior country rider has hopped off. Watch for local 4YO 4. Magic Charlee finishing on late at a big price over more ground. Should have nearly won second-up here except for laying in badly for most of the straight. Has enough ability settling back off a good speed. Progressive Wyong filly 10. Light Of Uluru burst between runners late here to claim a BM 58 second-up, and while this is tougher, she draws to get similar cover and is a talented one on the rise. Also on the up is ultra-consistent Tamworth 3YO 11. Danebrook who put a maiden field to the sword at Dubbo, and undoubtedly good enough in this tougher grade dropping sharply in weight, and drawn to get to the outside.
Likely tempo: Moderate to good
My betting attack: DUBAI TYCOON to win; SHAMUSU SHO each-way and trifecta 2, 5, 6/2, 5, 6, 10, 11/2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
Race 7 @ 3.55pm ARROWFIELD STUD BM 58 HCP (1000m)
Back to the sprint trip, and there'll be no coming up for air here. Very keen at the value about lightly raced 4YO Gosford gelding 12. GEOTIME (Greg McFarlane/Ben Looker, 56.5kg; $10.00 - $12.00) fourth-up. Has finished hard in his last couple, and even better suited getting on this bigger track. Will settle back in the pack, and watch for him thundering home.
Main dangers: Tamworth filly and former Victorian 1. The First Of May looks hard to beat resuming off a quiet trial for a new stable, and with a 3kg claim. Draws to get a cosy run, and this isn't strong. Any number could fill the third hole headed by progressive 3YO 5. Dixie Can who is drawn wide, but her first-up all-the-way win at home was very strong, albeit on heavy ground. Another one resuming, local 4YO 10. Scherzare returns off a string of mixed runs in deeper company, and has an experienced rider to off-set a tricky draw.
Likely tempo: Strong
How to play it: GEOTIME each-way and quinella 1 and 12
Race 8 @ 4.35pm DARLEY OPEN HCP (1100m)
We finish with a terrific open class dash, and typically there's a stack of chances. Going wide in the market again with local 6YO gelding 9. TIM'S PRINCIPAL (Jeremy Gask/Andrew Gibbons, 57kg; $9.50 - $10.00) who can maintain a strong second-up record off a long break back at home. Flashed home late resuming in the Lightning at Tamworth, and this time last year he was consistently close-up in deeper metro races over longer trips.
Main dangers: Smart Tamworth 4YO gelding 1. Burning Crown is back in distance off a dominant heavy track trial win since dropping out in tougher grade at Randwick when forced to cart the field up to the tearaway leader who couldn't be run down. Will naturally be there from a long way from the good draw. Under-rated Dubbo 6YO 7. Good Time Charlie has won two straight this prep from off the speed. Drawn out, but gets ideal ground, and can finish hard again on a track he'll relish. Moree 5YO 4. Beacon steps up sharply from an easy first-up Picnic Trophy kill, and normally holds his second-up form. Was competitive in good metro grade last spring, and blinkers have been removed. Cessnock 6YO 6. Drachenfels has finally found form again motoring home from well back in his last couple, and again draws to get plenty of cover behind a solid speed.
Likely tempo: Good to strong
My betting attack: TIM'S PRINCIPAL each-way and trifecta 1, 7, 9/1, 4, 6, 7, 9/1, 4, 6, 7, 9
MY BEST BETS
Race 5 - 7. DEEPWOOD VALE
Race 6 - 2. DUBAI TYCOON
MY BEST VALUE
Race 3 - 7. RIGHT BOWER
Race 7 - 12. GEOTIME
Race 8 - 9. TIM'S PRINCIPAL
TRAINERS TO FOLLOW
Brett Cavanough
Kris Lees
JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW
Andrew Gibbons
Grant Buckley