TWO talented four-year-olds having their first start in a combined near 20 months are set for an absorbing arm-wrestle at Tuesday's feature meeting at the Scone Race Club.
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One-time highly promising galloper Crystal Falls, now in the stable of Scone horseman John Ramsey, hasn't started since August 2019 - or officially trialled since January.
But, the mare, who chased home the best two-year-olds in the land including Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi, and multiple Group 1 winners Microphone and Castelvecchio, is reportedly working well ahead of her long-awaited return in a Maiden Handicap over 1000m.
The horse to beat, though, is Rubic Honour having his first run since mid-December as a gelding for new Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan.
And, just like his main rival, there's been no recent public trial, but the son of Rubick is reportedly ready to rock.
Meanwhile, form Scone trainer Scott Singleton didn't take long to switch from the joy of a dominant Highway win with his five-year-old Niccirose ahead of another potential stable star lining up at home.
Talented four-year-old Remlaps Gem returns in a kiss-and-make-up bid with punters after flopping as the hottest of favourites here last start, only two weeks after a super impressive debut win when he thrashed subsequent Grafton carnival winner Toto.
After that shock loss, regular rider Billy Cray reported the gelding had seemingly suffered a respiratory problem, which was confirmed in a post-race scope.
And, after the necessary health checks, Singleton quickly sent him back to the trials, and he duly responded with a terrific win by more than four lengths.
Even more significant is the severe "wardrobe" change ahead of Tuesday's BM 58 Hcp over the flying 900m.
For the first time on go a bit lifter, nasal strip and tongue control bit, while off for the first time are the winkers and tongue tie.
But, one thing's for sure, even with all those gear changes this won't be a doddle for Remlaps Gem.
Smart Muswellbrook three-year-old Pee Dee resumes, and rival home track six-year-old Gold Codes has only been beaten a half-length in his last two.
Race 1 @ 1.10pm TURANGGA FARM CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1600m)
WE kick off a strong and potentially good form card, with a testing battle over the mile at set weights. This shapes up well for talented 4YO backmarker 4. HOLY SUNDAY (John Sargent/Sam Clipperton, 59kg; $3.25 - $3.50). Resumed with a typical nice closing effort here in a deeper CL1, and the second horse from that race careered away to win Saturday's Highway at Randwick by a long way. Will be aimed at some of the better races over 2000m and beyond in spring.
Main dangers: Improving Coffs Harbour 4YO 1. Baileys has dodged the wet tracks after a strong closing return in the Grafton Guineas a month ago, although weighted to his best. Muswellbrook 6YO 5. Nine Not Out pulled up with a poor recovery after flopping at Taree so expect sharp improvement, especially back on firmer footing.
Likely tempo: Moderate to solid
My betting attack: HOLY SUNDAY to win
Race 2 @ 1.5pm CONGRATULATIONS AARON BULLOCK, SCONES PREMIERSHIP LEADING JOCKEY MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
PROMISING 3YO Newcastle filly 14. VIRTUOUS MISS (Kris Lees/Andrew Gibbons, 55kg; $1.65 - $1.95) can go one better over more ground at her second start. Narrowly went under on debut here to one who was heavily backed, and there was a big gap back to third. Had previously trialled strong, and drawn to park right behind a reasonable speed. The Headwater stock is going great guns as well!
Main dangers: Progressive mare 6. Confinement improved sharply hitting the line third-up at Tamworth, and back on home track over a little further ground fits the bill; while rival local filly 13. Gold Lunar was strong to the line first-up at Wellington, and drawn to get plenty of cover, with top country jockey staying on.
Likely tempo: Solid
My betting attack: VIRTUOUS MISS to win and trifecta: 14/6, 13/6, 13
Race 3 @2.25pm YARRAMAN PARK MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
INTRIGUING and open sprint, with plenty of chances, although I expect the debutants to dominate. One of those 3YO Randwick gelding 7. NOT ANOTHER REIBY (Denman x Reiby Regina by Commands for John Sargent/Sam Clipperton, 55.5kg; $3.60 - $3.75) looks a smart one in the making cruising home in a trial on the synthetic at home, and has clear tactical change-up speed.
Main dangers: Home track 5YO gelding 2. Dante Alexander has been finding the line well all prep without winning, although up in weight and back in trip are queries for one who naturally settles back in the field. Inverell 5YO stallion 1. Belle Reve (I Am Invincible x Streetcar Stella by Blevic) is over the odds on debut from a nice draw off a strong trial win at Grafton when he was slow to begin. Watch the betting on well-bred debutant local mare 5. It's Me (Shamus Award x It's You by Celtic Swing) who steps out for a strong stable off a quiet trial.
Likely tempo: Good to strong
My betting attack: NOT ANOTHER REIBY to win and trifecta: 1, 2, 7/1, 2, 5, 7/1, 2, 5, 7
Race 4 @ 3.05pm CONGRATULATIONS KRIS LEES, SCONE PREMIERSHIPS LEADING TRAINER MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
POTENTIALLY, a very good sprint. Keen on promising and lightly raced Tamworth 4YO 3. RUBIC HONOUR (Cody Morgan/Mitchell Bell, 58kg; $3.00 - $3.15) who is having his first run in nearly eight months as a gelding for the new stable. Form rider steers from a handy draw, and he was good enough to mix it with high class sprinters like Splintex and Spaceboy at only his second start in late autumn of last year.
