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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the feature meeting at Scone on Saturday May 17 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
SCONE May 17
Best Bets
RACE 5 - (14) GOOD BANTER: Has rarely been in a race to suit since she won the G2 Adrian Knox over 2000m last year when she beat the subsequent Oaks winner Autumn Angel but signs are good after her resuming fourth over 1600m at Randwick when she posted the fastest closing sectionals. Has to be fitter, all her best form is on affected ground and this track and distance looks the perfect progression for her second up.
RACE 6 - (7) DOLLAR MAGIC: Locally-trained mare ticks all the boxes across the board with her excellent course and distance record and proven first-up talent on affected ground. She beat subsequent Group winner Jedibeel in this same race last year with more weight and with the advantage of a 3kg claim is set to repeat after two strong trials that have her ready to win for the third time on her home track. Her early price is too generous.
RACE 8 - (6) PISANELLO: Quality mare won a C1 over this course and distance (Soft 6) at last year's meeting. She's since progressed to Group company and it's obvious Godolphin have taken aim at this black type sprint after her swooping last start Canterbury win under 59.5kg a month ago in what has proven to be an excellent form race (last week's Gosford feature winner Barber finished third). She's maintained her fitness with an impressive trial win and has the right draw to exploit the expected race conditions.
Selections
RACE 1: (8) HIGHBORN HARRY; (5) Jumeirah Beach; (1) Northern Eyes; (9) Star Impact
RACE 2: (15) IMAGE OF THE SUN; (10) Due Calzini; (6) Feathertop; (5) Fiorsum Fred
RACE 3: (2) AKAYSHA; (3) Miss Freedom; (15) Sylph; (6) Stardom
RACE 4: (6) INVADER ZIM; (5) Oh Diamond Lil; (3) Getafix; (1) Blazing Harry
RACE 5: (14) GOOD BANTER; (5) Quantum Cat; (19) Gentileschi; (2) Miracle Spin
RACE 6: (7) DOLLAR MAGIC; (4) Miss Icelandic; (3) Tanglewood; (15) Left Field
RACE 7: (7) THAMES; (6) Soft Love; (10) Wave Breaker; (5) Photograph
RACE 8: (6) PISANELLO; (9) Renosu; (3) Compelling Truth; (7) Grand Impact
RACE 9: (9) WRITTEN IN CODE; (15) Zeitung; (13) Dark Glitter; (12) Countyourblessings
RACE 10: (16) GALLANT STAR; (15) Gravina; (11) Whinchat; (8) Phearson
Why They Can Win….
RACE 1 - (8) HIGHBORN HARRY: Prepped for this in tougher grade. Conditions will suit.
RACE 2 - (15) IMAGE OF THE SUN: Second up placing came off a seven weeks break. Distance suits on his home track.
RACE 3 - (2) AKAYSHA: Has the right form. Beat subsequent G3 winner Beadman on debut.
RACE 4 - (6) INVADER ZIM: Good work late when resuming in higher class. Big track suits with blinkers added.
RACE 7 - (7) THAMES: Rates well off her strong Victorian form. Track suits her run on style.
RACE 9 - (9) WRITTEN IN CODE: Back to her own sex after solid Hawkesbury Guineas fourth. Track and distance suits with weight relief.
RACE 10 - (16) GALLANT STAR: Sits on pace with drop to the minimum weight. Should get the favours.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 17
SCONE SATURDAY: Rainbow Glow (R3); Wollzeile (R3); Vingt Neuf Noir (R3); Oh Diamond Lil (R4); Tanglewood (R6/R8); Gumdrops (R6); Dollar Magic (R6); Left Field (R6); Soft Love (R7); Thames (R7); Gerringong (R7); Alliri (R7); Contemporary (R8); Grand Impact (R8); Pisanello (R8); Caballus (R8); The Novelist (R8); Vibrant Sun (R9); Whinchat (R10)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Beskar (R5); Gallo Nero (R5); United States (R5); Farnicle (R5); King Of Thunder (R9); Real Class (R9)
KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Miles Of Glory (R3)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Tasoraay; I Am Brave; Carnegie Hill; Queen's Rhapsody; Lulumon; Agarwood; First Mission; Harlex; Yes Siree; Maori Chief; Caltsar; Mignonette; Roman Forum; Hawker Hall; Ellipsis; Silver Wedding; Secure; Placid Pearl; Need Some Luck; Famous One; Night Sky; Tiberius; Aerodrome; Rose Of Dubai; Vinrock; Evaporate
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL May 9: The 2YO heats should be the source of some worthy late season winners. Wootton Bassett colt GALLO NERO was one of the summer's classier youngsters with a Randwick win before his third in the MM Classic at the Gold Coast. Returned in top order with a strong win in his 900m heat (54.48; 34.59), surging between runners at the 100m to run past the leaders with style. BESKAR is another youngster with strong exposed form. His late work to finish fourth also impressed.
