Le Gai Soleil and Fashchanel give John O’Shea two strong chances to claim a third Dark Jewel Classic

John O’Shea has a strong hand to play in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone with talented mares La Gai Soleil and Fashchanel.

Le Gai Soleil is the favourite for the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer John O’Shea maintains there is little between talented duo Le Gai Soleil and Fashchanel going into the Group 3 $200,000 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at the Scone stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

The barrier draw suggests Le Gai Soleil has been advantaged starting out of gate six and Fashchanel out in 14 after the emergencies are withdrawn.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors certainly believe this is the case as Le Gai Soleil is the $4.20 favourite with Fashchanel at $10.

Fashchanel looks good value at $10 in the Dark Jewel Classic. Picture: Getty Images

However, O’Shea would have preferred to swap the barriers as Le Gai Soleil is a backmarker who doesn’t appreciate being inside horses and Fashchanel likes to race on speed.

But both mares look hard to beat in a very open Dark Jewel Classic, a race O’Shea has won twice previously with Rocha Clock (2021) and Seaside (2014).

Le Gai Soleil is resuming in the Scone feature but the mare has an outstanding first-up record with four wins (and a third) from five starts.

Fashchanel has had the benefit of a very good comeback effort when a close third in the Hawkesbury Crown but she is winless in four second-up attempts.

O’Shea has a strong team entered for the Scone stand-alone meeting including promising filly Lady Harlem in the Listed $140,000 Woodland Stakes (1100m).

The leading Randwick trainer has the emerging I Am Lethal and Cotehele clashing in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) and Comrade Rosa lines up in the Listed $140,000 Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m).

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: The Dramatist $7-$3.60 with bets of $2,000 at $4.60, $1,000 at $5.50, $800 at $7

Race 2: Lovetheinvasion $4.40-$3.90, Charity Spirit $10-$8 after a $600 wager at $10

Race 3: Military Mission $2.80-$2.40 including a $2,000 bet at $2.40

Race 4: In Secret $4-$3.30 with a bet of $1,250 at $3.70, Deep Expectation $18-$11

Race 5: Sacrimony $6-$4 including a $1,000 bet at $5

Race 6: I Am Me $4.40-$3.30 with a $600 wager at $3.80, Authentic Jewel $15-$10 including a $200 bet at $15

Race 7: Andermatt $2.30-$2.25 with bet of $2,700 e/w at $2.30/$1.30

Race 8: Le Gai Soleil $8-$4.20 after bets of $700 at $7.50, $500 at $5.50, Majestic Shot $11-$8 with a $300 wager at $8

Race 9: Andermatt $4-$2.50 with another bet of $2,700 at $2.50

Race 10: Athelric $3.90-$3.10 with a $2,200 wager at $3.30, Rainbow Connection $13-$9.50 after a bet of $650 at $13

I Am Me has come in for good support in race 6 at Scone. Picture: Getty Images

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 1,4,8

Race 4: 3,4,5,16

Race 5: 2,11

Race 6: 3,4,5,6

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,3,4

Race 8: 5,9,15,16

Race 9: 2,3,13,18

Race 10: 1,3,12

PRICE CHECK

The Dramatist (race 1) has been the best-backed runner at the Scone stand-alone meeting. Trained on the track by Rod Northam, The Dramatist scored a very impressive win at Tamworth and has been heavily backed to keep his winning momentum going at Scone. He has firmed from $7 into $3.60 with bets of $2,000 at $4.60, $1,000 at $5.50, $800 at $7

TRIAL POINTERS

Lady Harlem (race 4) is a John O’Shea-trained filly with a big pedigree. She is by Sebring of a Fastnet Rock stakes winner, namely Harlem River, who is herself a close relation to The Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes. Lady Harlem has already picked up $72,000 after just one start, that being her second in the Inglis Banner at the Valley on Cox Plate Day. Narrow but impressive heat winner at Randwick 12 days ago.

Le Gai Soleil (race 8) is an exceptionally well-bred mare whose value will soar if and when she can win a stakes race. For starters, she is a daughter of Tavistock out of a Danzero mare whose offspring include the dual Group 1 winning NZ mare Danzadance who was also placed in the NZ Derby, Ranvet Stakes and Queen of The Turf Stakes. As for Le Gai Soleil, she excels fresh, has won two of her five starts on a heavy track and is primed for Saturday’s Dark Jewel off impressive back-to-back trials at Randwick.

SECTIONAL STARS

Harvey’s Way (race 2) is trained at Newcastle by David Atkins. This son of Cox Plate winner Adelaide has a tidy record of two wins and three placings from his seven starts. The three-year-old bay gelding was last seen finishing fast - as usual - in a Benchmark 64 at home, not beaten at all far by the above-average New Republic over 1400m. Steps up to 1700m on Saturday which presents more of a plus than a negative.

Edit (race 7) is a Gerry Harvey-bred son of Westbury Stud’s resident Oakleigh Plate winner, Swiss Ace. Edit balances the intense speed of his sire with the stamina of his grandam, Jezzabeel, who won the 1998 Melbourne Cup. Edit hasn’t managed a win in his three starts this time in work but at least two of the defeats contained considerable merit not least his closing one and a half-length fifth in Bandersnatch’s record breaking Tamworth Cup win.

