17/5/2025 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Scone, Dark Jewel Classic day

The two day Scone Carnival wraps up on Saturday, headlined by the Dark Jewel Classic. The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is out two metres from the 800m-400m; True for the remainder.

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6 General Soho (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is flying for Paul Perry and is one of the leading contenders after a win at Newcastle two weeks ago, giving them a start and a beating, defying the late betting drift. Truly run 1700m should be fine and the class/depth rise is no issue IMO.

5 Jumeriah Beach (Bet Now:  $SP.00) commands respect for Jason Deamer after his Midway win a fortnight back at Hawkesbury. He had no right to win given where he was in the run and the checks he copped but he produced a brilliant finale to win and win well. 1700m no issue and is one of the hardest to beat.

2 Caamguey (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is in with a shout for Kim Waugh. He resumed in the Midway two weeks back won by Jumeriah Beach. He got back to near last in the run and while he was never a winning threat, he did make up headway and was pretty good in defeat. Firmer deck and in well after the claim, he is in the mix.

Keen to be with 10 Due Calzini (Bet Now:  $SP.00). He comes through the Wagga Guineas where he got off speed but tracked up, presented wider and loomed to win but just found one better in Dupli Kate in a tight finish. He’s racing super and will eat up a strong mile here.

6 Feathertop (Bet Now:  $SP.00) His last two starts in Queensland this preparation have been good. This isn’t the strongest of races so I think it will stack up against this field. Drawn wide but on a soft track im not sure that will be too much of a disadvantage with his running pattern. Hard to hold out late.

1 Tainui (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has done little wrong in a six start career and has earned a crack at Highway grade after an all the way win over 2100m at Tamworth when leading throughout and he gave nothing else a look in to win and win well. Back in trip I find interesting but he’s very progressive.

2 Akaysha (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is three weeks between runs for Peter Snowden since racing at Randwick where she got into a decent spot off the speed and she tried hard but just couldn’t quite see it through, feeling the pinch late behind Grand Eagle. Good racing style, fillies grade, she appeals.

5 Rainbow Glow (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Bjorn Baker trained filly that is first up. This girl hasn’t raced since the Gold Pearl on Magic Millions Eve at the Gold Coast where she ran midfield behind La Bella Boom. Given a good break and her trial work to get ready has been more than encouraging.

8 Be Sharp (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Rod Northam trained filly that resumes. She debuted on her home deck here back on Jan 30 when off speed and worked home strongly when second. Resumes without a public trial but first up on the home track, big day, you’d assume she’s ready to go.

5 Oh Diamond Lil (Bet Now:  $SP.00) on top for me. David Pfieffer trained mare that resumes, having not raced since a Midway win over the Randwick mile back on Feb 8 when leading throughout and class kicked in late to score. Trial work has been great, kind map, she takes beating.

6 Invader Zim (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is an improver for Chris Waller. He resumed three weeks back over 1200m at Randwick when off speed and presented wider to win but first up, condition just gave way late in the piece behind stablemate Step Aside. Fitter and up in trip, he appeals.

9 Mickey’s Medal (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes back to 1300m after racing over 1400m a few weeks back at Randwick. He got off speed and while he was never a winning threat, he found the line and was pretty good in defeat. Like him back in trip, he’s a knockout hope.

14 Good Banter (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is in for a good prep and the rise to 1700m suits after resuming over the mile three weeks ago at Randwick where she got back to near last in the run and was a real eye catcher late in the piece behind Know Thyself, who is flying and won again last weekend to frank the form. Hard to beat.

2 Miracle Spin (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is hard to beat after racing over 1800m three weeks ago at Randwick when off speed and in a slowly run race, he was never really a winning threat, but was good late in the piece behind Les Vampires. He won the Midway over this track/distance two years ago so he likes it here and the form around him reads well.

9 Kind Words (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is in with a shout for Kris Lees. She ran behind Know Thyself at Randwick three weeks back where she got into a decent spot off the speed and she tried hard but just couldn’t quite see it through. Depth here not as deep, she’s in the mix.

