SCONE PREVIEW with Chris Scholtz – May 18

Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the rich feature meeting at Scone on May 18 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

SCONE May 18

TRACK RATING: Soft 6; RAIL: 3 metres 800m to WP

Best Bets

RACE 4 – (8) UNUSUAL LEGACY: This NZ-bred 4YO could be a future staying star for leading stable. He’s already won three of his first five starts up to 1900m and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his strong first-up fourth in this class over 1500m at Rosehill when he worked impressively through the line.  Should appreciate this trip on the spacious track.

RACE 6 – (5) COMMEMORATIVE: Has the talent to match her big frame with the best still ahead of her. Won well first-up before she struck traffic problems in a strong G3 PJ Bell over 1200m at the Randwick carnival. Easy hitout in a recent trial has her primed for this with a wide draw on this big track a favourable set up for her in what will be a fast run race.

RACE 7 – (5) HARD TO SAY: Multiple Group placegetter was rewarded for his consistency with a classy win over this trip under 59.5kg at Rosehill three weeks ago and will strip a very fit sprinter in his bid make it back to back wins. Has recorded four of his seven wins over this distance his rider will have plenty of options from his low draw.

Selections

RACE 1: (8) SMART LEGEND; (12) Karmazone; (1) Danish Prince; (7) Olympic Theatre

RACE 2: (3) ONE BEAT NO BEAT; (14) Magic Pharoah; (1) Rematch; (11) Torovista

RACE 3: (1) TOQUE; (10) Let’s Go Barbie; (3) Lazzura; (5) Graceful Artist

RACE 4: (8) UNUSUAL LEGACY; (11) Tajawal; (14) Decadent Tale; (7) Perfect Play

RACE 5: (16) DEMIANA; (17) Yiska; (18) Need Some Luck; (8) Jewellery

RACE 6: (5) COMMEMORATIVE; (14) Spring Lee; (13) Martini Mumma; (9) Queen Of The Mile

RACE 7: (5) HARD TO SAY; (15) Iowna Merc; (1) Insurrection; (3) Spacewalk

RACE 8: (11) BANANA QUEEN; (5) Shadows Of Love; (6) Short Shorts; (13) Fall For Cindy

RACE 9: (12) COASTWATCH; (1) Amenable; (9) Gravina; (14) Jimmysstar

RACE 10: (8) JEDIBEEL; (7) Legio Ten; (16) Cigar Flick; (17) Disneck

Why They Can Win…..

RACE 1 – (8) SMART LEGEND: Six minor placings from last seven starts. Surely this is his chance with the benefit of an allowance.

RACE 2 – (3) ONE BEAT NO BEAT: Improving filly ran out the distance easily at Muswellbrook. Can go on with it.

RACE 3 – (1) TOQUE: Dictated from the front for easy first-up win at Canterbury. Another smart one for top 2YO stable.

RACE 5 – (16) DEMIANA: No luck when resuming. Fitter and good credentials for this class. Value play of the day.

RACE 8: (11) BANANA QUEEN: Peaked on her run first-up. Sure to appreciate 5kg weight drop against similar opposition.

RACE 9: (12) COASTWATCH: G2 winner close to his best. Well placed to improve with big drop in weight.

RACE 10 – (8) JEDIBEEL: Justified heavy support winning first-up. Has come up well and ample speed in this field will suit from his good draw.

TRIAL WATCH and BLACKBOOK REPORTS – May 18

Track Watch and Blackbook Reports from Chris Scholtz for meetings on May 18.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – May 17-18

SCONE SATURDAY: Aroha Stone (R3); Need Some Luck (R5);Commemorative (R6); Zia (R6); Insurrection (R7); Bacchanalia (R7); With Your Blessing (R7); Iowna Merc (R7); Legio Ten (R10); Junqueira (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Kerguelen (R4); Turned Down (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Miraval Rose (R3); Mazu (R8); Stefi Magnetica (R8)

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM May 7 (Polytrack): As always it’s hard to read a lot into poly but this session served the purpose for the likes of MAZU,as he prepares for the Brisbane carnival. He was working well within himself for fourth in the fastest open heat over 740m. The heat winners to make an impression included the previously noted KERGUELEN (44.33; 33.54).

RANDWICK April 30: A strong session that will produce good winter winners.Promising Rubick 3YO NEED SOME LUCK has been off the scene since October but is set to make up for lost time judging by his impressive fourth in a strong 1050m heat won by the classy INSURRECTION in fast time (61.94; 33.72). This was his second trial since returning to work and his strong work through the line under no pressure augers well for his immediate prospects.

WARWICK FARM April 26: Nice conditioning trialsfrom the G1 performer NUGGET and BACCHANALIA, who was a strong winner of his 801m heat (47.48; 33.50) in his first trial for his new trainer Richard Litt.

CANTERBURY April 19: IOWNA MERC had his first trial since December and you wouldn’t see a better piece of work from a sprinter preparing for a winter campaign. Settled at the rear before peeling to the outside at the 400m and letting down with a super turn of foot to run past his rivals with ease and cruise through the line more than two lengths clear in the fastest of the five 905m heats (55.41; 35.55). Impressive work from another good sprinter INSURRECTION, leading his 905m heat (55.93; 35.44) under a big hold and working easily to the line to win with plenty in reserve.

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Bat Out Of Hell; Setombe; Unleeshing; Navy Blood; Pink Baroque; Be Real; Glenbower; Clean Energy; Emirate; Zoe’s Promise; Contemporary; Rise Of The Masses; Parisal; Graceful Artist; Lizzie’s Gem; Spring Lee; Waterford; Highlights; Ikasara; Redbreast; Jedibeel; Call Me Gorgeous; Battle Of Vienna; Perfumist; Overpass

BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – May 17-18

SCONE FRIDAY: Nugget (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Bittercreek (R6); Bosustow (R6); El Morzillo (R6); I Wish I Win (R8); Stefi Magnetica (R8); Tannhauser (R9); Point Lockroy (R9); Chica Mojito (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Euphoric (R2); Wakanjeja (R3); Scully (R4); Mnementh (R7); Nicolini Vito (R7); Lionel (R8); Galeron (R9); Riyazan (R9)

SCONE SATURDAY: Unusual Legacy (R4); Midnight Opal (R5); Ivan’s Hero (R5); Iowna Merc (R7); Manhood (R7/R10); Mnemneth (R9)

BELMONT SATURDAY: Generosity (R5)

SUNSHINE COAST SUNDAY: Zoular (R7)

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected May 11

(Follow for next 3 starts)

ARQANA (Melbourne): Worked home in good style.

CRACKERJACK PRINCE (Melbourne): Will find something to suit over longer.

ESTADIO MESTALLA (Sydney): Will be placed in suitable races through the winter months.

PIGGYBACK (Sydney): Looking for more ground.

YELLOW BRICK (Brisbane): Tough run. Sure to be fitter.

ZOULAR (Brisbane): Watch for this one in a maiden!

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Shock Em Ova; Hezashocka; Let’sbefrankbaby; Hollywood Hero; Skybird; Seonee; Tojaki; Quothquan; Circle Of Fire; Miss Joelene; Terra Mater; He’s Our Bonneval; Riff Rocket; Elettrica; Strawberry Rock; Fearless; Commemorative; Illative; Etna Rosso; Pasima; Sir Atlas; Territory Express