The 2015 Scone Cup Carnival will be contested over Friday and Saturday this week; boasting six black type races over a total of 16 events.
The Listed Scone Cup (1600m) is the Carnival’s feature race and will play host to a talent-rich 16 horse field on Friday, while the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) for fillies and mare undoubtedly highlights Saturday’s card.
Capacity fields have been confirmed for almost every race, however we have analysed in detail every runner in each to settle on our 2015 Scone Cup Carnival Best Bets
Friday
Race 6 No. 4 Avonaco
Talented gelding Avonaco returned to racing this time for a close second in the Schweppes BM70 (1250m) on April 29th, has been allocated the ideal barrier 4 and has been confirmed to be partnered by in-form hoop Tommy Berry in the Kia Ora Stud Handicap (1300m). Posting a credible one win and two minors over just six career starts, the son of All American is a proven performer amongst notable competition and over the distance. Taking two-and-a-half kilograms from topweight Forget Maybe, Avonaco appears a great chance of returning to the winner’s circle at Scone on Friday afternoon.
Click Here for our full Kia Ora Stud Handicap betting market
Race 7 No. 3 Pheidon
Gai Waterhouse’s talented gelding Pheidon has won five of 16 career starts and finished in the minors a further five times, and while needing some luck in running from barrier 10, is sure to be given a gem of a ride from Blake Shinn in the Scone Cup. A standout performer over the Spring Carnival, Pheidon followed up an impressive sixth in the featured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) with minors in each of the Listed James Boag’s Premium Stakes (1800m) and Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m). More than capable of performing with 57kgs, the Al Maher gelding carries winning form into his return to black type racing having taken out a Warwick Farm race over a mile first-up on May 6th.
Click Here for our full Scone Cup betting market
Saturday
Race 5 No. 9 Artlee
Posting a commendable race record of five wins and one second place finish through eight career starts, Artlee is seeking a third-consecutive victory in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) and is positioned particularly well in barrier 1. Taking out the Ranvet Country Championships Preview over course and distance on February 23rd, the son of Excellent Art was unlucky to be checked and blocked for a run in his next start but has responded with comfortable wins in his two latest appearances; taking out the Country Championship Final (1400m) on Day 1 of The Championships by three lengths most recently. Charged with carrying just 54kgs, all signs seem to point towards another win on Saturday.
Click Here for our full Luskin Star Stakes betting market
Race 7 No. 12 Ygritte
Classy filly Ygritte has returned to great condition over four starts this time and offers exceptional value at current $6 odds to win the Inglis 3.y.o Guineas (1400m). Stamping her claims as one to watch over a two-year-old campaign highlighted by three-consecutive minors in Group 3 races, the Snitzel filly boxed on for a competitive third in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) on March 21st; returning to the winner’s circle in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) before again finishing in the minors in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) most recently. Allocated the central barrier 7, Ygritte will carry a race-low 54.5kgs.
Click Here for our full Inglis 3.y.o Guineas betting market
Best Long Odds, Each Way Bet
Saturday Race 6 No. 6 Scorpio Queen
Scorpio Queen has not posted much of a consistent run of form over four starts this time in but is a proven performer over the distance at black type level and is more than worth consideration for a small each way bet in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at current $21 for success or $5.80 to finish in the first three. The Choisir mare has won five races and finished in the minors a further five times; placing a close second to Laser Hawk in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1400m) most notably this time.