Australian racing tips – Monday, 17 February 2025 – Scone

Race 4

ZUCCHERO won his maiden race last time out over 1280M by 1.8L when having his first run for his new trainer and returning from a 50 week spell. He struck the front at the 100M mark to win going away that day and whilst drawn wide in gate ten and taking on stronger here, he may well be up to the task at hand.

GREAT POINT is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won over 1400M three runs back, finished twelfth in her penultimate start over 1600M and then second in her latest outing over this c&d, beaten just a head and the form of that race has been franked. She gets a handy draw two and will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

TAIOAN LEGEND has consistent formlines to his name and followed up his penultimate run victory over 1600M with a fourth place finish next time out over today’s c&d, just over a half length behind the winner, but he was slow away that day and raced three wide without cover when overracing, so he had his excuses. The gelding is drawn the widest of them all in gate eleven, but he will have ex-SA jockey Donovan Dillon in the irons, so he will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. He should also use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 5

There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected.

Of the raced runners, BRILLIANT KNIGHT may well prove to be the best. He came four wide into the home straight, but made good late progress to finish fourth on debut over 1200M, 2.2L back from the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning.

He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could be the one that they all have to beat. The gelding faces a wide gate twelve, but he should be doing his best work late to give the trainer jockey combination of P & L Messara & Gavranich and Aaron Bullock the first two legs of the day’s Jackpot.

A 4yr old and a 3yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to PHAZED who has finished third in two of her last three runs, the latest over 1600M, just under a half length off the winner, but she jumped awkwardly in that event and raced green, before finishing strongly from some way back. She returns from a 24 week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing fourth in the latest.

From her useful draw four, she should be right up there when they hit the line. HINUNE has finished third in her last two outings, the latest over 1400M, just under a half length behind the victor. She turned last into the home straight that day, before delivering a powerful finish over the closing stages. The filly will have to negotiate a wide draw nine, but she should not be lightly dismissed.

Race 6

SIR REMLAP has won three of his five runs to date and finished second in the other two. He goes for his hat-trick after victories over 1100M and the latest over 1200M by 0.8L, despite racing three wide throughout.

The gelding faces a wideish gate eight, but on the plus side he will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

A 4yr old filly and a 5yr old mare could follow him home, with the preference going TORNADO EXPRESS who also goes for her hat-trick after two wins over 1200M, the latest when putting just under four and a half lengths between herself and the opposition.

She came four wide into the home stretch on that occasion, but delivered a strong finish to record a comfortable victory and finished second in a subsequent barrier trial. The filly will have to deal with a wide draw ten, but she will have the services of a 1.5kgs claiming apprentice and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

HELLCIBELL is another who has her hat-trick run after victories over 1100M and the latest over 1200M for a two length win. She has her first run after a lengthy 42 week break, but did win her only barrier trial to showcase her well-being.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, SARATOGA POWER has won two of his last four starts and followed up his penultimate start win over 1000M with a fifth spot finish next time out over the same sprint trip, 1.7L behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center and he was hampered between the 300M and 200M mark. The gelding returns from a 21 week rest, but has finished fourth in his only barrier trial and from a cozy gate three, he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

PLAY MY SONG is a 5yr old mare bumping males who struck the front at the 200M mark to win her last start over 1000M by just under two and a half lengths going away. She has pulled a wide gate nine, but will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

EDGE OF MIDNIGHT has finished second in his last two outings, the latest over 1000M by just a length, but he had to be checked at the 150M pole than day. His connections laid an objection against the winner for that infringement, but his was overruled and the original result was allowed to stand. The gelding jumps from a wide draw eleven, but with better luck in running he could chalk up his third career victory.