Ray and Duff’s Scone tips, race-by-race analysis for Saturday: $5 value bet

DUFF’S BEST BET

Race 4 No.8 UNUSUAL LEGACY

DUFF’S NEXT BEST

Race 8 No.1 RUTHLESS DAME

R1: Midway Handicap (1700m)

Ron Dufficy: I am leaning to SMART LEGEND (8) here. I just feel the form around him these past two starts is pretty strong with horses that have beaten him (Speycaster, For Victory) coming out and winning again and he fits in nicely here with the claim. The claim really helps DANISH PRINCE (1) in this grade and he just never runs a bad race. KARMAZONE (12) is a good longshot. He has some nice second-up form and it was a hidden run first-up. MAGNATEAR (4) showed good fight winning last start and can go on with it.

Ray Thomas: DANISH PRINCE (1) came back slightly in distance to 1500m and had to do a bit of work early to get over from a wide barrier before a game fourth in Always Sure’s Midway at Hawkesbury. At his previous start, Danish Prince worked home strongly to just miss in the Wellington Cup over 1700m. He’s suited going back out to this trip and gets in well after the claim. OLYMPIC THEATRE (7) scored a confidence-boosting win at Newcastle under 60kg and rates highly again. SMART LEGEND (8) never runs a bad race but finds it hard to win. MAGNATEAR (4) led all the way at the Kensington track and will take running down again.

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R2: TAB Highway (1600m)

Dufficy: I thought REMATCH (1) sets-up well at home third-up with a claim, AND back to a drier track from a good draw really appeals. MAGIC PHAROAH (14) takes on the mile first-up but did win fresh last preparation and has trialled very well. The other local, DANCES WITH HOOVES (8), is better than what we saw last week and gets another chance on a drier track. CENOTES (5) is also taking this race on first-up but he does have talent and could be running hard at the finish.

Thomas: REMATCH (1) loomed up to win under 63kg at Newcastle but might have been in need of the run second-up finishing a close third. Rematch should be peaking now he’s out to 1600m and on his home track. TOROVISTA (11) won well at Sunshine Coast first-up then ran fourth at Eagle Farm last start after leading into the straight. Drawn to get the right run and will be in the finish. DIRTY MERCHANT (2) has been runner-up in both runs this time and should be thereabouts again although his wide draw is a leveller. MAGIC PHAROAH (14) ran some good races in Highways over summer and is one to watch.

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R3: Woodlands Stakes (1100m)

Dufficy: I am going with TOQUE (1). It is a tricky race. He dominated from the front, winning with his head on his chest there first-up in town and is going to be hard to catch again here. LAZZURA (3) was totally unfancied when winning at big odds at her debut. Back in distance may be of some concern but she looks a filly of some talent. SATIN STILETTO (4) had excuses when unplaced as favourite in the Wellington Boot last start and could improve sharply. LET’S GO BARBIE (10) should go much better being closer from an inside draw this week and is some sort of threat.

Thomas: I don’t mind GRACEFUL ARTIST (5) at double figure odds. She was impressive on debut, unleashing from back in the field to win narrowly. She’s drawn well and should be able to settle closer. She’s going to enjoy the big Scone track and will be hitting the line hard again. TOQUE (1) is favourite and deservedly so after resuming with a dominant all-the-way win at Canterbury when resuming. She has the tactical speed to take full advantage of her inside gate. SATIN STILETTO (4) was stakes placed in Brisbane earlier in the season then won her maiden well at Wagga. She had no luck in the Wellington Boot and deserves another chance. FINGERS HUNTER (2) finished powerfully from back in the field to win the Boot and is back on her home track here.

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R4: Benchmark 78 Hcp (1700m)

Dufficy: Pretty keen on UNUSUAL LEGACY (8) here. I loved his first-up run behind Highlights at Rosehill in a race not run to suit. I think he looks a very good staying prospect in the making. PERFECT PLAY (7) is an import who did enough at his Aussie debut and should have more to offer. The two trials for his stablemate, TAJAWAL (11), have been very encouraging – the UK import was hitting the line well so he is a yard and market watch. FOR VICTORY (4) has his confidence up now with two recent solid city wins.

Thomas: UNUSUAL LEGACY (8), winner of three of her first four starts, resumed at Rosehill three weeks ago and ran very well first-up to just miss a place behind Highlights. She will be improved by the run and steps out to 1700m which is closer to her distance range. PERFECT PLAY (7) was good at his Australian debut when he worked home for second over 1800m at Kensington. He’s been placed in good company up to 2400m in England and although he’s coming back slightly in trip, the bigger Scone track suits. BALTIC COAST (6) is improving with racing this campaign and although he’s on trial at this trip, he’s been effective at a mile. FOR VICTORY (4) is making winning a habit.

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R5: Benchmark 72 Hcp (1300m)

Dufficy: Lots of chances here. MIDNIGHT OPAL (2) won his only start here at Scone and he has been competitive in much tougher races than this of late so happy to be with him. JEWELLERY (8) did enough first-up and should get the right run from this draw. BOJANGLES (1) lifted to another level there second-up and only has to handle the huge weight here to be hard to beat if he reproduces that effort. DEMIANA (16) was unlucky first-up indicating she has returned very well.

Thomas: JEWELLERY (8) resumed after more than a year out, was burdened with 60kg and held up on the turn as the winner Spring Lee was full of momentum before she ran on strongly for a close second at Canterbury. Jewellery can only be improved by that run and is drawn to get all the favours here. OSTRAKA (13) was solid first-up when third to Disneck at Rosehill and is good each way value. BOJANGLES (1) ran a blinder at Hawkesbury to beat all bar Schwarz in the Guineas. He has his share of weight even after the claim and a wide draw but he’s good enough to be in the finish. ELSON BOY (4) has forgotten how to lose and made it four wins in succession when he bolted home in the Gooree Cup.