Main dangers: The market will have a pivotal say on talented 4YO local mare 1. Crystal Falls having her first run in nearly 12 months for the new John Ramsey stable with winkers on for the first time. Hasn't publicly trialled of late, but been in work for a while, and chased home the best 2YO's in the land in the autumn of 2019. By top US sire, and dam was a Group 3 winner in Melbourne. Rival local 4YO mare 5. Black Run resumes after a tidy front-running debut at Port Macquarie, but drawn wide.
Likely tempo: Good
My betting attack: RUBIC HONOUR to win and quinella: 1 and 3
Race 5 @ 3.40pm GET YOUR KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS BM 58 HCP (900m)
THE handlebars will be right down here from the moment the starter lets them rip over the short course. Have to be forgiving of promising local 4YO gelding 2. REMLAPS GEM (Scott Singleton/Billy Cray, 60.5kg; $2.85 - $3.00) after falling in a heap here at his second start as the hottest of favourites. Debut win, though, over a subsequent Grafton carnival winner was super impressive, and looked in great order cruising home in a recent trial win. Drawn wide, but has superior early speed, and trainer has responded to the shock loss by making more gear changes than Miley Cyrus at a rage party.
Main dangers: Much will depend on the top selection being switched on, but include Wyong and former Waterhouse-Bott trained 5YO gelding, and impressive second start winner, 3. Suitor; smart Muswellbrook 3YO 5. Pee Dee who resumes with no official trial, but won his first two starts on this track in summer; and home track 6YO gelding 1. Gold Codes who is hard fit and stuck on well in a good CL2 at Newcastle.
Likely tempo: Strong
My betting attack: REMLAPS GEM to win
Race 6 @ 4.20pm MARKEY SADDLERY SCONE PREMIERSHIPS CLASS 2 HCP (1300m)
OPEN and tactical battle, with plenty of ability on show. Consistent 4YO Newcastle mare 10. DREAM SONG (Kris Lees/Andrew Gibbons, 55kg; $3.60 - $3.85) looms as the one to beat fourth-up and down significantly in weight. Charged home to just miss in a CL1 at Muswellbrook before working home well in a BM 58 at Taree when heavily backed. More depth here, but she's at her absolute peak and drawn to get an ideal trail around midfield.
Main dangers: Progressive 4YO Wyong mare 2. Light Of Uluru should have nearly won at this track last start when forced back to the inferior inside over the final furlong, and trainer has kept her away from the wetter tracks. Muswellbrook 3YO 9. A Scorched Land has powered home to win two of his last three, although the inside draw late in the day may not be right up his alley. A little forgiving of local 4YO gelding 1. The Snooperstar who dropped out in a superior Highway at Rosehill. That came after two impressive and tough wins at home in the previous three, and may have flattened him a bit for the trip to Sydney. Has a tough task from the wide gate, but back on firmer footing is a big plus. Rival local 4YO 3. Rich And Shameless stuck on well in a good quality BM 66 here, and trainer has changed up the gear, but has to overcome an awkward draw.
Likely tempo: Solid
My betting attack: DREAM SONG to win and trifecta: 2, 9, 10/1, 2, 3, 9, 10/1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Race 7 @ 4.55pm ARROWFIELD STUD BM 58 HCP (1100m)
MOST open race of the day rounds out the meeting. Improving home track 6YO mare 12. ROSE OF SAVANNAH (Stephen Jones/Ashley Morgan, 57.5kg; $5.50 - $6.00) capped some strong and consistent form by sweeping home to win a deep CL1 at Tamworth. This is no harder, and again draws to get an ideal trail around midfield.
Main dangers: Improving 5YO Newcastle mare 1. Martinique can go close third-up from a useful draw, and sharp rise in weight significantly off-set by the young rider's 4kg claim. Wyong 5YO 10. Heredero hasn't won for a while, but his first-up run in similar company was solid, and has never finished worse than second in three second-up runs. Improving Newcastle mare 11. Lilly Pilly defied a betting drift to lead all the way landing her maiden third-up at Taree, and should have enough early speed to get over from the wide draw.
Likely tempo: Good
My betting attack: ROSE OF SAVANNAH to win and quinella: 1 and 12
MY BEST BETS
Race 1: 4. HOLY SUNDAY** Expect: $3.25 - $3.40; My Early Rating: $2.25
Race 4: 3. RUBIC HONOUR** Expect: $3.00 - $3.15; My Early Rating: $2.18
Race 5: 2. REMLAPS GEM** Expect: $2.85 - $3.00; My Early Rating: $2.08
MY BEST VALUE
Race 3: 7. NOT ANOTHER REIBY* Expect: $3.60 - $3.75; My Early Rating: $2.35
Race 7: 12. ROSE OF SAVANNAH** Expect: $5.50 - $6.00; My Early Rating: $3.10
MY BEST EXOTICS
Race 4: QUINELLA 1 & 3
Race 6: TRI 2, 9, 10/1, 2, 3, 9, 10/1, 2, 3, 9, 10
TRAINERS TO FOLLOW
Kris Lees
John Sargent
Brett Cavanough
Scott Singleton
JOCKEYS TO FOLLOW
Andrew Gibbons
Sam Clipperton