Scone tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy best bets and analysis

Ron Dufficy is keen on Military Mission to redeem himself after a close second last week while Ray Thomas likes Sacrimony to go back-to-back.

Sacrimony scored a nice win at the Hawkesbury stand-alone last start and can go back-to-back at Scone on Saturday. Picture: Grant Guy

The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy assess each race at the feature Scone stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

SUGGESTED BETS

DUFF’S BEST

Race 3, No.1: MILITARY MISSION

NEXT BEST

Race 5, No.11: SACRIMONY

RAY’S BEST

Race 5, No.11: SACRIMONY

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.3: IN SECRET

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.5: ALWAYS SURE

RACE 1: TAB HIGHWAY (1500m):

Ron Dufficy: The Dramatist on top for me. He was impressive winning at Tamworth, he has good form on his home track at Scone, and I feel he might be hard to hold out here. Keen Contributer was very good last week in a Highway at Randwick. He looks well placed from the good draw. Daksha looks over the odds considering his last two Highway efforts. He gets in light with 52kg. Sungblue backs up from last week when he was quite solid but the step up to 1500m is a slight query.

Ray Thomas: Keen Contributer has reeled off a hat-trick of second placings including his luckless effort behind Mr Hussill in a Randwick Highway. Drawn nicely in barrier one and will get the run of the race. This is his chance. Angelical is a promising mare with a perfect record after three starts. She’s resuming here after a close third in a recent Tamworth trial. The Dramatist has a powerful finishing surge as he demonstrated at Tamworth last start. Sungblue is racing well and rates among the main chances.

Always Sure (red/yellow) was a little unlucky at Hawkesbury last start and will appreciate the big Scone track. Getty Images

RACE 2: MIDWAY HCP (1700m)

Dufficy: I’m hoping for a soft track at worst and if that is the case then Harvey’s Way will be hard to beat. He ran a much better race on a drier track last start and his form last preparation shapes up to a race like this. Always Sure is also much better on a firmer track but he over-achieved on a heavy surface last start so I think he is well placed here at double figure odds. Lovetheinvasion is an up-and-coming mare who dominated that race at Muswellbrook first-up, she has a good record and gets the claim. Outlook is a strong mare who caught the eye charging through the line first-up and will be improved.

Thomas: Always Sure was held up at a vital stage in the straight and should have finished much closer than sixth to Deepstrike at Hawkesbury two weeks ago. This race should be run at a genuine tempo, the firmer surface is in his favour and the big Scone track suits him, too. Always Sure looks a good each way bet at double figure odds. Achira ran on well in the heavy conditions at Hawkesbury last start and the extra distance is in her favour. Lovetheinvasion was very good first-up at Muswellbrook and can only improve. The same applies to Outlook who hit the line hard at Warwick Farm when resuming.

RACE 3: BENCHMARK 78 HCP (2200m)

Dufficy: I’m a big fan of Military Mission. I know he had a tough run last week but if he can bounce out of that and reproduce he should go close to winning. The horse I’m saving on is Mission Phoenix. He has had three runs back from a long, long spell and showed dramatic improvement last start. I think he can hold his form now. Caboche is a lightly-raced three-year-old and his trial win on the Kensington track was good. He’s a definite lightweight chance here. Stellar Performer is very honest and will be in the finish again.

Thomas: Military Mission looked home at Gosford last week but ducked in under pressure and he was run down on the line by Hameron. Military Mission had won his previous two starts brilliantly and is the one to beat. Stellar Performer ran on well behind Main Stage and Hameron at Canterbury which is good form for this race. Mission Phoenix is improving with racing and Bonny Ezra is also on the quick back-up after a solid effort at Gosford.

Military Mission (red blinkers) can bounce back from his close second to Hameron at Gosford last week. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4: WOODLANDS STAKES (1100m)

Dufficy: This looks a target race for In Secret. She’s a well-bred filly who impressed on debut at Hawkesbury. She was very soft on the line winning with ease and the form around that race is good. She has had an easy trial since and has upside. Sweet Mercy was placed behind In Secret at Hawkesbury and franked that form winning last start. She looks big odds for an improver. Lady Harlem is off a long break and any market moves are significant. Luna Rocks was dominant at the midweeks on the heavy last start and has talent.

