Australian Racing: Tuesday 1 June – Scone

Best Bet: LAST CHANCE DANCE (Race 4)
Value Bet: A ROOM SOMEWHERE (Race 5)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R90

Race 4

Today’s best bet, LAST CHANCE DANCE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she had her consistency rewarded with a half-length victory last time out over six furlongs. She showed plenty of pace that day, so she should have no problem with the drop in distance here. She will have to negotiate gate eight, but she could prove to be too strong for this line-up.

ISALUTE on the other hand has cracked pole position and took a heavy bump at the start when ending up in seventh place last time out over seven furlongs, 4.8L behind the winner, but the form of that race has stood up well with three runners from that contest subsequently winning. He returns from a 25-week break but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest. He could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

BAIYKA is a 3yr old filly who although recorded as finishing eleventh last time out over six furlongs, was just over two and a half lengths back from the winner and the form of that race has been franked. She returns from a shorter 20-week rest but has won her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being. From draw three, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 5

A ROOM SOMEWHERE is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she has finished second in her last two runs after returning from a 32-week absence, the latest over six furlongs when 0.8L behind the winner. She hit the front at the 300M mark that day and was only run out of it very late. She has a handy draw four and on that last effort, she should appreciate the drop in trip.

TAKETHESHOT had finished second in his last two outings prior to ending up in eighth place last time out over 1100M, just under three lengths adrift of the victor. He did however jump awkwardly and then came five-wide approaching the home straight that day, so should have finished closer to the winner than he eventually did. He has an even better draw two and should be right up there when they hit the line.

SALIRE won by 1.8L over 1100M when making his debut and could be almost anything. He was very green down the straight that day but would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could record a quick double. He has to overcome a wide gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of capturing the spoils, so some caution is suggested. The tentative first pick goes to LASTING GRACE, who is a 4yr old filly taking on boys, but she goes for her hat-trick after wins over seven furlongs and then her latest victory by two lengths over today’s mile journey when returning from a 16-week absence. She was making good late progress that day and should put her pole position to good use.

HIDDEN HILLS is drawn one outside the top choice and won over this c&d three runs back and has then finished third in his next two outings, the latest over 1500M, just over a length back from the winner. He finished strongly that day despite hanging in over the latter stages and should keep the former honest.

SAPPHIRES SON battled all the way down to the wire when ending up in seventh spot last time out over this distance, 2.8L behind the winner. He is drawn in gate seven and has his peak run here after returning from a 19-week break.

Race 7

DAWN FLIGHT is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has solid formlines to her name, winning her last start over seven furlongs by a short-head. She struck the front at the 200M pole that day and then finished off her race strongly. She has her first run since returning from a 20-week break, but she did post a second-place finish in her only barrier trial to prove her fitness. From draw seven, she should give the males a good run for their money.

CHAREADY is also consistent and had that rewarded with his maiden victory by one length last time out over 1300M at this venue. He does take on stronger here, but may well be up to the task at hand, despite facing a wideish draw nine.

MANANGATANG has pulled pole position and finished third over this sprint distance in his penultimate start and then went on to win over the same distance last time out by just under a half-length. He stayed on strongly that day and should be included in all bets.