Scone Turf Talk: Our experts are Thinking there’s a Clear top pick in 2025 Ortensia Stakes

Ray Thomas and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances over the next two days at Scone, where they’re both keen on a locally-trained mare in one of Saturday’s feature races.

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances at Scone over the next two days.

Ray Thomas and Shayne O'Cass.

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Thomas: Shayno, can I drag you out of Sydney for the Scone carnival? I’ll shout Chinese at the bowling club?

O’Cass: They should make you a life member at that joint RT. You wrap them every year. But having been shouted there by you before, I can vouch for their tucker.

Thomas: What do you like in Friday’s Scone Cup? I can’t find a reason not to go with Know Thyself. He’s flying.

Know Thyself makes it four on the trot and wins The Coast! 🔥@AshMorgan6 | @Paulmessara | @LGavranichpic.twitter.com/UpqfNMhL8v

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025

• Flying local Know Thyself sneaks into Scone Cup field

O’Cass: True enough and I would love to see a local win. That said, I am really keen on the Ciaron Maher-trained import Royal Supremacy who was runner-up in the Italian Derby and ran well in a couple of other major races in England.

Thomas: It’s a very competitive program on Saturday. In the Dark Jewel Classic I’ve gone with the Godolphin filly Zeitung. She’s coming off a very good third behind Media World in the Hawkesbury Guineas and although she is taking on older mares here, she is effective on rain-affected going.

🌏 Media World hangs on in the G3 @hawkesburyrc Guineas and makes it two in a row!@SnowdenRacing1 | @G1TySchil | @YulongInvestpic.twitter.com/rip3F1hXjK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025

• ‘I gave it up, I didn’t want to ride again’: Morgan’s comeback for the ages

O’Cass: I thought that if Vibrant Sun could recapture her Group 1 form that she would obviously be a contender. If the trials are anything to judge her by, she does seems to have that little spark about her again.

Thomas: The Denise’s Joy Stakes – what a great mare she was, Shayno – is another very open race. Matt Laurie’s strike-rate in NSW is incredible and his filly, Soft Love, is a deserved favourite but I’m leaning to Shohisha, a proven wet-tracker with a good fresh record.

Shohisha bobs the head at the right time to beat the favourite and win Race 1 for @DPayneRacing at Warwick Farm! 💰 pic.twitter.com/KK0j4pQUiE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 21, 2024

• ‘Her form looks pretty good now’: Payne’s filly Shohisha deserving of Joy

O’Cass: Like a Crownie and the Mongolian Lamb at the Scone Bowlo, we are in complete unison here RT. If there was one that could challenge the pair, it might be Summer Flame from the Chris Waller stable.

Thomas: How tough is the Ortensia Stakes! It would be fitting if her former trainer, Paul Messara, could win with Clear Thinking. She’s drawn wide and will get back in the field but watch for her charging home.

O’Cass: You’re her biggest fan so I’ll tag along too. I agree, I don’t think the wide draw is a deal-breaker at this track in this projected pace.

Clear Thinking is the clear winner of the first at Scone, winning by 9 lengths for @Paulmessara and @LGavranich! pic.twitter.com/qVE9iAhv1R

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 11, 2024

• ‘She has come up terrific’: Robl chases more Joy at Scone carnival

Thomas: Can we find the winner in the Luskin Star Stakes? It’s another very open race but I’m going to stay with Gallant Star.

O’Cass: My heart is with Kris Lees (son of Max, trainer of Luskin Star) but my stash is with Chrysoar. Big welcome back Rory Hutchings too.

Originally published as Scone Turf Talk: Our experts are Thinking there’s a Clear top pick in 2025 Ortensia Stakes