Best bets, Inside Mail for Scone on Thursday

Daily Telegraph racing expert Mitch Cohen has analysed all the chances for the NSW country meeting at Scone on Thursday.

Reece Jones and the colours of Rod Northam are set for a big day at Scone. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Daily Telegraph racing expert Mitch Cohen has done all the form for Thursday’s eight race card at Scone and reckons Reece Jones and Rod Northam could be in for big days.

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 3 – Fuld’s Doubt

Classy mare returning from break on home turf. Her lead up trial indicates a big return.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 5 – See You Then

Promising filly on debut in her own backyard. She’s trialled up well and is from the right yard.

VALUE BEST

Race 8 No. 5 – Tea Or Coffee

On speed runner that gets a perfect draw and Aaron Bullock aboard. He will take catching.

QUADDIE

Race 5 – 3, 4, 5, 12

Race 6 – 1, 2, 5

Race 7 – 1, 3, 6, 8

Race 8 – 3, 5, 14

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Reece Jones has had more winners at Scone than any other track – 51 in total – and looks poised for another big day.

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

Rod Northam has another typically strong hand on home turf with the likes of Be Sharp, Fuld’s Doubt, See You Then and Upwardly Mobile all great hances.

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Lighthouse Lass is an unraced daughter of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist and comes out of the same trial as a few of her rivals on debut. She won that hit out over 900m by a narrow margin and looked good doing so, as she has in her other public appearances. If she can bring that form to raceday, she will take beating. The same goes for Be Sharp. The son of Headwater finished alongside the top pick in the same trial and you’d expect she will take good improvement from it. Comongin makes the trip up from Dubbo after catching the eye in an 800m heat and can’t be discounted on debut.

Verdict: Lighthouse Lass to win.

RACE 2

Fuld’s Doubt looks poised for a bold showing in her first start in 30 weeks. Trainer Rod Northam thought enough of her to test her in a Listed Denise’s Joy last year and while she was well beaten, her country form before that is more than strong enough for this. A recent trial win suggests she’s ready for a big first-up showing on home turf. Pride To Follow has won two of her four starts and will appreciate a significant drop in grade here. Her only previous attempt at this track and trip was a strong maiden win. Lizzie’s Gem should be rock hard fit and ready to run a race from the perfect draw.

Verdict: Fuld’s Doubt to win.

RACE 3

Taipan Legend is an eye-catching chestnut in his second preparation for Cameron Crockett. The former city galloper has appreciated the switch to country grade and finally broke through with a win over the mile at Dubbo last time. He stays at that ideal trip here, gets the gun draw and can win again. The Rod Northam pair of Great Point and Hammond Thunder are both dangers but tipping the latter is ready to peak now third-up. He’s unbeaten at the mile.

Verdict: Taipan Legend to win, quinella 2, 5.

RACE 4

Yorikiri has only won two of his 35 starts but should have added to that number last time out. The Paul Perry-trained galloper got caught in a pocket over 2000m at Port Macquarie and somehow missed the placings. This isn’t a deep race and with more luck he should be right in this. Mellencamp has been the subject of a sustained move, shortening from $6 to $3.20 in early betting. It’s easy to see why from a perfect draw (barrier two) and some consistent recent form. Shadow Shot has to be considered over an ideal trip.

Verdict: Yorikiri to win. Boxed trifecta 3,4,7,8,9

RACE 5

Speedy Pete is returning from a lengthy 393-day spell. His one run to date won’t flatter but there was a lot to like about the way he puts them away in a 900m trial at Scone last week. The draw makes life tougher but in a competitive race he’s worth an each-way ticket. Crown Legend only found one better in his first start for Mack Griffith. He strips fitter for this and has Aaron Bullock to help him overcome a tricky gate. Debutants Gold Capital and Exceedzu have done enough at the trials to suggest they can run well.

Verdict: Speedy Pete each way.

RACE 6

See You Then is an unraced filly out of 2010 Epsom Handicap winner Captain Sonador’s sister Heavens Touch. She’s another fresh galloper from the Rod Northam camp and meets the same track and trip she trialled over really nicely last week. Looks like a great starting point for her. Straand Care didn’t have the clearest passage on debut but ran OK in a race that’s produced two subsequent winners. He’s a big hope albeit from an awkward wide alley. Cool Space will take plenty of benefit from his first-up assignment and is among the chances again.

Verdict: See You Then to win.

RACE 7

Apache Jack has placed in seven of his 15 starts to date and is still chasing that hard-earned breakthrough. He gets his chance on the seven-day back up here after doing his best work late to finish third over 1400m at Scone last week. Tipping he can get back and be strong late. Major Look finds the easiest maiden he’s faced in eight starts. The inside draw should help his cause. Bullfighter can produce a much improved display on firmer footing than he faced last time.

Verdict: Apache Jack each-way.

RACE 8

Tea And Coffee could have owners reaching for the champagne after the last. The son of super sire Snitzel is racing consistently and his racing pattern should have him right in this. He will go forward from barrier two and give them something to catch with star hoop Aaron Bullock aboard. If they go too hard in front, it will bring Wandjad into the equation. He’s drawn wide but has shown he’s got a great finishing burst. Upwardly Mobile is one of the more progressive gallopers in the field and deserves respect.

Verdict: Tea And Coffee to win, saver Wandjad.

Originally published as Best bets, Inside Mail for Scone on Thursday