Ray Thomas’s tips, inside mail for Scone, Albury on Thursday

Ray Thomas analyses the Thursday NSW meetings at Scone and Albury, presenting his best bets plus jockey and trainer to follow.

The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Sunshine Law is Ray Thomas's best bet of the day at Scone on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas analyses the Thursday NSW meetings at Scone and Albury, presenting his best bets plus jockey and trainer to follow.

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SCONE TIPS

BEST BET
Race 5 No.2 SUNSHINE LAW
Did things wrong in blinkers last start but they have been removed for Scone. Smart filly and this is her chance to win her maiden.

VALUE
Race 7 No.6 CRIMSON BONNET
Has a very consistent record, she makes her own luck racing on speed and will take catching at each way odds.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 1,2,3
Race 6: 1,2,6,8
Race 7: 1,2,6,8
Race 8: 1,2,3

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Adam Hyeronimus has four very competitive rides at Scone – Jack Duggan (race 2), Mostro (race 3), Wizard’s Star (race 6) and Southern Charm (race 7).

TRAINER TO FOLLOW
Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald have a powerful entry for Scone including Sunshine Law and Parkrun (race 5), first starter Davikar (race 6) and Zouprince (race 8).

SCONE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: Maiden Plate (1200m)

KOIOS (1) was placed at both provincial starts at his debut preparation then resumed with a very game effort when beaten less than a half length into fourth at Kensington. Koios was three wide without cover throughout that race but still loomed up to win inside the final 100m only to lose narrowly. Fitter for that run and this is easier. Ready to win. COGITARE (2) was a different horse in blinkers when winning a Scone barrier trial by a widening margin recently. He’s one to watch on debut. STAR VENTURE (8) won a barrier trial nicely since a good second at Muswellbrook and is improving with racing. SHARE THE JOY (4) is well placed here.

BET: KOIOS (1) to win.

RACE 2: Benchmark 64 (2200m)

THINK WE’RE THERE (3) is over the odds. He finally broke through at Newcastle last start when he burst between runners and sprinted clear to win comfortably. BALMIERRO (5) was held up for a run at the top of the straight but when finally clear he ran on well for fifth at Newcastle. He’s at his peak after three runs from a spell. JACK DUGGAN (2) wasn’t suited by the soft track conditions last start but his previous form was good and he gets back onto a firm surface here. STORM PARK (8) is lightly raced but shows promise and should be in the mix.

BET: THINK WE’RE THERE (3) to win, watch betting moves for BALMIERRO (5).

RACE 3: Class 1 Handicap (1600m)

MOSTRO (2) was in need of the run first-up but closed off his race nicely when fifth at Newcastle. He led and dominated to win at Wyong second-up when last in work and getting out to 1600m suits. Mostro rates highly in a competitive race. CHEERGAL (3) is the main danger. She won her maiden last winter before going for a spell and has returned with successive placings at Muswellbrook and Newcastle. She will go close. MONTY BE QUICK (5) led for a long way at Wyong and is nearing a win. MERCHANT GOLD (4) is a lightly-raced improver.

BET: Box trifecta 2,3,4,5.

RACE 4: Benchmark 64 (1000m)

DRUMS OF WAR (3), a son of US triple crown winner American Pharoah, was narrowly beaten over 900m at Newcastle then wasn’t suited on the soft surface last start. He’s drawn well, will appreciate the drier surface and should go close. APACHE BREEZE (2) finished powerfully to win at Newcastle then couldn’t get into the race at Canterbury. The bigger Scone track is more to his liking and he is worth another chance. SINGING STAR (5) is a speedy filly who has been freshened since finishing third at Dubbo early in December but she looked sharp in a recent Wyong barrier trial. MR TRACKSIDE (9) is working his way into form.

BET: DRUMS OF WAR (3) to win, watch betting moves for Singing Star.

RACE 5: Maiden Handicap (1600m)

SUNSHINE LAW (2) was runner-up in four of her five starts including a narrow loss at Warwick Farm before blinkers were added at Kensington when she ran only fifth as favourite. She drifted wide on the turn and became unbalanced last start but it is significant the blinkers have been removed for Scone. GREAT BRAZEN (1) was very good on debut and was closing late on Triskele at Newcastle. He will be very competitive here. PARKRUN (3) ran on from well back on the turn to finish a close second to Dale at Tamworth. Dale has won again since to frank the form. GRANDINI (8) wasn’t far away at Tamworth behind Dale and must be included among the main chances.

BET: SUNSHINE LAW (2) to win.

RACE 6: Super Maiden Handicap (1000m)

HONEY PERFUME (6) ran a game second in a Hawkesbury maiden at just her second start back in August and resumes here off a strong Warwick Farm barrier trial win two weeks ago. Drawn the rails barrier and gets in well after the claim. DAVIKAR (8) is a well-bred filly who has been trialling well. She was never let go when winning a Scone trial recently and will make her presence felt on debut. INSPIRED STAR (2) is an unraced son of super sire Zoustar who shaped promisingly winning a Rosehill barrier trial two weeks ago. NEW PHAROAH (1) has been placed in three of his five starts but is resuming after a long spell.

BET: HONEY PERFUME (6) to win, watch betting moves for DAVIKAR (8).

RACE 7: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 64 (1100m)

This is a competitive race but CRIMSON BONNET (6) at each way odds will run her usual honest race. She is working up to a win after three successive placings since resuming including her second at Gunnedah last start. She has drawn wide but has early tactical speed and will be in this contest for a long way. SOUTHERN CHARM (2) was a Warwick Farm 1100m winner when last in work and is resuming off a long spell after two solid barrier trials. She will be hard to beat. ROSE WATER (8) showed promise in her debut preparation and is one to watch. COSY CORNER (1) is very fit and capable of running an improved race.

BET: CRIMSON BONNET (6) each way, box trifecta 1,2,6,8.

RACE 8: Colts, Horses & Geldings Benchmark 64 (1100m)

REMLAPS COMMANDER (2) is resuming after a 20-month spell but he’s a very smart sprinter with three wins from five starts. He’s had two recent barrier trials to prepare for his comeback and there was a lot to like about the way he closed off behind the talented Compelling Truth when the duo broke clear of the chasing pack in a recent Scone barrier trial. OUTBACK RINGER (3) finished his race off strongly at Grafton when resuming and will be improved. ZOUPRINCE (1) has his share of weight but he’s very fit and racing well. BEND THE KNEE (5) is resuming but he looked good winning a Hawkesbury barrier trial.

BET: REMLAPS COMMANDER (2) to win.

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ALBURY TIPS

BEST BET
Race 3 No.7 COOEE
Had a big weight when resuming and although he lost his unbeaten record he didn’t lose any admirers with his close third. He drops 2.5kg, drawn the rails, and will be improved by that run.

NEXT BEST
Race 6 No.3 HELLUVA TEEN
Has led throughout to score good wins in fast time at Orange and Cowra. Emerging filly who will be tough to run down.