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By Neil Evans

Track likely Good 4 and rail True so or or just off the pace before a late trend wider

Good deep maiden sprint to start. Local 3YO 3. The Snooperstar from the Mark Schmetzer stable resumes off a nice trial working home from just off the speed, with significant gear changes, and chasing what should be a good speed up front. Was close-up in three runs last prep in tougher company over more ground, and draws to park back in the field with cover, and launch late.

Dangers: Debutant 2YO Newcastle filly 14. Sequana (Headwater x Leviosa by Magic Albert) trialled nicely for leading provincial stable. Newcastle filly 7. Lilly Pilly returns from a seven month spell via a handy trial behind Trojan Angel who then won impressively at Taree on debut. Capable fresh, but drawn very wide.

How to play it: The Snooperstar to win and quinella 3 and 14. Odds and Evens: Split.

Home track 3YO filly 3. Trieste has her first run for the Brett Cavanough yard after transferring from Brad Widdup, and can strike third-up. Hit the line late resuming as an odds-on fancy at Newcastle before a shade disappointing as an easing favourite in tougher company at Hawkesbury. This suits.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO 1. Dr Copper is well placed fourth-up, drawn to park right behind the speed, and looking for a little extra ground after three strong placings to open this prep. Watch for improvement from Wyong 3YO 4. Underboss who was okay on debut at Newcastle, and blinkers come off. Rival Newcastle 3YO 2. Top Hoffa has also been consistent enough in three runs this time in, although will need to improve further against this lot.

How to play it: Trieste to win and quinella 1 and 3. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Trieste runs fourth at Hawkesbury on May 21

Back to the sprint trip. Well bred home track 4YO 1. Melik from the Paul Messara stable tried hard but couldn't drag in the winner resuming at Muswellbrook, but that was his first run in more than seven months, and will naturally improve back at home and on a firmer track. Was also entered for the following BM 66 race.

Dangers: Tamworth 3YO 2. Halcyon House can figure from a handy barrier off a nice trial; while include Newcastle filly 6. Dream Song in wider exotics who also comes in fresh off a sound trial.

How to play it: Melik to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Melik runs second at Muswellbrook on May 24

Like the big value here second-up about home track 4YO 2. Magic Charlee for the Rod Northam stable. Obviously prefers it longer, and will drift a long way back, but rattled home late first-up at Muswellbrook, and generally improves into the next run. Loves his home circuit, and getting back on drier ground is a big plus.

Dangers: Local and progressive 3YO 7. Warrah Flash is going great guns having charged home to win his last two, but a query up further in grade, and drawn the inside over a shorter trip, for one who will get a fair way back. Nyngan 5YO 1. Festival Of Light has never raced better, finishing hard to win this grade at Dubbo before not far off repeating the dose last start behind a good sprinter. Will need plenty of cover, though, carrying 61kg. Watch for good improvement from local 4YO 3. Niccirose who dropped out resuming here in a handy Class 1, but that was his first run in a year.

How to play it: Magic Charlee each way and box exacta 1,2,7. Odds and Evens: Split

Strong mile race for this grade. Home track mare 2. Holy Empress probably should have won second-up at Dubbo when charging home under a big weight, but was forced back to the inside and went under a head. Improves further over more ground on a firmer track, and can overcome the wide draw.

Dangers: Capable Newcastle mare 3. Toe Tapper hasn't won for a while, but flew home late in a good CL3 at Tamworth last start, and this is a nice follow-up race getting on to the bigger circuit. Muswellbrook 3YO 8. Forever Jude is banging on the door after hitting the line well in a CL1 at Mudgee, although will need to slot in fairly early from a wide draw.

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

Open short-course battle here, with a few chances, headed by Muswellbrook filly 5. Sophie's Lass from the Todd Howlett yard resuming off a nice trial. Can settle back off a good speed, and first-up last prep missed by a nose in a handy maiden at Tuncurry.

Dangers: Newcastle filly 6. Redlight Dancer stuck on okay after leading in a CL1 at Taree, although this looks stronger; while watch the betting on Wyong 3YO 3. Mathematics resuming without a public trial.

How to play it: Sophie's Lass to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Most open race of the day to finish. Keen on improving 3YO filly 12. Light Of Uluru from the Kim Waugh yard at Wyong second-up after finishing hard into a place resuming in a strong BM 58 at Taree. Will relish the long run home here, and this is the right trip.

Dangers: Improving local 3YO 6. Sir Clooney can go close third-up, although form out of his most recent second placing at Quirindi is weak. Newcastle mare 3. Power Of Wexford hit the line nicely at Muswellbrook off a lengthy freshen-up, and while climbs in weight and draws wide, less depth here. Home track mare 10. Tombolo ran a nice closing race first-up at Tamworth in the Jardel Cup, but sadly fell last start in a CL2 here on Cup day. Has good ability, but generally gets a long way back and inside draw does her no favours.

How to play it: Light Of Uluru to win. Odds and Evens: Evens.

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