Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Scone

Following a solid first-up effort when runner-up, a Kris Lees-trained gelding can go one better. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Form analyst Matt Jones is keen on a lightly-raced son of a Group 1-winning mare to notch his second career win when he heads to 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!

SCONE

BEST BET

Race 8, No.2: SAMMY

He’s by Medaglia D’oro out of Samantha Miss so there’s a lot to live up to on the track for him and he looks well placed to win second-up off a good fresh effort.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.2: ALIGHT THE NIGHT

She was great to watch after coming from off the speed on debut at Tamworth over 1400m and it just sets up so well for the mile now.

VALUE BET

Race 6, No.6: LO LO LONHRO

He’s got barrier three on debut which is key and trialled up well enough behind Hilal who was Group 1 placed in the autumn. He’s is also trained by Chris Waller.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3

Race 6: 6, 11, 13

Race 7: 2, 5, 9, 10

Race 8: 1, 2, 5

Christian Reith has a number of good rides at Scone on Friday. Picture: Grant Guy

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Christian Reith has a few good chances at with a good-looking start to the day on Lake Tana, then he rides Narrated, Rebel County and Australian debutant Jack Duggan.

TRAINER TO WATCH

Nathan Doyle can win the first and third races with Don’t Doubt Katie and Alight The Night.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR SCONE

RACE 1

You don’t go to a Group 3 Breeders Plate if you don’t impress early and that’s what Retiro was for Gary Portelli. He’s going to sit on the speed and if he doesn’t over-race, he’ll be there in the finish in a much easier race than he’s used to. Don’t Doubt Katie didn’t get the clearest of passages in the straight on debut but still looked strong on the line and she’ll get the dream run in transit from the gate. Lake Tana put in two winning trials this time in and looked especially good at her latest and she can sit in behind a hot speed here and make a run at them.

Bet: Don’t Doubt Katie to win

RACE 2

Narrated goes straight up to 1700m now third-up off two 1400m runs on heavy ground. She won fresh then couldn’t go on with it second-up but should be suited better on Thursday and will probably lead them into the straight. That’s if Mantinello doesn’t fight for the front. He finds an easier race here after being no match for an in-form runner at the provincials last time out. Daysan is having his Australian debut and he ran third fresh over 2012m in Europe and trialled like he needed this trip straight away. Flash Panther is an improver after a run.

Bet: Quinella 7, 2

RACE 3

Alight The Night fought hard on debut but just couldn’t reel in the leader over 1400m. She’s no doubt going to be better at a mile now and she stalks them from a good barrier. Trojan Hero ran into an in-form horse at Wyong last time and should shape up well here even if he was a $61 chance at Newcastle two runs back. Does he want further though? These are the two lightly-raced ones to look at. Front Row Ticket has been knocking on the door for a while now and has raced well at his home track from his only two attempts on it.

Bet: Alight The Night to win

Ashley Morgan rides Alight The Night for trainer Nathan Doyle.

RACE 4

Unrelenting will probably try and lead this all the way and if he gets things to himself, he’ll be hard to run down on a more spacious track like he did three runs back over 1500m at Kembla Grange. McNair has won two of his past three but will need to improve to win again after some good performances in lesser grade. It’s hard to knock winning form though and he has it unlike most of these. Controlthewitness gets in with a winnable weight and he has many ratings points on these and gets back on to a drier track which suits after two heavy runs.

Bet: Unrelenting to win

RACE 5

Bourbon Flyer goes around over 900m for the first time and it will be interesting to see if he has the gate speed over this trip to lead them. He got to a Group 3 race at his first preparation so the class edge is there as in the weight be has to lug. Capital Reign will be able to lead them if he wants to and my guess is he will be more than glad to give them something to chase. Havin’ Fun may have only won once from 16 starts but she went very close in town on a number of occasions. This might be too short for her.

Bet: Exacta 1, 3

RACE 6

You don’t see too many Chris Waller horses coming out to Scone but he is Lo Lo Lonhro who was scratched from a midweek race on Wednesday for the better barrier here. The lead up trial looked comfortable in behind a horse that’s got to a Group 1 in the autumn. Texan Windstorm goes straight to 1200m first-up which is a good move after he found 1000m too short when produced fresh last time in. Mascherata looked the goods in her trial and off that, the wide gate shouldn’t matter too much because she’s proved that she can be ridden quiet and explode late. In The Blink has been in high class races to date and not been disgraced.

Bet: Lo Lo Lonhro to win

Chris Waller has called on Lee Magorrian to partner debutant Lo Lo Lonhro. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

RACE 7

Artie’s Aura let the punters down when losing as a $1.90 hope at Mudgee in February but her trial form and first-up second here a fortnight ago should give them confidence. She can get a smother from the barrier and pounce late. On Her word is back to the bush after doing well without winning at the provincials and in town. The form suggests she can win here if she holds it. Kickatorp looked gone on debut be rallied late to win over 1000m so the 1200m is a natural race for him now and the drier track should be fine.

Bet: On Her Word to win

RACE 8

The day’s best-bred horse, Sammy, steps out in the last event and 1400m second-up is ideal. He’s into behind horses like Peltzer, Kiku and Prime Star and that quality isn’t here. Ita is the natural challenger after having just missed out first-up at Goulburn and she gets a soft track for the first time which might be her sweet spot. Cheeky Nugget has come back in top fashion but did go down at Cowra, just, after a provincial win fresh. He can bounce back no doubt. Jack Duggan has Group form in Ireland.

Bet: Sammy to win

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