Raceday focus: Best bets for Cootamundra, Scone

A progressive gelding from the Jamie Stewart yard can make it back-to-back wins at Cootamundra while a Kim Waugh-trained mare looks the goods at Scone. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales is at Cootamundra and Scone on Friday.

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones gives his best bets and runs the rule over the Quaddie legs at Cootamundra and Scone.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

COOTAMUNDRA

BEST BET

Race 4, No.2: LIGHTS ON THE HILL

He’s a horse on the way up and looks well placed here after winning at Moruya fourth-up which was coming after two placings. He should be able to go on with it here from barrier one.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.1: READY TO HUMBLE

He’ll love the track conditions today as he builds towards a win off two good runs in the Dubbo and Coonamble Cups when beaten by Aesop’s Fable on both occasions. That horse isn’t here.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2, 3, 5

Race 6: 4, 7, 8

Race 7: 1, 2, 8, 9

Race 8: 1, 8, 10

Trainer Keith Dryden has a number of good chances at Cootamundra on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

TRAINER TO WATCH

Keith Dryden will fancy his chances of at least one win on Friday with the likes of Oh No Mikki, All Formidable and Dip Me Lid in the Cup.

SCONE

BEST BET

Race 6, No.3: BUBA

She’s been running well in city races including in Saturday events so this is a good starting point this time in under new trainer Kim Waugh who is looking for an early win.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Grant Buckley has good rides today but I’m looking forward to seeing him finish off the day well on Toto and Faatinaat in the final two races.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR COOTAMUNDRA

RACE 5

Baledon improved greatly from his fresh run to his second-up one last preparation so look for that improvement again for this run after a good enough effort fresh and the blinkers have now been put on. Princess Glamour likes to jump and lead and even though she ran below expectations at Gosford last time she’s peaking third-up down in grade. All Formidable will get a smother from the gate and look to get a split in the straight on a track that’s wet enough for him to show his best. Flying Honour shoots for three-straight after hitting a purple patch.

Bet: All Formidable to win

RACE 6

Oh No Mikki has been a model of consistency this time in and could have easily won all three races for Keith Dryden. He’s drawn a little awkward but has the ability to take a sit a let down late which probably plays into his hands. Miss Elsie May finished just in behind Oh No Mikki that day and you could argue she was going better on the line so don’t rule her out because the runs prior were good too without winning. The poor strike rate is the worry. Chairman’s Choice has also drawn out but he gets back anyway and will appreciate the step back up to 1100m.

Bet: Oh No Mikki to win

Brodie Loy (pictured) rides Oh No Mikki on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 7

Ready To Humble will be glad that Aesop’s Fable isn’t lining up here after getting beat by it at his past two. This race has been plan for a little while now and he gets a good run from the gate. Perfect Illusion has raced in much stronger races than this and has a first-up win to his name. Look for him late. Zounique doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He will need to put in a peak performance to win but he’s got 5kg less than he carried at Goulburn last time which should give him a few lengths of improvement to be right in this.

Bet: Ready To Humble to win

RACE 8

The veteran Delivered looks well placed here off a freshen up and down a little in grade which is why he lugs the top weight but he’s not carrying too much more than most of the field and he has a win here. Madison Point gets in well at the weights and will probably enjoy getting away from Queanbeyan and coming to a track where he scored at his only outing. Revellers has put in two good enough runs for his new trainer and is much better suited racing in this part of the state. Sacred Spice will love it if the track stays heavy.

Bet: Revellers to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR SCONE

RACE 5

We’ll look to the lightlyraced runners here I think. I’m Not A Slew surprised a few on debut at Gosford when running second at $10 but Scott Singleton has a habit of doing that with his horses and she’s on her home track now with the perfect draw. Sharkosphere also performed above expectations on debut and got beat in a photo but was given a gem of a ride at Scone that day last month. She’s trialled up well since and is ready to win according to the stable. Debutant My Burgundy jogged in a trial and we’ll find out what’s really under the bonnet. Cut ‘Em Up would’ve won if it didn’t miss the mick on debut. This could be a good form race

Bet: Sharkosphere to win

RACE 6

Zou De Moon will be well supported here after she won her first start for Jason Deamer after coming to him from the Waterhouse/Bott yard. She looks to have plenty of guts and determination and is hard to get past with second-up improvement. Harlem Groove pulled up coughing last start when pulled out of the race at Scone. She has trialled up since so expect a bounce back. Buba has to be a hope going off previous form in town in Saturday racing. She’ll want further but 1400m fresh should be fine in this grade.

Bet: Buba to win

Buba (right) makes her debut for trainer Kim Waugh. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Toto was good in his first run back at Newcastle following a broken jaw suffered in a truck crash at the start of the year. He’s a second-up winner and trainer Todd Howlett feels he’s ready to keep that good record intact. Velorom has been given three good trials off a long break after previously being trained by Team Hawkes who won with him fresh at Canterbury in January. Has to be a hope for new trainer Paul Messara. Lemaire and Perlant are lightly raced and could jump out of the ground.

Bet: Quinella 1, 5

RACE 8

Lady River returns and is looking to keep her unbeaten record at her home track going for trainer Scott Singleton who hasn’t publicly trialled her this time in but she does go very well fresh and is expected to race well despite the wide gate. Faatinaat has drawn better this time and can race closer this time over 1100m after producing an eye-catching run fresh at Port Macquarie from last on the turn. Can Mr Cruise run out 1100m? Ranuncula won in top fashion off a long spell and he has run well second-up before.

Bet: Exacta 9, 10

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets for Cootamundra, Scone