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By Ray Hickson

There’s a sense of unfinished business from leading apprentice Braith Nock when he partners Written In Code in Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone.

Nock had been faultless on the mare in two wins prior to her last start fourth in the Hawkesbury Crown where he said he’d like to have one split second decision over again.

Braith Nock (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s shaping as a big Scone carnival for Nock, who leads the Sydney Apprentice Premiership on 24 wins, as he’s hoping to snare his first stakes win and notch his 200th career winner.

The 23-year-old sits on 197 winners since his first ride on New Year’s Day in 2023 and he believes, among his carnival rides, he has a great chance in the Dark Jewel.

“It’s good to get the opportunities and it’d be good to make the most of it and tick a Group race off the list,’’ Nock said.

“She’s racing well and she probably had to cover a bit more ground on that track at Hawkesbury.

“I’ve watched it a couple of times and I took luck out of the equation and went around when I could have followed the winner and got off its back half way up the straight. Instead I lost three lengths on the turn.”

Regardless, Nock said the way Written In Code kept finding the line to be beaten just over two lengths by City Of Lights impressed him.

He said a track in the soft range would be ideal for her, as opposed to the heavy last time, and the drop in weight of 2.5kg should help her let down to the best of her ability.

“She’s got a good turn of foot so hopefully we can make use of that,’’ he said.

“She was going through the line pretty strongly. I know what the horse can do so hopefully it’s her time to shine.”

Co-trainer Rob Archibald concurred with Nock that things didn’t quite to plan at Hawkesbury but was similarly pleased with her effort.

The Dark Jewel could be the five-year-old’s final start as she is entered for a broodmare sale in the coming weeks but Archibald is also confident she has more to give.

“She’s always had ability but she’s found a nice rhythm this preparation,’’ Archibald said.

“I thought she ran really well at Hawkesbury and she has a nice set up at Scone.

“She’s fit she’s well and she’s on her home track so there’s a lot to like about her.

“It’d be a nice way to finish off her career but I hope someone buys her and gives her back to us for next year.”

Nock kicked off the Hawkesbury stand alone meeting two weeks ago with a win on Jumeirah Beach and he sees no reason why they can’t repeat in the Midway Handicap (1700m).

And it was a race he thought got away from him when the six-year-old was badly checked early in the straight. He rises 2.5kg for the win but against that Nock said the barrier is in his favour.

“I’m not sure if there’s going to be as much speed this time around but we’ve drawn well again,’’ he said.

“I’ll let him be where he wants and hopefully find an uninterrupted run through instead of getting smashed.

“When I gathered up again I thought we’d run on for a nice third or fourth.”

Zealously was a beaten favourite when Nock partnered the Peter Snowden-trained three-year-old second-up at Randwick and he’d hope there’s no déjà vu at Scone.

He was trapped three wide near the speed on that occasion and doesn’t want a repeat against similar opposition.

“If we were a little less positive out last time we probably land in the one-one. It got a bit sticky,’’ he said.

“We’ve got the same two horses inside us that were in there last time.

Written In Code runs fourth at Hawkesbury

“I’d want to get outside the lead or if they go a bit harder try and slot in but we’ll see how it pans out and what Peter wants to do.”

Braith Nock on Zumbo (race 3): “She’s a good horse to have around, she does everything you want. I thought she was pretty good the other day and stepping up in distance should suit her. She’s drawn well enough.”

On Compelling Truth (race 8): “He’s got good gate speed and should be able to put himself up there. He’s a little more versatile these days, you can take a bit of a sit with him. It used be he’d rip and tear a bit but with older age and more racing he’s got a bit more versatile.”

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