Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It might look unorthodox on paper but trainer Scott Singleton has been waiting patiently to unleash Fiorsum Fred on the TAB Highway (1600m) at Scone on Saturday.

Trainer Scott Singleton (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The four-year-old hasn’t raced for two months and has had no official trial but Singleton revealed it’s been a long term plan to target Highway grade on his home track.

Singleton said he’s been rapt with Fiorsum Fred’s last two efforts, since a win at Tamworth over a mile, where he was beaten a length by Hurstville Zagreb then just over a length by King Of Thunder at his last start on March 15 in Sydney.

“It was on the radar from before that last run,’’ he said.

“We wanted to keep him away from the races for a bit so he was fresh enough for the mile. I certainly think his form should stack up pretty well in a race like that.

“He’s working well, he’s in good order, we’ll go there with no excuses. He’s in the right sort of shape to give it a good shake.”

Fiorsum Fred, $8 with TAB on Thursday, will carry 55kg after the claim for apprentice Jace McMurray and Singleton said he just needs even luck in running to be a major chance.

Though that concern for luck from a wide barrier is quelled a bit if the track plays to those off the fence on the second day of the carnival.

“It’s a bit of a sticky draw but it’s a good long run down the back there,’’ he said.

“It’s the right distance at home and with the 3kg claim he gets in well at the weights considering he’s won a 74 at Tamworth and hasn’t been beaten far in a 78 in town.

“He’s definitely good enough it’s just a matter of getting the right run.”

Stablemate Bush Telegraph is also first-up in the Highway but not by design.

The mare hasn’t raced since December where she was safely held at Randwick in a Highway but she scored two wins over a mile prior.

“I hadn’t planned to have her first-up but missed a couple of runs with the wet tracks,’’ he said.

“She’s done a power of work and is a horse that will get a mile anyway. She is a bit in and out, I’m just not sure which one will turn up.”

A year ago at this meeting Dollar Magic beat Jedibeel to win what this year is known as the GRO Events Handicap (1100m) and Singleton sees no reason why she can’t figure.

Jedibeel is tackling the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday and Dollar Magic has been typically competitive but hasn’t won since.

“She’s been set for this day for a little while now,’’ Singleton said.

Fiorsum Fred's last start at Rosehill on March 15

“We’ve stuck to the same thing, first-up with a couple of trials. She seems to be going as good as ever.

“She can go down to Sydney and run second and third but when they have to come here it’s a different story so I’m hoping for a repeat of that.”

Scott Singleton on Melody Again (race 9): “She wouldn’t want it too soft but she races well at home. I’ve got a hunch that on her day she’s up to running a big race in something like that. We just need her to turn up on the right day.”

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