7 Dollar Magic (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has home track advantage and was a super winner of this race last year. I think she’s ready to go for a first up win. She hasn’t raced since Jan 11 at Wyong when off speed and worked home strongly but couldn’t quite get there when second to Bonita Queen. She goes very well fresh and her trial work to get ready has been strong.

6 Zealously (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has been strong in two runs back from a spell and is knocking on the door. He ran a few weeks back at Randwick and tried hard but just couldn’t quite get there behind Miss Icelandic. Better run in transit, he can win.

9 Unstopabull (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a son of Russian Revolution for Chris Waller that resumes. He is first up, having not raced since Feb 8 at Randwick when racing over 1200m and was good late without threatening behind Romeo’s Choice. Just one soft trial but flies fresh and will be strong late.

12 Thames (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is four weeks betweem runs for James Cummings since racing on Mornington Cup Day when off speed and kept chasing with purpose in the straight behind Bridal Waltz. Liked her finale in a tick over trial last week and the stable do love that platform into a Stakes race, especially with a filly.

6 Soft Love… (Bet Now:  $SP.00) beware the unbeaten horse. 3/3 to start her career, the latest win being at Caulfield a few weeks ago where she got better as the race went on and was impressive in winning. She ran the 1200m quite comfortably there and off the back of a sharp trial, she takes beating.

18 Lady Olenna (Bet Now:  $SP.00) I am surprised she has opened at such a big price. Her three career starts have all been good, she has won on the track before and she will make her own luck being up on the pace. From a good stable that will have her ready to go in the race. A good each way change in an open field.

14 Fire Star (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has to be given another look. I was keen on him in the Gold Rush at Hawkesbury but after being tardy away, he got back to last, nearer the inside, and was never a factor when down the track. His best is clearly good enough so don’t dismiss him.

6 Pisanello (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is several weeks between runs for James Cummings since a win at Canterbury where he gave them a start and a beating, with class kicking in late to win and win well. Tick over trial was strong and despite the wide gate, he appeals.

5 Mnementh (Bet Now:  $SP.00) will jump on the bunny and run a positive race I am sure, as seen in the Gold Rush when first up. He attempted to lead throughout and he gave a solid kick from the front but first up, condition just gave way late in the piece. He’ll run very well I am sure.

Some of these may have tired legs from recent racing on wet tracks, whereas the local hope 8 Melody Again (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has fresh legs after breaking the track record with 62kg first up at Dubbo. Massive win when watching the replay, with the market saying she wasn’t there to play. She has returned outstanding and great to see her have a crack here at blacktype.

12 Countyourblessings (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should appreciate a rise in trip for O’Shea/Charlton after resuming over 1200m at Randwick where she had little luck in behind when seemingly having something to offer. Fitter and up in trip, she had trialled like a bomb leading in…can win.

6 Love Poem (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is an improver at odds. She comes through the Hawkesbury Guineas where she got back to near last in the run and was never really a threat when down the track. Firmer deck this around and her best NZ form is good enough to be dangerous.

11 Whinchat (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks to be ready to go for David Pfieffer. This gelding hasn’t raced since March 16 when a strong winner over 1400m at Rosehill, beating a good horse in Tavi Time. He does fly on the fresh side, latest trial work was sharp, he lands on speed…takes beating.

3 Givemethebeatboys (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is steadily getting better. He looked a camel when he first hit the track but he’s getting better, as seen in the Hall Mark a few weeks ago when off speed and had his chance but he stayed on and was good in defeat behind Mazu. He’s found positive form and he can win.

14 Flying Crazy (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks to be sneaky flying for Team Hawkes. He ran behind Sandpaper a few weeks back at Randwick where he got back to near last in the run and while he was never a winning threat, he did make up ground and was pretty good in defeat. If he can get a drag into the race, he’s dangerous.

BEST BET: Race Five Number 14 Good Banter

NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 6 Due Calzini

LONG SHOT: Race Nine Number 8 Melody Again

Quaddie Tips (Races Seven Through To Ten):

Leg One: 6, 8, 12, 18

Leg Two: 3, 5, 6, 14

Leg Three: 6, 8, 9, 12, 15

Leg Four: 3, 5, 8, 11, 14

$50 Investment = 12.50% of the dividend if successful

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