Scone Cup Day preview, best bets & quaddie tips | Friday, 12/5/23
| What | Scone Cup Day 2023 |
| Where | Scone Race Club – 434 Bunnan Rd, Scone NSW 2337 |
| When | Friday, May 12, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:25pm AEST |
New South Wales racing heads to the east, as Scone plays host to a massive eight-race program with the $200,000 Scone Cup the feature event of the afternoon. An intriguing collective of two-year-olds will also take to the track in their bid for the 2YO Inglis Challenge (1100m).
We’re expecting a Good 4 surface for punters with a favourable forecast predicted leading into race-day. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit; however, is out +3m from the 1000m chute. Racing is set to get underway at 12:25pm AEST.
Scone Cup Top Tip: Sunshine Rising
This year’s edition of the Scone Cup is an absolute ripper and will see the winner go home with the $200,000 prize and Big Dance eligibility for later in the year. Sunshine Rising gets the verdict for us coming out of some supreme form-lines heading into this 1600m feature. He kicked off his campaign back in February at Sandown in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup and has only missed the frame on one occasion since. That was his latest start at Randwick on April 15 in the Group 3 JRA Plate when running into bottomless conditions, which he’s never performed on here in Australia, or abroad in his Hong Kong racing career. We like the one-month freshen between runs and has a quality minor placings behind the likes of Protagonist and Zeyrek this preparation, both of which have been competitive in Group 1 company. Joshua Parr takes the reins and although Sunshine Rising must carry the top weight to victory, with a nice enough draw, we’re confident he’ll give us a bold sight at a good price with online bookmakers.
Scone Cup
Race 7 – 
#1 Sunshine Rising (7)
9yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Joshua Parr (60.5kg)
Inglis 2YO Challenge Top Tip: Cosy Corner
On exposed form it seems a tough task finding the winner of this competitive two-year-old contest; however, we think Cosy Corner is a good bet after her debut performance. She was excellent when running into second behind Fludway on April 22 at Newcastle, powering to the line after tracking wide on the course. She was first-up over the 900m and it was simply too short for this daughter of Cable Bay who should only improve with racing under her belt. The 1100m looks ideal for a second-up tilt, and although barrier 10 poses a tricky task for jockey Jeff Penza, so long as he gains some cover on Cosy Corner, she has the upside to take down her opposition here. She looks like a nice type moving forward and it looks like the Paul Perry yard will have fun placing her in the future regardless of Friday’s result.
Inglis 2YO Challenge
Race 4 – 
#8 Cosy Corner (10)
2yo Filly | T: Paul Perry | J: Jeff Penza (54.5kg)
Best Bet at Scone: Azayaka
Azayaka did enough on debut to suggest she can improve into her second run this preparation and the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou training duo have found a nice race on Friday afternoon. It’s a maiden over the 1000m and this daughter of More Than Ready will be trying to make every post a winner. That’s what she attempted to do on April 25 at Gosford but didn’t muster speed, forcing jockey James Innes (Jnr) to kick up and use Azayaka early to gain the lead. It meant she had nothing left for the sprint home but wasn’t disgraced running into second by less than a length. Tim Clark picks up the ride this time and from barrier seven will look to ping the lids and maintain a steady tempo throughout, before unleashing Azayaka to go one better.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Azayaka (7)
3yo Filly | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Tim Clark (58.5kg)
Next Best at Scone: Aldeenaary
Aldeenaary must be considered one of the more intriguing runners on the Scone program as he makes his Australian debut for the John O’Shea yard. He’s had a total of four barrier trials since his arrival from Europe and although the placings don’t look flattering, we think the jump-outs have been sneaky good from this son of Awtaad. He’s a lightly-raced five-year-old with just one start for one win to his name and despite the fact he’s had 280-days off, we’re confident Aldeenaary can be competitive in Class 1 company. The placement by trainer John O’Shea shows great intent as well, being first-up and electing to run over the 1600m tells us he’s looking to get this guy off to a winning start to his Australian campaign. Joshua Parr takes the mount and even with the 61.5kg on his back, we think Aldeenaary will be right in this first-up assignment.
Next Best
Race 3 – 
#2 Aldeenaary (10)
5yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea | J: Joshua Parr (61.5kg)
Friday quaddie tips for Scone
Scone quadrella selections
Friday, May 12, 2023
- 1-2-5-6-7-13
- 2-4-7-11-15
- 1-3-4-7-9
- 1-2-4-5-9
Investment: $750 for 100%