BEST BET

Sacrimony (race 5) was very impressive at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting, finishing powerfully to run down smart sprinters Queen Bellissimo and Authentic Jewel. Sacrimony wasn’t entirely comfortably in the very heavy conditions last start but he was strong late. Promising three-year-old from the Chris Waller stable and should appreciate the spacious Scone track.

VALUE BET

Always Sure (race 2) was held up at a vital stage in the straight and wasn’t fully tested to the line when sixth to Deepstrike at Hawkesbury. Another suited by the big Scone track, Always Sure also boasts a powerful finishing burst. He seemed to get through the heavy conditions quite well at Hawkesbury but his chances will be boosted if the track gets back into the soft range at Scone. Good value around $14.

THE JUDGEMENT

SCONE

R7: Luskin Star Stakes (1300m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Most are expecting the exciting Andermatt to go on his winning way. I am too, although it isn’t without a few ’buts’! The wide barrier could be of concern, but if Rachel King can find cover in the run, he’ll be fine. Running out a strong 1300m is also an unknown, but he’s the horse on the up here. Bandersnatch is absolutely flying at the moment, and if he can repeat his Tamworth effort he’ll be in the finish. Edit is a talent and can figure if he puts it all together, Charmmebaby is ridiculous odds.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Hoping the track gets back into the soft range here and happy to be against Andermatt at the odds stepping out to 1300m. Dynamite at both runs back but that was 1100m and this is a whole new ballgame now. Bandersnatch was very good at Tamworth off a strong resumption in a Group 3 at Newcastle but doesn’t want it wet. The $11 is good shopping.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Tycoonist was an impressive first up winner and looks to get similar conditions here. Andermatt has been in excellent form but has to contend with barrier 14 and usually races better earlier in his prep. Happy to take him on as the short-priced favourite.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Andermatt likely to be all the rage here if lining up but drawn poorly and never won past 1100m. Think Tycoonist is the better bet here with a very strong second-up record and a positive map.”

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Outside of the favourite Andermatt, there’s solid money around for a few at double figures, particularly Bandersnatch at $10 and Charmmebaby at $34.”

Verdict: Andermatt

Godolphin sprinter Andermatt is expected to continue on his winning way in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes. Picture: Grant Guy

R8: Dark Jewel Classic (1400m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “You could have 12 cracks at this and still miss the winner! When I spoke to John O’Shea at the races during the week he said this was a ’target race’ for Le Gai Soleil and that’s good enough for me. She has a terrific first-up record, Kerrin McEvoy rides, and she can start her Autumn/Winter preparation in style. Majestic Shot gets a lovely run here and backs up from a good effort at Gosford last Saturday. Exotic Ruby will be tough on speed again, Wandabaa has drawn out on Middlebrook Rd but will fly late.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Le Gai Soleil has proven to be virtually unbeatable first-up with, in fact, her only loss coming in a three-way photo at her first race start. Trialled very well at Randwick recently and the edge off the track is no concern. Limit weight another plus. Can’t let Cliff’s Art go around at big odds without me.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “I loved the way Never Talk finished off her race last start at Hawkesbury. She was dead last with 400m to run and rocketed home late to run 4th. She goes on top from the favourite Le Gai Soleil who has been well backed with punters after opening at $7.50 earlier in the week.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Track pattern crucial here because on paper it looks a real race for those blending in down the middle late in the day. Le Gai Soleil fits that profile and has trialled up brilliantly after the freshen up. She’s attracted good support at BlueBet ($7.50-$4.00) accounting for more than 50 per cent of the current hold on the race.”

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Le Gai Soleil has close to half the hold so far with a few sharp punters getting on at $7 while Exotic Ruby at $18 has attracted interest.”

Verdict: Le Gai Soleil

EAGLE FARM

R8: Doomben 10,000 (1200m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “If he wasn’t already crowned the country’s most exciting young sprinter, Mazu, gets his chance to confirm it here. Dry track, wet track, nothing seems to phase this bombproof 3yo, and I can see him settling near the speed before racing away. Count De Rupee is just a good sprinter, maybe not totally at home on a wet track, but he’s going so well. Paulele is another classy 3yo and too good to overlook. High class NZ mare Entriviere is very much a ’yard watch’ and her quality takes her a long way.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Mazu faces his stiffest test to date taking on open ages at weight-for-age as he looks for his sixth straight win. Certainly no value at $3 so looking elsewhere. What’s wrong with Special K? Kementari has been here and won before so no problems handling Eagle Farm. He likes the edge off the track and comes off a very brave win at Randwick beating Count De Rupee, and meets him 3kg better. Just wish Entriviere drew an alley as her form is very strong.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Kementari was very impressive first up and Nash Rawiller sticks with him. Should get a lovely run from barrier 3. He goes on top from the favourite Mazu who has won 5 races in row. He also maps to get a good run and will prove hard to beat.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “A race with strong speed on paper. We’ll be laying Mazu at the early price and he’s been $2.50-$3.00 with us early. Kementari scraped paint to win well first up, looks primed with the mid prep trial and finds a wet track. Like him on an each-way basis.”

Rohan Welsh (TAB): “Mazu has drifted from $2.70 to $3 in the TAB Doomben 10,000 but is still best backed with double the take of Kementari and Count De Rupee even with ‘Special K’ tightening from $9 into $7.”

Verdict: Mazu