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By Neil Evans

Track Heavy 9 and rail out 5m.

7. Hard Rattle is a provincial mare well placed in a very moderate maiden to finally break through fifth-up and four weeks between runs. Has shown steady improvement this prep, sticking on into a place at Wellington last start, and her best form is on rain-affected ground. Was scratched from Narromine on Sunday to be saved for this. 5. Usain Boss is an expensive metropolitan-based three-year-old who did nothing from the back when resuming for only his third start on the Kensington track, but given six weeks between runs with more education, and drops significantly in quality with gear changes in play. 2. Bonoyster hasn’t done much this prep, but will appreciate a thinner race, and is very fit deep into the prep. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Hard Rattle to win

1. Empress Tsarina is a consistent and honest mare who is ready to break through and cap an encouraging first prep. Was placed in three consecutive races early in the campaign against better provincial opposition before a let-up, then failed to fire on a shifty track at Muswellbrook. Again battled away just 13 days ago when dropping back to 1000m, but this is a far more suitable trip where she can be ridden a little quieter and get to the outside. 5. Wanavan is an improver, also well credentialed to win this fourth-up, but has to get over from an outside barrier. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but include local mare 4. Rockadeel improving into her second start, 6. Alchemia resuming off two trials, and 14. Torquin who finds a weak race third-up, in all exotic plays.

How to play it: Empress Tsarina to win

1. Blue Kingdom is a home tracker primed to break through at his fourth start. Hit the line nicely on debut at Taree before covering ground at Dubbo, but still worked to the line nicely in what was a more than handy maiden. Suited getting up to the mile, leading jockey sticks, and right at home on soft and heavy tracks. 4. Keep safe 4. Fantastic Beast who has mixed his form this prep, but didn’t have a lot of luck in a useful Class 1 last start over further, and the drop in trip is key. 14. Redaluca Girl is trained on the course and reloads a month between runs via a nice trial win. 11. Pathelia drawn wide but an improver in a thinner race, and at big odds 8. Twenty Four Guns freshened up with blinkers coming off, can both run into the minor money.

How to play it: Blue Kingdom to win

3. Sebilla is a progressive home track mare who finds the right race over a furlong further to finally capture a third win. Campaigned in three consecutive and tougher Saturday Highways before reloading off a break and running home late in a better race than this at Dubbo. That form augurs well for this despite going up in weight and drawn wide. 5. Ghaznavi has enough ability despite a lean win rate. Swept home to win his maiden here three runs ago, and was good late when missing narrowly at Tamworth 10 days back. Looks the clear threat, especially after bypassing Narromine to run here. 1. Big Short is hard fit and over the odds coming off a tough front-running win in similar company at Tamworth. 7. Sammiballerina is a query in the ground, but honest enough over a longer trip coming back in grade. 9. Set To Prophet from the inside draw is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Sebilla to win

7. Smart Jazz is an underrated seven-year-old well placed to score a long overdue fourth win in a wide open race, dropping down from a tougher provincial affair. Was tried leading at huge odds in consecutive and much deeper Saturday Highway races before a very plain effort at Tamworth. Again went to the front in a BM 64 at Newcastle last start and was only collared in the last couple of strides. Drawn out here, but he thrives in the going, and jockey will have the option of either crossing to the front, or sitting just off the speed and taken to the middle at the top of the straight. 1. Capicella who drew wide will relish an extra furlong second-up with a 3kg claim off a seven week break. 2. Dawn County is also in the mix after doing his best work late when resuming at Dubbo. 8. Gold Smiles shapes well over the odds having not missed a place in four runs this prep including a dominant BM 58 win three starts ago, but a query on heavy ground. 9. Major Makeover is another with an each-way chance, hitting peak fitness third-up off a let-up. 3. Nay Pee Cee, a sparingly raced five-year-old second-up, and 6. Outback Crumpet five weeks between runs via a soft trial; can both add plenty of value into exotic bets.

How to play it: Smart Jazz to win

5. Upwardly Mobile is an improving local mare who can launch here second-up at good value over 150m further. Took on deeper races last prep, and loved the way she let down from the back at Dubbo when resuming as a solid enough favourite. Stronger jockey takes over, both career wins from nine starts have come here, and only needs a clear crack at them from the 350m. 9. Salvato is a lightly raced and talented local who will likely jump clear favourite. Was impressive finishing best to easily win his maiden as a heavily backed favourite a fortnight ago, and looks destined for bigger targets. 3. Archaic Force looks suitably placed third-up over further after rattling home to be beaten under a length in a BM 58 at Dubbo. 1. Reflecting Fame is a big market watch returning off a 10 week break and two spaced trials. 12. Chestime is a local mare and market watch at big odds resuming off a soft track trial win.

How to play it: Upwardly Mobile to win

6. It Stays In Vegas is a progressive and local trained three-year-old primed to make it two wins from his last three. Swept home late for an easy maiden win at Moree as a hot favourite before working home okay at Tamworth on much firmer ground. Better ridden quieter here back on far more preferred rain-affected going, and crucially has drawn to get to the middle late. 3. Singing Star is a capable and versatile wet tracker bursting to win again fifth-up, having been withdrawn from Narromine on Sunday to run here. Placed in her last three, including a deeper Class 3 18 days ago, and will give a sight over her pet trip. 7. Parmenio is a threat rolling forward first-up from a wide draw. 1. Romantic Love is progressive enough and ready to peak third-up with a gear change; while 9. The Affirmative improving second-up heads the rest.

How to play it: It Stays In Vegas to win

BEST BETS:
R3 1. BLUE KINGDOM
R7 6. IT STAYS IN VEGAS

BEST VALUE:
R4 3. SEBILLA

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Scone meeting