NEWCASTLE May 7: Talented sprinter TANGLEWOOD could be a banker bet at the Scone carnival. Improved off his first-up placing in a Wyong trial on April 24 to dominate the fastest 1000m heat (59.33l 33.69). Loved the way he tucked in behind the leaders before easing clear at the 400m and cruising away to win by almost four lengths.
RANDWICK May 5: A strong session with some excellent trials despite the heavy conditions. Unbeaten Farnan youngster FARNICLE looks set for the Brisbane carnival after winning his first trial since his debut win six weeks ago. Had no trouble picking up the leaders and running strongly to the line with plenty in reserve in his 1050m heat (65.49; 35.98). GRAND IMPACT has won five of his 12 starts and will surely be adding to that record after a strong win in his 740m heat (44.63; 34.06) in his first trial since his Wyong/Rosehill double in December/January. Tracked widest in a line of leaders and had no trouble gaining the upper hand over the last 100m under a soft ride. SCHWARZ had his second trial win as he prepares for his final career start in the Doomben Ten Thousand before he goes to stud. Dominated the fastest 1050m heat (64.36; 35.28) working well within himself to win hard held.
WARWICK FARM April 29: Astute trainer David Pfieffer won four heats including the two open trials over 1200m with his classy pair WHINCHAT and OH DIAMOND LIL. WHINCHAT hasn't raced for almost 14 months but he's ready to make up for his absence after a dominant win in his heat (73.60; 35.63) to back up a similar trial win when he resumed in a Rosehill heat on April 11. He's still only a 5YO with six wins from 12 starts and I suspect his best is still ahead of him. Likewise OH DIAMOND LIL has won two trials since she won at Randwick in February for her third win in eight starts. She looked in great form cruising away to win her 1200m heat by more than six lengths in faster time (73.37; 36.13) that sets her up to continue her rapid rise through the classes.
RANDWICK April 24: Heat winners gearing up for good campaigns included LEFT FIELD and the 2YO RAINBOW GLOW.
WARWICK FARM April 17: Some well-known performers are in good shape for their coming campaigns that will lead to Brisbane. CABALLUS didn't find his form in the spring but made a strong return in his first trial since November to finish second in a classy open heat over 819m won by Tamerlane (48.75; 33.75). Railed strongly from last at the 500m and was easily the most impressive working through the line under no pressure. Classy sprinter SCHWARZ had no trouble leading from start to finish for a soft tick over trial win in his 822m heat (48.79; 33.75). The other open heat over 1200m was won in good style by the smart mare OH DIAMOND LIL (72.57; 35.16).
NEWCASTLE April 16: A couple of nice 2YO prospects appeared in the 780m heats. Youngsters worth noting included WOLLZEILE.
RANDWICK April 14: Good work by GERRINGONG in his 740m heat to finish second.
ROSEHILL April 11: The return of WHINCHAT after a long break will be eagerly anticipated after a classy trial win. He's won six of his 12 starts and it would certainly be more if setbacks had not kept him off the scene since he last raced 12 months ago. This was his second trial and left no doubt he is in rude health leading his 1030m heat under restraint before opening up a clear margin under no pressure from Jay Ford. Full of running through the line in the fastest of the six heats over the distance (63.18; 34.96).
CANTERBURY January 9: In the fastest of the two 2YO heats over 908m (56.38; 35.61) MILES OF GLORY, a strong filly by I Am Invincible, was having her first trial and is sure to take benefit from the experience.
BLACKBOOK REPORT
BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 14-15
CRANBOURNE FRIDAY: Jewel Bay (R5)
DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Beskar (R5); Encoder (R6); Appin Girl (R7); Sunshine In Paris (R8); Beau Dazzler (R9)
SCONE SATURDAY: Getafix (R4); Allapercanto (R4); Miracle Spin (R5); I Am Unstoppable (R8); Contemporary (R8); Captain Amelia (R9)
FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Athabascan (R7); Night Endeavour (R7); Holymanz (R8); Magarten (R9)
BELMONT PARK SATURDAY: First Beach (R6)
BLACKBOOKERS
(Selected May 10 - Follow Next 3 Starts)
ADIELLA; HURSTVILLE ZAGREB; MISS JENNIFER; OH TOO GOOD; RUAKAKA RAIDER; SARAPO; SILVER WEDDING
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Mary Eliza; On Display; Gentileschi; Photograph; Charm Stone; Regal Azmon; Jimmysstar; Movin Out; Briasa; Statuario; Evaporate; Heart Of Glass; Just Folk; Nepotism; Imposant; Gringotts; Mare Of Mt Buller; Asgarda; Buffalo; Benagil; Skyhook; Tom Kitten; Joliestar
