Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New South Wales · Monday 17 August 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 7 races at Scone. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Yeah Buddy is the form anchor of this maiden. He has placed in five of his last six starts, including narrow seconds at Toowoomba, and has placed in both first-up attempts. The query is the lack of a win, but in a weak, chalky Scone maiden on Soft, the most reliable runner should take beating.
Lope De Luna is a debutant, so the form sample is entirely trial-based. The positives are significant: a Scone trial win on Soft, a good draw, and one of the strongest jockey/trainer combinations in country racing. The unknowns are real, but this is a live debutant in a thin maiden.
Highland Dancer has done little wrong in three starts, filling the placings each time and showing a consistent level of form. The inside barrier is a genuine positive at Scone on Soft and she should be prominent throughout.
Mr Hugo is an unraced galloper whose appeal comes through the powerful Izzy Neale and S I Singleton combination, which has won 6 of 15 together. His Muswellbrook trial second on Soft and Scone trial third on Heavy suggest a forward, tractable horse.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Stop The Meter | 10 | Mitchell Bell | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | 56.5kg | $12.00 |
| 2nd | 2 | Yeah Buddy | 6 | Reece Jones | R P Northam | 59kg | $2.80 |
| 2nd | 10 | Summer Force | 7 | Jean Van Overmeire | Lou Mary | 55kg | $4.20 |
| 4th | 7 | Mr Hugo | 8 | Izzy Neale | S I Singleton | 55kg | $3.70 |
| 5th | 1 | Lope De Luna | 4 | Aaron Bullock | R P Northam | 59kg | $8.50 |
| 6th | 3 | Dyneema | 3 | Braith Nock | M A Milton | 57kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 9 | Gay Tarantella | 9 | Donovan Dillon | Holly Williams | 55kg | $10.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Little Bubbles | 2 | Andrew Gibbons | W T Wilkes | 57kg | $31.00 |
| Scr | 4 | Highland Dancer | 1 | Mikayla Weir | Stirling Osland | 57kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Miners Mate | 5 | Lyle Chandler | 56.5kg |
Clear form anchor. The query is a first start on Soft, but the proven track/trip form and likely forward position make him the most probable winner.
Long Live has been consistent without breaking through, finishing fourth in three provincial maidens before a plain first-up run at Quirindi. The second-up pattern and Aaron Bullock booking are positives, while barrier 2 is ideal for the Scone 900m on-pace pattern. He is less proven at the trip and carries top weight, but a forward run can put him in the finish.
Second-up with a tongue tie first time is a positive switch and she maps handy from barrier 5. Her earlier placed run at Seymour shows underlying talent. She still needs to find a few lengths on Sir Boom A Lot, but rates clearly the second-best chance.
That form should translate to Soft 5 and she can race prominently from barrier 4. Win strike rate is a concern, but she has the speed to hold a forward position and is worth including for exotics.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Sir Boom A Lot | 6 | Mikayla Weir | S I Singleton | 56.5kg | $2.25 |
| 2nd | 1 | Long Live | 2 | Aaron Bullock | J C Deamer | 59kg | $10.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Love You Anyway | 7 | Shannen Llewellyn | B G Lawrence | 57kg | $14.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Dorset Lass | 8 | Reece Jones | R P Northam | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 8 | Rallet | 9 | Mitchell Bell | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | 56.5kg | $2.35 |
| 6th | 2 | Robards | 3 | Donovan Dillon | M K Mason | 59kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 10 | Biripi Perfection | 1 | Jeff Penza | M & D Kearney | 55kg | $61.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Apache Command | 4 | Jean Van Overmeire | G J Preston | 57kg | $61.00 |
| Scr | 4 | Excels | 5 | Ashley Morgan | Nathan Doyle | 57kg | |
| Scr | 5 | Little Bubbles | 1 | W T Wilkes | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Puffin | 5 | M C Dobie | 57kg |
Feazabeel has the strongest class reference, having finished second in a BM66 over this track and trip before dropping to BM58. He is 2-for-4 on soft, maps perfectly from gate 1 and should be in the first three at the 400m. The top weight is the main concern, but his form, fitness and track profile make him the clear horse to beat.
Magic Merlin broke through in strong style last start and is the clear third pick. He has been consistent throughout his short career, and the rise to 1700m looks a natural progression from his 1500m win. The main query is class, but with Mitchell Bell’s strong Scone record and a favourable map, he rates as a genuine place chance.
Exorbitant Miss is the main danger, arriving on a hat-trick after wins at Taree and Muswellbrook. She has already placed over this Scone 1700m on soft and the stable is clearly confident. The quick back-up and weight are negatives, but she is arguably the most in-form runner in the field and should be running on strongly.
