Latest News

By Neil Evans

Track likely Soft 5 and rail True so should play fairly even with late trend wider

We unlock winter with a wide open sprint for the maidens at set weights. Scone 3YO filly and former Victorian 5. Aneesa from the John Ramsey stable looks well placed second-up off a long break. Held ground resuming here, and stable is adept at placing them well.

Dangers: Rival Scone filly 8. Entreat will find this easier back in trip after being well beaten second-up at home. Local 2YO filly 14. Praline ran way above her huge debut price at Wellington three weeks back, and draws to park right behind the speed; while monitor the market on Scone debutant, 2YO filly 13. Hammoon Jig (Nicconi x Venassas Jig by Street Cry) who trialled okay in open company, and was scratched from Tamworth on Sunday.

How to play it: Aneesa to win and trifecta 5,8,14/5,8,13,14/5,8,13,14. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split

Moderate but tough maiden for the boys. Keen on home track 3YO gelding 13. Harwok'n'zoff from the Clint Lundholm yard rising in trip second-up after charging home late resuming here a fortnight back. Can settle closer from a low draw, and raced up to 2000m last prep.

Dangers: Stablemate 3YO 2. Arrivederci can progress at third start up in distance after a tidy effort here. Mudgee 3YO 3. Harley Fat Boy is clear best of the rest dropping sharply in weight after the claim, but will need luck from a wide draw.

How to play it: Harwok'n'zoff to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Harwok'n'zoff runs third at Dubbo on May 18

Now the girls' turn, and there are a stack of chances. Loved the way Scone filly 8. Stellar Blaze finished off resuming at Mudgee, and while she'll likely drift back from a wide barrier, can charge over the top.

Dangers: Wellington mare 12. Alison Princess has hit the line late in her last two.

How to play it: Stellar Blaze to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Very open battle again, with any number of hopes. Wyong 4YO gelding 10. Sethlans from the Allan Denham yard made up good late ground in a handy maiden at Tamworth over this trip. Should be right at peak now staying at the mile and down in weight, and well over the odds getting to a bigger and more suitable track.

Dangers: Gulgong 4YO 1. Clever Missile will be hard to hold out fourth-up and dropping in grade if he can slot in and find cover from a wide gate. Will drift back, and be saved for the last shot. Wellington 3YO 6. Athena's Lad has held his form okay in deeper races after rattling home for an impressive debut win at Narromine. Tough ask drawn the extreme outside. After knocking on the door for a while, Scone 3YO 8. Shame Warned fought hard to win his maiden at Tamworth over this distance, and down in weight from an even better draw he can figure again. Mudgee 4YO 5. Sedgemoor will find this more to his liking after dropping out first-up in a stronger race at Scone, and only career win so far came second-up.

How to play it: Sethlans each way and trifecta 1,6,8,10/1,5,6,8,10/1,5,6,8,10. Odds and Evens: Split

Fairly open but thin sprint. Progressive 4YO gelding 1. Cotton On George from the Alison Smith yard at Orange showed good speed to career away and win his maiden at Wellington second-up, and draws to dictate again. Tougher challenge down much longer straight, but this isn't strong.

Dangers: Nyngan 4YO 7. Supreme Times was a strong winner in a much weaker race under a big weight last start, and while this is significantly tougher, he will carry 10kg less. Local 3YO 2. Forgiato has returned in good shape narrowly winning his maiden here first-up before again strong to the line in a CL1 at Wellington.

How to play it: Cotton On George to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Cotton On George wins at Wellington on May 10

Now the older and more seasoned sprinters turn. Improving 5YO gelding 2. Kookabaa from the Brett Thompson stable looks well placed coming off a smart CL3 win fourth-up at Mudgee. Had previously held his own in tougher company, and 3kg weight claim is crucial.

Dangers: Lightly-raced Scone mare 3. Miss Powerbelle resumes off an eight month break for new stable, and only has to jump well from the wider draw to be in the finish. Has been fitted with two quiet trials, and has a sound fresh record. Nyngan 5YO 1. Festival Of Light has a 50 percent winning strike rate at this track, and won two of his last three, both times charging home from midfield here. Not sure the inside draw suits his pattern, and does climb to 61kg; while include local 6YO sprinter 5. Sons Of Bourke who can be ridden closer from a low draw.

How to play it: Kookabaa to win and trifecta 1,2,3/1,2,3,5/1,2,3,5. Odds and Evens: Split

Lightly raced Gilgandra 3YO 8. Patrick May has made good progress in only his second prep winning this grade at Parkes, although tougher here from a wide draw under 60kg, but he's on the rise.

Dangers: Home track 5YO 2. California Fox hasn't been far away in his last three across deeper opposition, and can roll forward again from the inside draw, but weighted to his absolute best. Wellington 6YO 6. Universal Thief hasn't finished further back than second in his last four, including a strong win at home last start. Wellington 6YO 7. Harry New Shoes burst through late to win this grade last start, but strike rate only ordinary, and he rises in weight.

How to play it: Patrick May to win and box trifecta 2,6,7,8. Odds and Evens: Evens

Now the girls' edition to close the meeting, and again there are plenty of chances. Under-rated 4YO mare 2. Holy Empress from the Scone stable of Scott Singleton did a good resuming in a stronger BM 64 at Wyong when specked at long odds. Bigger track suits, and draws to coil up midfield and be produced late.

Dangers: Home track 4YO mare and last start winner 4. Dusky Damsel will roll forward from a middle gate, and is the clear threat

How to play it: Holy Empress to win. Odds and Evens: Evens.

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