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

7 hours ago 4

By John Schell

July 10, 2025 — 4.42pm

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

6. Nova Centauri is a filly by Rubic that made her debut at Mudgee in February when running second. She resumes from a spell here without a trial, but the 1000m should suit, and she can go one better. Smart Buy is a stablemate of Nova Centauri, and she was placed in her second and third starts at Dubbo and this track in her only racing preparation. She has the talent to show up here. 9. Head Kahuna is a locally trained galloper on debut and has had two recent trials in preparation for this, finishing second in the last of them at this track. 1. Nugget Smart ran well when third at Tamworth last time out and another placing would not surprise.
How to play it: Nova Centauri to win.

Race 2

1. Miss Rebel has shown her share of ability in her career. She fought to the line well enough when a last-start third at Muswellbrook and that followed a run at this track in Saturday metropolitan company when midfield. 2. Chidiac impressed when winning her first three starts before being beaten just over 2.5 lengths in a Highway event at Randwick and then being spelled. She’s a trial winner leading into this. 3. Soobooco comes into this on the back of a last-start Coffs Harbour win, while 6. Move She Can is a last-start Tamworth placegetter that can be in the minor money again.
How to play it: Miss Rebel to win.

Race 3

1. Ballinderry Sal won in good style at this track in March before scoring in Highway grade at Randwick in April. She hasn’t raced since a sixth at Muswellbrook in May and is ready to sprint well fresh here with the apprentice claim. 2. Solitario has won two in a row at this track since resuming from a spell and looks hard to hold out again. 5. Ilovenews fought on well for a last-start second at this track and has the talent to show up again. 4. Hollywood Gold disappointed at Tamworth when last produced but can improve on that.
How to play it: Ballinderry Sal to win.

Race 4

9. Crimson Wings is a Trapeze Artist filly having her first start after two trials. She won the most recent of them at Canterbury and is set to run well here on the back of that. 8. Bird Whistle is also on debut and is a trial winner leading into this. 5. Beast Of Burden resumes here for a new stable and has had two trials in preparation for a bold fresh effort. 2. Sipping Shamus is a first-starter and ran third in his only trial at this track.
How to play it: Crimson Wings to win.

Race 5

9. Grainne has had three starts and ran her best race yet when a last-start second at Kembla Grange. She has upside and can break through with a win in this company. 5. Tarrant County hit the line well for a last-start placing at Narromine and has the talent to get into the placings again. 1. Ghaznavi is on the quick back-up after a second at Mudgee on Sunday and can be placed again. 12. Beached As Bro was not disgraced at Bathurst last time out and could sneak a placing.
How to play it: Grainne to win.

Race 6

2. Grandini has hit winning form of late. She ran second to Zelestial at Tamworth two starts ago and has since scored strong victories at Dubbo and Bathurst, charging home late to arrive in time in the latest of them. The step up in distance should suit in this and she should get a good run from this inside gate. 4. Zelestial hit the line well for a fifth at Muswellbrook following her Tamworth win, and she backed that up with another strong win at Coffs Harbour last time out. She should be in the finish again. 3. Off The Scale won by a big margin at Port Macquarie when last produced and should be prominent, while 7. Bellini Spritz has only missed a place once from five starts and warrants respect.
How to play it: Grandini each way.

Race 7

1. Panta Rhei is lightly raced with just the four starts to her name, but she has a good record with a win and two placings. She resumed from a spell with a third at this track when racing on the speed and fighting on well and followed that up with a close-up fourth again at this track. She should take plenty of beating in this. 2. Ready And Lucky resumed from a spell and ran third in the same race Panta Rhei contested last time out. She can race well again with a repeat of that. 3. Wild Sensation was a winner at Canberra in April. He comes into this on the back of a last-start second at Nowra and looms as a chance again. 4. Cresta Run also comes out of the same race as Panta Rhei and Ready And Lucky when charging home to finish second in that event. Another bold showing is on the cards here.
How to play it: Panta Rhei to win.