Neasham and Collett set for strong challenge at Scone meeting
By John Schell
Scone will host a provincial meeting on Tuesday with most of Sydney’s top stables represented.
Annabel Neasham will take a number of runners to the spacious track and has engaged jockey Alysha Collett to partner her leading contenders. Collett and Neasham will link up in the opening event of the day when Bella Corazon contests the Hahn 3.5 2YO Maiden Handicap.
The Annabel Neasham stable will go up against the Kris Lees camp in the Hunter on Monday.Credit: Getty
Bella Corazon ran well in a Blue Diamond Preview for fillies earlier in the year on debut, and since resuming from a spell has finished third in two runs at Canterbury and on the Kensington track.
Neasham and Collett will again combine when final field favourite Vivezza lines up in the Nova Coast Services 3YO Maiden Handicap (1600m), the same event in which stablemate Fire Island is engaged to start with Heavelon Van Der Hoven in the saddle.
Vivezza ran well when placed at Canterbury at its latest start, while Fire Island has only had two starts and ran well on debut at Warwick Farm before failing at Hawkesbury.
Irish import Fernao will be the Neasham-Collett runner in the Temperature Control Central Coast Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1700m), while they will also combine when Machaon runs in the Taste The Coast Food & Wine Festival – Sunday 15 September Maiden Plate (1300m).
Fernao had a win and three placings to his name back home, before debuting for Neasham with a third placing at Canterbury when hitting the line well.
Machaon debuted with a third at Kembla Grange behind Kerguelen when beaten a fair margin, and has since been down the track at Scone at his only other start.
Fernao will face stern opposition in its event against a couple of Kris Lees prepared gallopers, including another Irish import in the shape of Zaphod.
Zaphod won on debut at Tipperary, and finished third at Leopardstown in group 3 grade at its only other start. He’s had two trials since joining the Lees stable.
Lees will also have group 1 placegetter Pier Pressure lining up in the event, with the filly dropping significantly in grade on her latest efforts.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au