Thomas: In Secret was so impressive at Hawkesbury, bursting between runners then racing clear to score with authority on debut. She has been given a soft trial since and the big track at Scone will suit her. Mills was in the market on debut when unplaced at Randwick behind Russian Conquest back in December. She has shaped well in two recent barrier trials and is drawn to get the soft run. One to watch at odds. Lady Harlem ran well behind the smart Semillion at her only start back in the spring but her trials suggest she is going to be hard to beat here. Luna Rock was very good at Warwick Farm and will be in this for a long way.

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1300m)

Dufficy: I loved the win of Sacrimony at Hawkesbury. He did it well and he might be ready to go on with the job. Talented horse in his second racing preparation and is the one to beat. And We Danced has really captured my attention at the trials. She is a stablemate of Sacrimony and this is her first full preparation for Chris Waller. She is resuming with blinkers which shows intent. I Am Lethal needs it dry but the stable are talking him up as a lightweight Stradbroke chance so if that is the case he could be right in the finish. Dynamic Impact has been given a couple of soft trials and he could be dangerous considering he won first-up last campaign.

Thomas: Sacrimony showed his quality to run down smart sprinters Queen Bellissimo and Authentic Jewel at Hawkesbury. I don’t think Sacrimony was all that comfortable in the heavy conditions that day but was still too good for his rivals. Promising three-year-old and can win again. Dynamic Impact was very strong through the line in a recent Hawkesbury barrier trial and is primed to sprint well fresh. Divine Breath endured a wide run last start and had excuses. She is over the odds here. I Am Lethal will be finishing hard.

Mallory has drawn to get and ideal run and can break through for an overdue win. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6: DENISE’S JOY STAKES (1100m)

Dufficy: Anything goes here. I’ve been a fan of Mallory. This is a winnable race for her given the draw where she maps well just off a hot speed. Zapateo doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will be at her peak fourth up from a spell. I Am Me has won her races on dry tracks and if she gets a suitable surface, she is a player. A Very Fine Red has been freshened waiting for these drier tracks and will be strong late.

Thomas: Authentic Jewel was taken on in front at Hawkesbury and she did well for third to Sacrimony when resuming. Fitter for that run, she has good tactical speed and give herself every chance. A Very Fine Red had no luck in the PJ Bell Stakes last start, she has been freshened since and rates highly. Zapateo is racing very well but the wide barrier is a concern. Sky Command, well drawn in barrier one, is having her first start for a new stable but blitzed her rivals in a recent barrier trial.

RACE 7: LUSKIN STAR STAKES (1300m)

Dufficy: Andermatt has looked the real thing at his last two starts, admittedly on heavy 10 tracks over 1100m. So, if there is a question mark then it has to be over 1300m on a drier track. But I’m happy to gamble with Andermatt. Bandersnatch was terrific at Tamworth running fast time and must respect him. Tycoonist usually improves second-up so his win at Hawkesbury when resuming shows he has come back really well. Edit is a backmarker and needs things to go his way.

Thomas: Andermatt, who is also in the Ortensia Stakes, has been absolutely brilliant in his two wins this campaign and is ready for the step up to stakes level. Godolphin has a big opinion of this emerging sprinter and he is very effective on all track surfaces. Just needs to find cover from his wide barrier and he should win again. Tycoonist was scratched from the Ortensia Stakes in preference for this and is well suited going out to 1300m after an impressive comeback win in the Hawkesbury Rush. Bandersnatch is flying and set a national record for 1400m winning the Tamworth Cup last start. Much Much Better was good first-up and is way over the odds.

Le Gai Soleil has a great first-up record and is a great chance in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 8: DARK JEWEL CLASSIC (1400m)

Dufficy: Majestic Shot is back to her own sex here after a good third in the Takeover Target Stakes last start. I thought she should have finished a bit closer last week and, on the back-up here from that good draw and right run, she will run well. Mirra Vision has the best form and I like her being freshened up for Scone. I know she has the weight I have to include her. Le Gai Soleil is lethal fresh but I just don’t want it too wet. Brookspire disappointed at Hawkesbury but she was never balanced and is too good not to give another chance.