He maps to be in the first six and can run the trip strongly.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Magic Merlin | 6 | Mitchell Bell | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | 60.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 1 | Feazabeel | 1 | Olivia Dalton | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 62kg | $2.25 |
| 3rd | 6 | Yorikiri | 7 | Aaron Bullock | P M Perry | 59kg | $18.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Corpsman | 2 | Reece Jones | J A Sylvester | 55kg | $71.00 |
| 5th | 10 | Questionable | 10 | Donovan Dillon | R P Northam | 55.5kg | $8.50 |
| 6th | 8 | Casterly Rock | 3 | Liam Blanch | Todd Smith | 58kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Astrogazer | 4 | Alysha Collett | David Pfieffer | 60kg | $8.50 |
| 8th | 7 | Caledonian | 8 | Madeline Owen | Ms K Owen | 58kg | $9.00 |
| 9th | 4 | Shoot'em Up | 9 | Braith Nock | Ben Lees | 60kg | $26.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Aurora Effect | 5 | Ben Looker | Stirling Osland | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Exorbitant Miss | 4 | Mikayla Weir | J R Gask | 60.5kg |
Iron Fury is the most consistent form runner in the race, having placed in recent CL1/BM64 company on Soft and Heavy tracks. He maps handily from barrier 6 and suits Scone's on-pace Soft bias.
Her recent CL1 runs were only fair.
By The Way produced a clear maiden win at Moree and looks to be on an upward curve. She is less exposed than most and has the services of Ben Looker, who is strong at Scone. The class rise is a concern and her wet-track form is limited, but her progression and recent winning confidence put her firmly in the top three.
Panta Rhei is a proven wet-track performer who has twice placed in CL1 company at Scone on Soft ground. She comes off a close 3rd on a Soft 5 and a narrow 5th on Heavy, indicating she is racing well.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | All Too Sneaky | 4 | Reece Jones | D Lane | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Panta Rhei | 13 | Braith Nock | J P Drake | 58kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 1 | Iron Fury | 6 | Liberty Smyth | Nathan Doyle | 59.5kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 7 | Vittozzi | 3 | Ashley Morgan | Nathan Doyle | 57kg | $3.30 |
| 5th | 5 | Oakfield Universe | 8 | Aaron Bullock | K A Lees | 57.5kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 9 | Bees Knees | 10 | Jeff Penza | W T Wilkes | 56kg | $14.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Haras | 11 | Izzy Neale | S I Singleton | 55kg | $13.00 |
| 8th | 2 | Rock Emperor | 12 | Mikayla Weir | S I Singleton | 59kg | $12.00 |
| 9th | 6 | By The Way | 9 | Ben Looker | Stirling Osland | 57kg | $7.00 |
| 10th | 10 | Not Mee | 5 | Alysha Collett | Cameron Crockett | 55kg | $41.00 |
| 11th | 3 | Excessor | 2 | Jean Van Overmeire | K A Lees | 58.5kg | $13.00 |
| 12th | 12 | Sigsaly | 1 | Shannen Llewellyn | W T Wilkes | 55kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 13 | Smart Lily | 7 | W T Wilkes | 55kg |
The addition of blinkers and an inside gate give her every chance to finally break through. She maps favourably under Bullock and is the most reliable winning chance on form.
Sparkling Fire has been excellent in both career starts, finishing second at Gosford and then narrowly beaten in a Soft 5 maiden at Newcastle. The main concern is the 61kg impost, but his running pattern and barrier give him strong claims.
Life's Turns is a genuine value runner after a fast-finishing second at Scone last start. He has been building through recent sprints, is 3.5kg better off today and should appreciate the 1300m.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Oakfield Iowa | 1 | Aaron Bullock | K A Lees | 59.5kg | $2.35 |
| 2nd | 14 | Switch On | 4 | Ashley Morgan | Nathan Doyle | 55kg | $1.85 |
| 3rd | 16 | Life's Turns | 10 | Braith Nock | Ms J Bowen | 55.5kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 9 | Graffi | 9 | Donovan Dillon | A M Boyle | 56kg | $51.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Audacity | 13 | Reece Jones | Sam Harris | 56.5kg | $61.00 |
| 6th | 8 | Axhro | 6 | Jeff Penza | M & D Kearney | 56kg | $17.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Van Duke | 8 | Ben Looker | W T Wilkes | 58kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 15 | Remember The Waler | 2 | Mikayla Weir | Ms J Bowen | 55kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Sparkling Fire | 3 | Mitchell Bell | David Pfieffer | 61kg | |
| Scr | 4 | Crispy Leaves | 6 | M S Minervini | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Dragon Blood | 11 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Sylvan | 1 | Alysha Collett | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 10 | Chatoyer | 5 | Heavelon Van Der Hoven | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 55kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Golden Goddess | 7 | Jean Van Overmeire | K A Lees | 55kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Lady Of Wisdom | 13 | P M Perry | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | May The Force | 12 | Lyle Chandler | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Luna Cruiser | 1 | Jay Hopkins | 55kg |
Varuni is the clear form horse: twice a winner from just four starts, including a first-up BM58 success at Muswellbrook over 1280m. Barrier one gives her every chance to control a slow tempo from the front, which is the preferred Scone Soft profile. The main query is soft ground, but Scone's Soft surface plays similarly to Good and she is not over-racing. Strongest win chance in the field.
