Australian racing tips – Friday 21 March 2025 – Scone

Race 5

This looks like a tricky race to start off the day’s Jackpot with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. LEOVANNI is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had three runs to date, finishing third in her penultimate start over 1200M and second last time out over 1400M, just a neck behind the winner. She overraced in the early and middle stages that day and then came four wide into the home straight. The form of that race has, however, been franked and although drawn wideish in gate eight, she will be having her peak run after returning from a 25 week break and could be the one that they all have to beat.

ZOOMORPHIC has finished second in his last two starts, the latest over 1400M, beaten just a head. He struck the front at the top of the home straight in that event, only to be grabbed in the shadow of the post. The gelding is drawn one outside the top pick and will be having his peak run after returning from a shorter 17 week rest.

SMART BUY is another 3yr old filly in the race. She has had just two outings, finishing eighth first time out over 1200M and then second in his next start over 1300M, 0.8L back from the victor. She would have come on further with that run under her belt and she gets cheek pieces fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, she should be a big runner here, jumping from gate five.

Race 6

ZUCCHERO missed out on his hat-trick after victories over 1280M and 1600M when finishing sixth last time out over 1800M, 5.3L behind the winner, but he had to be checked at the 1600M mark and then again at the 250m pole, so a line can be drawn through that effort. He has pulled the widest gate of them all in thirteen, but he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to ALPINE KANDY who won over 2200M three runs back, finished seventh in her penultimate start over 2000M and then second in her latest outing over 1600M, 1.3L behind the winner, when returning from a 20 week break. She gets a handy draw four and should be right up there when they hit the line.

UPWARDLY MOBILE also won three runs back, but in her case over 1200M, finished second in her penultimate start over the same sprint trip and then fifth in her latest outing, also over 1200M, 2.2L behind the winner, but she raced three wide approaching the home turn and was only run out of it late. The filly has pulled an even better gate two and should be included in all bets.

Race 7

The day’s value bet RITZSUN had consistent form lines to his credit prior to being a tad disappointing when ending up in nineth spot last time out over 1200M, 4.7L off the winner, but that was at a stronger center and he did come four wide into the home straight, before chasing hard all the way down to the wire. The gelding faces a wide draw ten, but he should be doing his best work late.

A 3yr old and a 4yr old filly could pursuit him home, but SHOW BUSINESS may prove to be the better. She won over 1000M first time out, albeit by just a head, notwithstanding hanging in from the 200M mark. She would have learnt from that experience and although taking on stronger here, she may well be up to the task at hand.

RED RAGS TO BULLS followed up her penultimate run victory over 1500M with a third place finish next time out over 1400M, 1.2L back from the winner, but she did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 250M mark before finishing her race off well. The filly returns from a 28 week rest, but has finished sixth in her only barrier trial and from her cozy draw two, she should not be easily overlooked.

Race 8

KNOW THYSELF has had six runs, posting three wins, one second and a third place finish, so he has clearly got some ability and was returning from a 34 week spell when finishing fifth last time out over 1400M, just over two lengths off the winner. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw eleven, but nevertheless he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card to give the trainer/jockey combination of P & L Messara & Gavranich and Aaron Bullock a double in the day’s Jackpot, should the top choice win the second leg.

LUBRICATION has finished third in his last two runs since returning from a 22 week break, the latest over 1400M, 2.8L behind the winner, but it should be noted that he was trapped four wide without cover in that event. Nonetheless, the form of that race has been franked and from one gate inside the top pick, he could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice.

TORNADO EXPRESS is a 4yr old filly bumping males and came four wide into the home straight when ending up in fourth place last time out over 1400M, two lengths adrift of the victor. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for today’s run and if these have the anticipated result, she should make her presence felt.