Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival is an outstanding day’s racing and will feature five races contested under black type conditions.
Artistry is set to take her place in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart
Some of the season’s best horses will be in action at Scone on Saturday afternoon, but we have analysed every runner in each race, in order to help you find a winner on Day 2 of the 2017 Scone Cup Carnival.
The action is set to get underway with the running of the Kia Ora Stud BM78 (2200m) at 12:05pm and will conclude after the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at 4:30pm.
Race 1 (12:05pm) Kia Ora Stud BM78 (2200m)
A capacity field of sixteen will contest Race 1 at Scone on Saturday and there is a case to be made for several runners confirmed to start. Godolphin runner Interlocuter (barrier 4) has returned to racing in outstanding condition this time and is undoubtedly the horse to beat. Having finished second in the Mercedes Benz Newcastle BM67 (1600m) on March 29th, the son of Medaglia D’oro returned from a freshen-up for a dominant and near-eight length victory in the HMA Geotechnical Handicap (2100m) on April 27th and should receive a dream run from his inside draw. Main dangers include Great Glen (barrier 9) and Richard Of Yorke (barrier 20).
Tip: No. 6 Interlocuter ($2.90)
Race 2 (12:40pm) Star Turn @ Vinery BM78 (1100m)
A strong and open field has also been confirmed for Race 2 at Scone on Saturday and more than half of the field would not look out of place in the winner’s circle. Sangiovese (barrier 11) is a proven first-up performer and is a real threat if she can find a good position from a central draw. Godolphin is set to be offered another good chance of an early win on Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival in the form of Ozark, who could very well receive the run of the race from barrier 5 and with only 55.5kgs in tow. Upscale (barrier 2), First Hand (barrier 9) and Land Office (barrier 3) are all more than capable under the conditions of this race.
Tip: No. 5 Ozark – Each Way ($11/$4)
Race 3 (1:15pm) Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m)
The first black type race on Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival will be contested when twelve two-year-olds step out for the Listed Woodlands Stakes. Once again, Godolphin is offered an excellent opportunity in the race via favourite Almazora (barrier 4), while stable mate Epidemic (barrier 7) will return from a spell and has trialled well. James Cummings has an opinion of Exceeds and the well-tried two-year-old is a winning chance at odds, if he can overcome the wide and somewhat awkward barrier 10. Leaven Of Malice (barrier 5) undoubtedly faces a big step up in class, but was a smart winner on debut and is drawn for a peach run.
Tip: No. 4 Almanzora ($2.50)
Race 4 (1:50pm) Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m)
Sixteen three-year-old fillies and emergencies have been confirmed for the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes, including the resuming Eckstein (barrier 14). The filly has been charged with overcoming topweight (60kgs), but she was a standout for trainer Kurt Goldman in spring and summer; posting four-consecutive wins including the Listed Mode Plate (1200m), before ending her campaign third in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m). Conchita (barrier 2) ran a smart second at her last start and will enjoy a step up in distance, while Snitty Kitty (barrier 19) is seeking to build on an impressive record of two wins and a second through three starts this time in. Smart Amelia (barrier 7) is drawn well, weighted for success and arguably over the odds at her current quote.
Tip: No. 6 Smart Amelia – Each Way ($10/$3.80)
Race 5 (2:30pm) Listed Scone Guineas (1400m)
The Scone Guineas boasts an impressive $400,000 prize pool; the biggest on Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival and the race has subsequently attracted an exciting field of three-year-olds. Prized Icon (barrier 7) has received a freshen-up since his last-start seventh in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and flies fresh, while Mr Sneaky (barrier 7) is seeking a third-consecutive race win and should prove extremely tough to beat from an ideal draw. Barbass (barrier 3) has managed several impressive performances throughout his career and is sure to carry benefit into the Scone Guineas after a credible first-up fourth in the TAB Highway Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on April 22nd. Calanda (barrier 12) has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle, but may need to do too much early from an awkward barrier.
Tip: No. 11 Spright – Each Way ($8/$2.75)
Race 6 (3:10pm) Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m)
Eleven sprinters remain in contention for the Luskin Star Stakes; a race that often attracts some of the formed short course specialists from the late autumn, as well as horses targeting sprint features in sprint. The Team Hawkes-trained Snoopy (barrier 6) is set to jump favourite in the race and is a noted first-up performer, while Gold Symphony (barrier 7) should also be right in the finish of the race first-up. Godolphin pair Grunderzeit (barrier 4) and Old North (barrier 8) have reportedly taken plenty of benefit from their first runs a fortnight ago and the Chris Waller-trained Sir Bacchus (barrier 2) is perfectly placed in this race second-up, and will relish a weight of only 55kgs.
Tip: No. 7 Sir Bacchus ($5.50)
Race 7 (3:50pm) Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m)
The feature race on Day 2 of The Scone Cup Carnival has drawn a classy and open field and a case can be made for nearly every horse to be right in the finish. Daysee Doom (barrier 3) has returned to racing in career-best form this time and may be offered her best chance of a return to winning form in this race. Artistry has gone somewhat amiss since her smart first-up win, but she is drawn ideally in barrier 2 and will be partnered by Hugh Bowman. Black type winners Shillelagh (barrier 5), Elle Lou (barrier 12) and I Love It (barrier 6) are also live chances in this race at healthy odds. The Chris Walller-trained Tsaritsa (barrier 11) is the market mover at the time of publish and appears as though she will hit peak condition in the race.
Tip: No. 9 Tsaritsa – Each Way ($12/$3.80)
Race 8 (4:30pm) Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m)
A classy field of sprinters will line up for the Ortensia Stakes; the final race on Day 2 of the Scone Cup Carnival. Last-start winner Felines (barrier 3) is again primed for a big performance, but faces a step up in class into the Ortensia Stakes field. Dothraki (barrier 8) has been charged with carrying topweight, but is arguably the class horse of this field and should prove tough to beat. Nieta (barrier 6) is the short-priced favourite and should prove tough to beat, but there’s far-more talent in this race than her first-up assignment. Consistent veteran Big Memory (barrier 1) is not without a chance, at healthy odds.
Tip: No. 1 Dothraki – Each Way ($8/$2.50)