Ready And Lucky has been a model of consistency without winning, finishing close in BM66 and BM64 company on rain-affected tracks. Barrier three and Aaron Bullock give her every chance to settle handy and keep a slow tempo. Her Soft record is credible and she has placed at Scone before. The knock is her inability to find the winner's circle, with just one win in her last 11 starts, and the 50-day gap.
Zousanity comes off two straight victories, the latest in BM58 company, and she is the type of improving four-year-old that Scone Soft winners are often built from. Her maiden win came on Soft 7 and she has shown she can overcome wide barriers. Gate 11 is the obvious concern, as Scone's outside draws struggle on rain-affected ground, but her early speed should let her cross into a forward spot. She rates the second-most likely winner behind Varuni, provided the wide gate does not force a deeper settle.
Savoca returned to form with a smart BM66 win at Quirindi and has a genuine Scone affinity, with one win and two placings from seven visits. Each-way value rather than a main win play in a race where the top two are stronger.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Varuni | 1 | Rory Hutchings | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 57kg | $2.10 |
| 2nd | 10 | Think Back | 10 | Mikayla Weir | S I Singleton | 55.5kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 2 | Shaggy Rogers | 4 | Jean Van Overmeire | Kieren Hazelton | 60kg | $31.00 |
| 4th | 3 | Savoca | 6 | Reece Jones | P M Perry | 59.5kg | $8.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Ready And Lucky | 3 | Aaron Bullock | Lou Mary | 58kg | $3.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Slush Fund | 7 | Izzy Neale | Todd Smith | 61.5kg | $26.00 |
| 7th | 11 | Prince Rupert | 5 | Ben Looker | Philip Duffy | 55kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 5 | River Pat | 2 | Ashley Morgan | Ms K Waugh | 58kg | |
| Scr | 7 | Zousanity | 11 | W T Wilkes | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Erina | 8 | Mitchell Bell | Adam Duggan | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Pearls Treasure | 9 | Shannen Llewellyn | P M Perry | 56.5kg |
Star Whisperer is the main danger if overcoming the wide draw. Bullock's Scone record and the stable's confidence with blinkers suggest he can hold a forward spot. Wide gate and class rise are the risks, making him a strong placing chance.
Nova Centauri is a fascinating fresh runner. She is a dual Scone winner, including a first-up Soft 1000m win, and her overall Soft record is excellent. Reece Jones retains the ride and has never been beaten on her. The concern is a 176-day spell and two ordinary metropolitan runs at the end of last prep, but this is a much more suitable assignment.
Write Me A Letter is the most likely winner. She handles Soft, maps to lead or sit handy from gate 4, and has a top jockey/trainer combination.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Nova Centauri | 8 | Reece Jones | R P Northam | 59kg | $3.90 |
| 2nd | 7 | Myalaby | 1 | Deon Le Roux | Tim McIntosh | 53.5kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Nevermista | 5 | Daniel A Northey | Simon Casey | 57.5kg | $3.40 |
| 4th | 1 | Beaumista | 6 | Christian Reith | Simon Casey | 60.5kg | $3.40 |
| 5th | 10 | Cupid's Kiss | 7 | Liberty Smyth | J A Sylvester | 53kg | $71.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Star Whisperer | 12 | Aaron Bullock | R P Northam | 58kg | $4.80 |
| 7th | 2 | Manage The Cycle | 11 | Izzy Neale | J R Gask | 57.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 12 | Northern Boogie | 9 | Ben Looker | Philip Duffy | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 11 | Thedaythemusicdied | 3 | Madeline Owen | Ms K Owen | 55kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Triple Yes | 13 | Adam Farragher | Liam Ruddy | 57kg | |
| Scr | 8 | Mean Girls | 10 | Jean Van Overmeire | Kieren Hazelton | 55.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Write Me A Letter | 4 | Mitchell Bell | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | 55kg | |
| Scr | 13 | Sir Freddie | 2 | J A Sylvester | 55kg |
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