With eight winners (16%) and a further 15 placings (46%) from her past 50 runners, Albury-based trainer Donna Scott is one of the more consistent conditioners in her region.
The Newhaven Park Country Championships qualifying heat takes place on her home surface this Saturday, and the stable could have upwards of five contenders for the $150,000 event.
First cab off the rank is her Nicconi mare Clever Art, who comes into this race on the back of a handy third in a Randwick Midway earlier this month.
“She had that race in Sydney, it was a great run up there. Couldn’t have been happier with how she went,” Scott told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday morning.
“It was just a little top off for her and she’s come home and she’s really done well. She looks sensational in the coat.
“She never does anything too spectacular on the training track, she just conserves herself. But I was really happy with her work this morning.”
Honest Magnus gelding Gusonic is another trying to get through to the $500,000 final to be held at Royal Randwick on April 1, and Scott has been given a confidence boost by one of Sydney’s leading hoops.
“Tim Clark rode him the other day in Sydney, he’d won two races on him, and he reckons he’s come back better this prep than last prep so that was great to hear,” Scott said.
“He’s a horse that goes to the front, so hopefully we can draw in close to the fence with him come Saturday.”
Another Magnus gelding Our Last Cash is also vying for a top two qualification spot and Scott explained that despite him having a rough start to life she’s always had a high opinion.
“He lost his mum when he was two weeks old so he was fed out of a bucket. I say he probably needs to see a counsellor if he could,” Scott quipped.
“He’s got the potential to be better than his brother (Lord Von Costa) who won a couple of Listed races, but it’s the mental side with him.
“He gets a little bit stirred up, but if he doesn’t get too above himself hopefully he leaves enough energy for the race.”
Hallowed Crown six-year-old La Sante has been a model of consistency since arriving at the Scott barn, picking up three races and never finishing further back than fifth in 11 outings for the stable. With restrictions on the number of runs allowed before entering the Country Championships qualifier, Scott has had to plan his preparation to the minute.
“It was great to see him win the other day, we haven’t done anything since that win because obviously he can’t have another start,” Scott said.
“He’s a bit like Gusonic, male war horses, they’ve been around a long time. They know the pressure (and) he’s in with a great chance as well.”
Rounding out the Scott handful is the lightly raced Snap Book, who is touch and go at making the final field. The Fighting Song four-year-old has made a promising start to the career, winning two or four races to date.
“He’s definitely a horse that wants a bit further, but this race comes around once a year,” Scott said.
“If we can get in the field we’ll definitely be running in it.”
It’s a key race meeting for local trainers and Scott is of the opinion that it rivals Albury Gold Cup week, which takes place next month.
“We have our Albury carnival, but for our stable this is our big day of the year,”
“We’ve got a fair few owners coming and hopefully the weather looks like it’s going to be great, so looking forward to the day.”