Thomas: Le Gai Soleil has won four of her five first-up attempts and has been trialling well in preparation for this race. The big field will generate a solid tempo and Le Gai Soleil will be finishing strongly late. Majestic Shot was unlucky in the Takeover Target Stakes and she is suited back to mares grade here. Brookspire was heavily backed when resuming at Hawkesbury and although disappointing she can improve sharply. Fashchanel was terrific at Hawkesbury first-up but has to overcome a horror draw.

RACE 9: ORTENSIA STAKES (1100m)

Dufficy: Andermatt might be a safer bet at the 1100m where he has been winning. It won’t be as wet as the tracks he has been racing on but he’s certainly an exciting prospect. How exciting? We will find out this weekend but he might even be an Everest prospect. Roheryn has been going well at the trials without being tested and he is very good fresh. Malkovich was anchored on the heavy track at Hawkesbury and he will be giving plenty of cheek for a long way. Lord Olympus was a hidden run last week and he will be storming home late.

Thomas: Which race will Andermatt contest? He can win either and if the stable decides to tackle the 1100m sprint then he’s clearly a standout selection. If Andermatt goes to the Luskin Star Stakes, then this becomes an open race with Malkovich the one to beat. He was brave in very heavy conditions at Hawkesbury and the drier track is in his favour. Mr Mosaic is very fast and is protecting an unbeaten first-up record. Roehryn is another brilliant fresh sprinter and will be charging home.

Hulk can end the day on a high with a first-up win. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 10: BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1100m)

Dufficy: Hulk is a hard horse to catch but I feel he is the one. I think Chris Waller has worked out Hulk is a good fresh horse and this is an acceptable target for him. Athelric hasn’t put a foot wrong winning his last two starts by good margins. Rainbow Connection is a huge query. He’s a good talent who hasn’t raced for over a year but is sure to run well. Lady Of Luxury is capable fresh and can handle all conditions.

Thomas: Athelric is in the zone after brilliant wins over 1000m at successive Warwick Farm midweek meetings. He has excelled on very heavy tracks in recent weeks but he is effective on firmer tracks, too. He has the benefit of the apprentice’s 3kg claim and the right barrier. American President has been doing freakish things on very heavy tracks and is rock-hard fit. Rainbow Connection is resuming after a long spell but has a touch of quality about him. Fastconi is ready to sprint well fresh.

SUGGESTED BETS

Shayne O’Cass’ top picks

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 7, No.3: COUNT ON ME

Reliable Man three-year-old who sent out some encouraging signs at his first campaign. Bred to get better with each passing day and has trialled well.

NEXT BEST

Race 1, No.9: PICCINNI

Quite a typical Pierro filly; that is to say, wants a mile and maybe more later and should be at home on rain affected ground if she’s anything like her father was.

VALUE BET

Race 4, No.10: SHEER ELEGANCE

Striking filly whose two trials at Warwick Farm and Hawkesbury indicate talent. Gives the impression she might be strong late.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 1, Nos. 5 and 9

QUADDIE

Race 6: 1,2,3

Race 7: 3,14

Race 8: 2,4,5,

Race 9: 4,6,8,9,10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Mitchell Bell has enough horsepower to give the TAB Jockeys Challenge a nudge (barring any scratchings).

TUNCURRY

BEST BET

Race 4, No.2: SIR RAVANELLI

Never in doubt winning his 1200m maiden at Grafton on April 29 on the Heavy 9. Can keep progressing.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.4: SO AND SO

Third-up here and capable of figuring, nay winning, in this line-up, third-up from the good draw and Ben Looker on.

VALUE BET

Race 1, No.4: MAASAI MARA

Local from the Terry Evans stable resuming. Has a decent fresh record and only win was on a Heavy track.

Originally published as Scone tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy best bets and analysis