Track heavy 9 and rail out 5m.
Race 1
7. Hard Rattle is a provincial mare well placed in a very moderate maiden to finally break through fifth-up and four weeks between runs. Has shown steady improvement this prep, sticking on into a place at Wellington last start, and her best form is on rain-affected ground. Was scratched from Narromine on Sunday to be saved for this. 5. Usain Boss is an expensive metropolitan-based three-year-old which did nothing from the back when resuming for only his third start on the Kensington track, but given six weeks between runs with more education, and drops significantly in quality with gear changes in play. 2. Bonoyster hasn’t done much this prep, but will appreciate a thinner race, and is very fit deep into the prep. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Hard Rattle to win.
Race 2
1. Empress Tsarina is a consistent and honest mare ready to break through and cap an encouraging first prep. Was placed in three consecutive races early in the campaign against better provincial opposition before a let-up, then failed to fire on a shifty track at Muswellbrook. Again battled away just 13 days ago when dropping back to 1000m, but this is a far more suitable trip where she can be ridden a little quieter and get to the outside. 5. Wanavan is an improver, also well credentialled to win this fourth-up, but has to get over from an outside barrier. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but include local mare 4. Rockadeel, improving into her second start, 6. Alchemia, resuming off two trials, and 14. Torquin, which finds a weak race third-up, in all exotic plays.
How to play it: Empress Tsarina to win.
There are seven races on the card at Scone on Monday.Credit: Jenny Evans
Race 3
1. Blue Kingdom is a home-tracker primed to break through at his fourth start. Hit the line nicely on debut at Taree before covering ground at Dubbo, but still worked to the line nicely a more-than- handy maiden. Suited getting up to the mile, leading jockey sticks, and right at home on soft and heavy tracks. 4. Keep safe 4. Fantastic Beast, which has mixed his form this prep, but didn’t have a lot of luck in a useful Class 1 last start over further, and the drop in trip is key. 14. Redaluca Girl is trained on the course and reloads a month between runs via a nice trial win. 11. Pathelia, drawn wide but an improver in a thinner race, and at big odds 8. Twenty Four Guns, freshened up with blinkers coming off, can both run into the minor money.