Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Scone, Dubbo

A Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained gelding is perfectly drawn to make it two in-a-row at Scone. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainers Sterling Alexiou (left) and Gerald Ryan have Vengeful ready to win again at Scone oN Friday. Picture: Getty Images

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

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SCONE

BEST BET

Race 8, No.7: VENGEFUL

He had to do it from a wide gate at Muswellbrook last time but got the job done in fine fashion with a soft win on the line and he can go on with it from here from barrier two.

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No.14: OPAL RIDGE

She’s been off the scene for a long time off a most impressive debut win at Canberra and she’s very forward to race again at her new home track.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 5, 9

Race 6: 2, 6, 12, 14

Race 7: 3, 6, 8, 13

Race 8: 7, 9, 11

Dylan Gibbons will be a major player in the TAB Jockey Challenge at Scone. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Dylan Gibbons has good chances with Powerful Peg, Willinga Freefall and Hemsworth.

DUBBO

BEST BET

Race 3, No.2: PICCADILLY LASS

She’s got a good gate which is key in a big field and has the recent form to suggest she’s well placed in this part of the state. She should be hitting the line strongly.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Blake Ryan will be hoping Champ Profond and Critical Time get luck from their wide gates because they look good enough to win their respective races.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR SCONE

RACE 5

Scorched Land has the number one saddle but has a claim to help his get in with a winnable weight from barrier one and is in the right form for a race like this and he ticks every box. Fanmalia had to fight back late to win at Tamworth last time and he gets his tow back into the ground now which shouldn’t hurt. Casirina has drawn wide but loves wet ground and is on a quicker back up now and might even lead them here. Mister Smartee might have another win in him at huge odds. Persian Beauty is also suited by the conditions.

Bet: Scorched Land to win

RACE 6

Opal Ridge didn’t have a lot go right on debut at Canberra when getting bumped and pushed out wide but was still good enough to pick herself up and sprint away with a classy win. That was in January and she’s not been seen at the trials but trust the debut win and she’s on her new home track now. Apache Blue was running on first-up and has a second-up win in the bank already and will be coming late again if ridden cold from the wide gate. My One scored at decent odds first-up at Taree and if the penny’s dropped she’s probably going to start overs here.

Bet: Opal Ridge to win

Trainer Kris Lees prepares Powerful Peg. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 7

Powerful Peg is well placed here with a good weight and a better gate than she had on debut so she can be a touch closer in the run and be a much better hope of winning now after being strong through the line last time. Talisman Saber has had three trials to get ready for a debut run and expect and forward showing. Exo Angel draws wide yet again and will probably sit back and looked to run on. Valoria almost won on debut in town and can be forgiven for the last run.

Bet: Powerful Peg to win

RACE 8

Why is Miss Laquetta at such long odds? She’s only won once in 12 starts which is probably the reason but she’s gone fairly close in a few races of late and going up just an extra 100m helps. It’s hard not to be impressed with Vengeful’s win at Muswellbrook last start after running into a fair horse fresh at the provincials. He’s well placed here and looks the one to beat third-up where he can’t be going backwards. Russley Crown led but got swamped at Newcastle fresh but is back in grade and is fitter now.

Bet: Vengeful to win

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR DUBBO

RACE 5

Wanderbetough let the punters down last start when leading but fading badly in the straight when favourite at Scone. She might be better ridden with a sit here so she runs in out stronger. Might be worth another chance in a weak race here. All Things Great is back in trip after not running out a mile last time and in the previous two starts he ran second at this distance at this track. Champ Profond streamed home late here three weeks ago and will be suited by 1315m now.

Bet: Wanderbetough to win

RACE 6

It’s a shame Possibly So has drawn the carpark here as he builds a nice race record. He does get back anyway so it won’t affect his pattern but horses like him need luck in the run. Mandalong Cash has drawn better here and should take a lot out of a fresh run at Canberra as a well-backed horse. He’s found a weak race here to take advantage of. Couture broke through last start here after coming from off the speed and letting down well for a good win. It might just give her the confidence to go on with it.

Bet: Possibly So to win

Jockey Anthony Cavallo rides Possibly So at Dubbo on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 7

It’s hard to believe Pandering has won just once in 16 starts. She’s placed on eight occasions and has finally drawn a gate after coming out of barrier 11 at her past two runs. She’s better suited on a dry track and this is her chance to win again. Lady Riz has drawn wide but should come in a bit with scratchings and she’s back in grade here which gives her a good chance of claiming this race with some luck and getting her toe into the ground would help her chances. Roman Candle and Cheeky Nugget look to be the other chances if they start in this race.

Bet: Pandering to win

RACE 8

Coopella looks to be a promising horse after winning two and running second in her first three runs. She’s back from a spell and her trainer was very happy with her lead up barrier trial and she gets a 3kg claim to help. Critical Time has drawn out but is well placed here after already winning a provincial race as an odds-on pop. His here for a kill to kick things off at his second preparation and only the bad gate is the worry. Talons probably sits in behind the speed and one off the fence so he gets his chance to let down off a good run in transit.

Bet: Quinella 1, 6

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Scone, Dubbo