Stradbroke Handicap ambitions will go on the line for Pureness in the Listed Scone Cup on Friday.
Gai Waterhouse said the $175,000 feature over 1600 metres on the first of the two-day Scone racing carnival would determine whether the talented gelding warranted a trip to Brisbane for the $1 million Stradbroke (1400m) on June 11.
“I’ve got Pureness going to Scone and he’ll be very competitive in the Cup,” Waterhouse said.
“He may go up for the Stradbroke. If he runs competitively on Saturday, he’s nominated for the Stradbroke.”
A full field of 16 plus four emergencies was declared for the Scone Cup on Wednesday including last year’s winner Keepin’ The Dream and last year’s Scone Inglis Guineas winner Star Of Octagonal.
Newton’s Rings, winner of the Scone Cup three years ago, is fourth emergency while 2010 placegetters Snow Alert (2nd) and Tagus (3rd) are also returning to the Hunter Valley track for the Cup.
The Lee Freedman-trained Fanjura was installed the $6 favourite just ahead of Pureness at $7 with Hidden Wonder, Snow Alert and the in-form Keepin’ The Dream at $9.50 in TAB Sportsbet’s first markets.
Pureness, who has drawn barrier 10 with Nash Rawiller to ride, led the field up in the Rowley Mile (1600m) last start at Hawkesbury before holding on in the straight for third.
He will be one of three Waterhouse-trained runners competing at Scone with progressive stayer Tullamore also out to confirm Brisbane plans in Saturday’s Benchmark-75 Handicap over 2200m.
Tullamore scored a tough win over 2250m at Hawkesbury last start and is being aimed at the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m).
“He’ll go to the McKell Cup after Saturday if he runs well and then he’ll go on to the Brisbane Cup,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s improving and I’m very pleased with him.”
Pureness is currently at $31 in TAB Sportsbet’s Stradbroke market.
Three-year-old Sincero, who runs in Saturday’s Scone Inglis Guineas, is the $4.80 Stradbroke favourite.
AAP TURF
