Race-by-race preview and tips for Scone on Thursday

1 month ago 12

By Neil Evans

January 28, 2026 — 5.00pm

Track good 4 and rail true.

RACE 1

2. Savage Look is a locally trained gelding by emerging sprint sire Wild Ruler who can start his career with a bang in a two-year-old field of all first-starters. In good hands, won both trials impressively eight weeks apart with something in hand, and is drawn to get the right run. 3. Better By Far, a filly by Golden Slipper winner Farnan in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, is the big threat behind two progressive trials, cruising home in the latest by nearly three lengths. 6. Sambuca Sky is by Portland Sky in a shrewd provincial yard and has trialled OK. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Rubelin, a Dubbo-based filly by All Too Hard who is drawn to get a soft run inside.
How to play it: Savage Look to win.

RACE 2

7. Spenzalot is a tough four-year-old trained on the track with so much more to offer than his modest strike rate suggests. Has beaten all but the winner in his last two from off speed, but gets a more economical run this time from a low draw and a month between runs. Well weighted too with a 3kg claim coming back from provincial opposition. 2. Southerly Buster is a stablemate of the top selection and will likely jump favourite, dropping down significantly from tougher metropolitan grade, but still a shade under the odds from the draw. 4. She’s Got Teeth is hard fit, and comes off a dominant country BM 58 win, while 5. So You Ready after four mixed runs this prep in provincial company, and 6. Flaming Moon who drew the fence, and reloads behind an easy win in a weak race, can both run into the money.
How to play it: Spenzalot to win.

RACE 3

6. On One is another local debutante by Zousain primed to strike for a leading stable. Liked his trial on the Beamont track where he was taken on early up front, but still worked clear late under a good hold, running a quicker time for the 1000m than any other open class trialler that session. Fitted to be strong at both ends. Rival home tracker 3. Are You Kidding shapes as the most talented and progressive runner after a strong closing effort on debut as a well backed favourite, but wouldn’t be diving into too short a price on this map. 12. Silent Serenade drew the fence, and has a race fitness advantage third-up 4. Giddy Up Griff, a first starter by Exceedance who has trialled well, and 7. Sailors Rock, a stablemate of the top selection who is drawn low and starts in blinkers, both go through trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: On One to win.

RACE 4

8. Perfect Force, a filly by Lonhro in the Nathan Doyle stable at Newcastle, can continue the trend for first starters. Fitted with two provincial trials over 1000m, the latest showed early speed before taken back in the straight and angled wider, then sweeping through the line over the final 100m under an impressive hold. Looks well-educated. 5. St Faith’s draws out, but is trained here, and given two solid trials for her first run since late last autumn. 1. Proclivity is a market watch resuming off a lengthy spell for a second prep in the new home track stable. 3. Diva Rouge resuming off a handy trial, and 7. Equitable second-up are both knock-out chances at good odds.
How to play it: Perfect Force to win.

RACE 5

3. Typhoon Bassett is a three-year-old by boom sire Wootton Bassett on debut for the local Annabel and Rob Archibald stable. Was good through the line in a recent country trial, and will be forward enough to run this journey out at first attempt. 1. Almonzo returns for a second prep off two soft trials, and showed enough in two provincial runs last time to be a threat. 2. Purple Haze is a mile over the odds second-up from a handy cover draw. 6. Zecchini is right in the mix third-up over more ground after hitting the line impressively at Muswellbrook. Expect improvement second start from well-bred mare 4. Canadian Fling from the Waterhouse-Bott yard after an even effort on debut at the provincials, while stablemate 7. Fearn Trick is lightly raced, and a natural betting watch resuming for a second prep behind two trials.
How to play it: Typhoon Bassett to win.

RACE 6

5. Ghaznavi is a tough-finishing home tracker who can claim a second win from four starts this campaign getting up to the mile in what is an open race. Did his best work late in a handy CL2 before impressing late when beating all bar the winner at BM 58 level after having a torrid run from the gate. Already a winner here, and will relish getting back on the long and open stretch. 3. Shutter is trained on the course, and ready to peak second-up after charging home from the back at Muswellbrook when having her first run in 23 weeks. 1. Dwayne reloads 23 days after a dominant country maiden win, but has to get across from a wide barrier. 8. Questionable is a hard fit local mare who draws the inside deep into the prep. 6. Damascus Gate fourth-up, and 9. Wicked Games who wasn’t far off the top selection last time out, can both add plenty of value into wider exotics.
How to play it: Ghaznavi to win.

RACE 7

2. Vierville, a well-bred four-year-old in the local Cavanough stable, represents terrific value in a tough race, returning for his first run since last winter. No official trials, but has been in work for some time, draws to get plenty of cover, and won on the fresher side last autumn in Queensland. 4. Mirai San is a progressive enough local, and tracking towards a second career win fourth-up despite a tricky draw. 5. Quick Sharp did best to win a modest BM 58 second-up at Armidale, but more depth here and up 2.5kg in weight. 3. Set To Prophet has won his last two from on or near the speed, while 12. Josephine can improve sharply second-up.
How to play it: Vierville to win.

RACE 8

8. Nevermista is a locally trained five-year-old bursting to win again after being placed in five runs since early last spring. Missed by a head after tracking the speed in a BM 58 10 days ago, and the drop back to the scamper trip is a big plus. 5. Signatories resumes at home off a 23-week spell, with no public trials, but was competitive in much tougher CL2 Highway company last time out. 1. Beyond My Ken is trained here, and just missed first-up at Taree when well in the market, although a far stronger and more experienced jockey gives way to a 2kg apprentice. 4. Mr Trackside, resuming with blinkers back on, and 9. Bethsheba second-up, are clear best of the rest.
How to play it: Nevermista to win.