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R6: Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m)

Dufficy: SPRING LEE (14) faces a stiff rise in class but I like her with the light weight after a very impressive first-up win when she really savaged the line. COMMEMORATIVE (5) had a tough run on a heavy track last start but she has freshened nicely with a trial between runs and is ready to perform. MARTINI MUMMA (13) gets her moment to shine. She is way up in class now but hard to knock with the authority of her wins. BALLROOM BELLA (1) has 8kg more than a few of her more fancied runners but has performances on the board in harder races.

Thomas: MARTINI MUMMA (13) has reeled off three very impressive wins in as many starts this campaign including her brilliant effort in a Rosehill Highway last start. She settled off speed and then accelerated like a potential topliner to win by a commanding margin. This is Martini Mumma’s biggest test of her short career but she is a talented filly, on the minimum weight and drawn to advantage. SPRING LEE (14) circled the field to score a strong win at Canterbury first-up beating Jewellery. She will be even fitter and is the one to beat. COMMEMORATIVE (5) struggled in the heavy going when just behind the placegetters last start but is definitely worth another chance on an improving track. SALTAIRE (2) missed the start and couldn’t get into the race last start but she’s a smart filly and will be competitive.

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R7: Ortensia Stakes (1100m)

Dufficy: SPACEWALK (3) had no luck when heavily backed to beat his stablemate Parisal first-up. I think that sets him up well with a run under his belt for a race like this. OPAL RIDGE (6) is a talented mare who is trialling well and is unbeaten here on her home track so has to be considered. INSURRECTION (1) has a big weight but has a big heart and a tremendous will to win. IOWNA MERC (15) is another one who gets in with a light weight and has the talent. Just needs things to fall into place from that awkward draw.

Thomas: IOWNA MERC (15) resumes off a sensational barrier trial win at Canterbury. He was ridden conservatively early then went wide on the turn and zoomed home to win the heat by a widening margin without being put under full pressure. Iowna Merc has always shown promise and he could be set to deliver this campaign. OPAL RIDGE (6) is a brilliant mare who won the Luskin Star Stakes at this meeting last year. She is resuming but has a great first-up record, her only comeback loss when she ran second in The Kosciuszko last spring. She’s unbeaten on her home track and is one of the hardest to beat. HARD TO SAY (5) led all the way to win well under a big weight at Rosehill and SPACEWALK (3) did enough at Hawkesbury first-up to suggest he will run competitively here.

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R8: Dark Jewel Classic (1400m)

Dufficy: RUTHLESS DAME (1) is a quality mare who has competed well at the top level for a while now. This is a very winnable race for her, even with the big weight. OVERRIDING (4) wasn’t suited in the wrong part of the track last start. Her previous win was great. GHAANATI (2) has upside and does no work from the inside draw. SHADOWS OF LOVE (5) is just so reliable and never runs poorly.

Thomas: SHADOWS OF LOVE (5) tried very hard in the Hawkesbury Crown and was closing late when beaten less than a half length into third behind Coco Jamboo. Shadows Of love doesn’t know how to run a bad race and is going to be in the finish again. SHORT SHORTS (6) was very brave in the Crown and was only caught in the final bound. GHAANATI (2) made a wide run in the Crown and was still closing strongly, finishing a close fourth. RUTHLESS DAME (1) is a Group 1-winning mare freshened for this race but she has to contend with a big weight and wide draw.

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R9: Luskin Star Stakes (1300m)

Dufficy: AMENABLE (1) was terrific at Group 1 WFA level in the All Aged Stakes last start behind Magic Time and that has to be good form for this. He only has to reproduce that last run to prove very hard to beat. JIMMYSSTAR (14) has been frustrating for punters but he’s had legitimate excuses at his past two starts, pulling up with the thumps last time. He can bounce back. TAMERLANE (2) always sprints well fresh and has had a good grounding with two trials. KINLOCH (7) is fit and well and sure to be running on hard at the finish.

Thomas: ROCKETING BY (5) was held up from the 400m to well inside the final 200m before finishing fast for seventh in the Wagga Town Plate. He’s drawn a middle barrier, he will settle in the second half of the field but the big track gives him the chance to hit the line hard. At $31, he’s way over the odds. GRAVINA (9) finished a very good second when resuming in the Wagga race and also didn’t have the best of luck in running. He’s well drawn and will improve. JIMMYSSTAR (14) is going to put it all together one day and is more than capable of winning this race. AMENABLE (1) has his share of weight but he’s a proven topliner.

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R10: Benchmark 78 Hcp (1100m)

Dufficy: I am going for SMASHING EAGLE (14) here. He is suited with the big track and plenty of speed on up front so this race is set up for a horse like him to be charging home late in the day. JUNQUEIRA (7) also has a big finish. Just needs clear running to wind-up here from an inside draw. JEDIBEEL (8) will make his own luck and give a great sight. LEGIO TEN (4) is usually very good fresh and respect any confidence on track about him.

Thomas: JEDIBEEL (8) is a smart sprinter developing an impressive record. He resumed over 1000m at Kensington and shouldered 60.5kg to score an easy win in a fast 56.87s. He’s a three-time winner over 1100m, perfectly drawn and is effective second-up. SMASHING EAGLE (14) followed eventual winner Contemporary into the straight and once he got to the outside, he worked home well for third. He should be at his peak after two runs from a spell. DOLLAR MAGIC (15) is a very genuine mare but finds it hard to win. FIRE LANE (6) split Contemporary and Smashing Eagle at Hawkesbury and a repeat of that effort would ensure the filly is in the finish.