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By Ray Hickson

In an ideal world Good Banter would be racing over 1800m or 2000m second-up but co-trainer Tom Charlton says the platform is there for her to have a big say in the Muswellbrook Ford Handicap (1700m) at Scone on Saturday.

Trainer Tom Charlton (Pic: Grant Guy).

The four-year-old’s last win was in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes last year so it’s been a while between drinks but Charlton said her first-up effort showed she’s a good chance to improve on her record of two wins from 16 starts.

Good Banter, $5.50 with TAB on Thursday, ran a closing fourth behind Know Thyself over a mile at Randwick three weeks ago.

“Her first-up run was superb, she couldn’t have done any more,’’ Charlton said.

“We couldn’t fault her in any way. It was a really great effort and she’s returned beautifully.”

Punter's Intelligence data showed Good Banter ran a race best 36.08 for her last 600m and the fastest last 200m of 12.55 as she was beaten a length and a half.

Both of Good Banter’s wins have come on a heavy track but Charlton is adamant she doesn’t need those conditions to be effective.

Kerrin McEvoy rides the mare at Scone and with the modest rise in distance in mind Charlton would like the race to be a little testing.

“She handles a heavy but you see the best of her on a soft track,’’ he said.

“She’ll appreciate getting to 1700m, she’d probably love it a bit further, and on a big, expansive, track like Scone it will suit her well.”

Charlton and co-trainer John O’Shea hope to have two runners in the Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) with Countyourblessings in the field and Captain Amelia first emergency.

Both mares come through a strong Benchmark 78 at Randwick back on April 19, Countyourblessings has trialled since she finished midfield while Captain Amelia raced on Hawkesbury Cup Day in unsuitable ground.

The stable won the Dark Jewel last year with Fall For Cindy and Charlton said this year’s representatives aren’t unlike the reigning champ.

“I don’t think there is a lot between them,’’ he said.

“Captain Amelia has been a victim of barriers her first two starts and probably a bit of the ground last time.

“She needs a barrier to be effective. She’s not the most versatile, you can’t jump and use her and come back. She just takes a bit of time to find her rhythm.”

He said it was decided not to run Countyourblessings at Hawkesbury and she comes into the race fresh with a trial win under her belt.

“We elected to trial her instead and we’re happy with that. She’s pretty versatile and her first run was very good,’’ he said.

Getafix finished midfield in the Hawkesbury Guineas at his second run back from a spell and Charlton warned not to give up on him if he runs in the Lion Handicap (1300m).

Good Banter's first-up fourth at Randwick on April 26

“He’s a talented horse and we haven’t seen the best of him this campaign,’’ he said.

“He didn’t quite get the run he needed in the Guineas to figure.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Scone meeting