Ray Thomas' Blackbook: Five to follow from Scone

The Australian

18-05-2025

Ray Thomas reviews Saturday's stand-alone meeting at Scone, revealing the horses punters can follow with confidence at their next starts.
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FIVE TO FOLLOW
OH DIAMOND LIL (0.9-length 1st of 12, Race 4) had been trialling up a storm prior to her return at Scone. She had never won first-up previously and was vulnerable at 1300m but she settled nicely in behind the leaders until the top of the straight where she seized control of the race and drew clear for a comfortable win. Oh Diamond Lil is an emerging mare and will only improve the deeper she goes into her preparation.
SPANISH FOX (2-length 3rd of 15, Race 6) won five races in succession when last in work and his second-up effort at Scone when third to ZEALOUSLY in very fast time was encouraging. He is ready to win in the right grade next start.
AKAYSHA (1.4-length 3rd of 16, Race 3) drew wide and was ridden conservatively early, drifting back to near last in the Woodland Stakes. On the home turn, she was in front of only one horse and simply had too much to do but still ran on strongly to finish third. Talented filly and is a stakes-winner in waiting.
GENTILESCHI (0.1-length 2nd of 15, Race 5) was having only her second run back and was out to 1700m but her effort to finish the closest of seconds was eye-catching. She charged home wide out to just miss at Scone and will be at her peak next start.
Godolphin fillies THAMES (0.6-length 3rd of 15, Race 7) and PHOTOGRAPH (1.8-length 9th of 15, Race 7) had no luck in the Denise's Joy Stakes. Thames struck trouble on the turn before charging home to lose by only a half length. Photograph never got clear galloping room in the straight and wasn't tested before finishing ninth, beaten less than two lengths.
WHINCHAT (0.2-length 2nd of 15, Race 10) was having his first start in over a year and set track record-breaking pace in front only to be collared in the final few bounds by the race-fit and in-form THE INSTRUCTOR in the Luskin Star Stakes. Whinchat can only be improved by his game comeback run.
• Melody Again delivers career high for Singleton in Dark Jewel
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CRUNCH TIME
ZEALOUSLY (Race 6) gave a brilliant display of sustained speed to score a commanding win. He was hand-timed to run the Scone 1100m in 1m 02.13s – no horse has ever gone faster over the course and distance.
CABALLUS (Race 8) showed impressive acceleration to reel in tough frontrunner The Novelist to win the Ortensia Stakes. Caballus was timed to run his final 300m in a tick over 33s.
MELODY AGAIN (Race 9) broke the race record to win the Dark Jewel Classic, recording 1m 21.23s for the Scone 1400m. Her winning time was only a tick outside the track record of 1m 21.12s that was set by Cavalier Charles three years ago.
STARDOM (Race 3) set a new race record for the Woodland Stakes when she ran the 1100m in 1m 03.07s, breaking the previous standard set by dual Group 1 winner In Secret of 1m 03.75s.
THE INSTRUCTOR (Race 10) set another race record when he won the Luskin Star Stakes, stopping the clock at 1m 14.41s for the Scone 1300m. He broke the previous mark by 0.08s.
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WHAT THEY SAID
'That is like our Melbourne Cup. I thought if Melody Again had any chance of winning a race like this it would be at home and when she was at the top of her game.' — Trainer Scott Singleton.
'I always love riding for Scott, I respect him as a trainer and more so as a friend. He's been very good to me. I haven't been riding a lot but he is always giving me opportunities so it's a special moment to win this race on Melody Again.' — Jockey Christian Reith.
'I rode Caballus work during the week and when you get the chance to sit on him, you understand why they have such a high opinion of the horse.' — Jockey Ashley Morgan.
'In this class of race we expected Summer Flame to get back and I was just going to hold her together. But she jumped so well and got into a lovely rhythm. The further we went the better she travelled. Coming to the turn she was on the bit looking for somewhere to go. We got the run through on straightening and away she went.' — Jockey Jeff Penza.
'If you look at Oh Diamond Lil, physically she still has to develop which makes it so exciting as there is more improvement in her.' — Trainer David Pfeiffer.
'Generally, Gai and Adrian's horses progress out over further once they start racing so they deserve a lot of credit for bringing Stardom back to 1100m.'' — Jockey Adam Hyeronimus.
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STEWARDS SAY
CABALLUS (Race 8) was found to have bled from both nostrils after winning the Ortensia Stakes and has incurred a three-month ban from racing. RENOSU, who ran eighth behind Caballus, was also found to have bled and is out of racing for three months.
THAMES (Race 7) improved into a tight run between WAVE BREAKER and SHOHISHA on the turn then was buffeted between those runners. Due to contact on its hindquarter Shohisha was then turned out into the running of Thames, resulting in Thames becoming badly unbalanced before that filly ran on strongly for third.
PHOTOGRAPH (Race 7) ran only ninth but was very unlucky. After passing the 200m she was checked when disappointed for a run between LADY OLENNA and GERRINGONG. Photograph then had difficulty obtaining clear running, before being held up over the final 50m and went to the line without being fully tested.
GENTILESCHI (Race 5) finishing powerfully wide out to just miss behind Cormac T. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, the connections of Gentileschi requested to view the official photo finish for first placing. Once Stewards were satisfied there was a margin between Cormac T and Gentileschi, correct weight was declared.
JUMEIRAH BEACH (Race 1) was slow to begin and was then shuffled back near the rear of the field when awkwardly placed on heels. Jumeirah Beach was not suited when the race developed into a sprint home from the 600m.
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RON DUFFICY'S SCONE SNAPSHOT
RUN OF THE DAY: Caballus had been nurtured back to health and was terrific winning with dominance first-up looking like a possible Stradbroke type. Unfortunately his campaign come to an abrupt halt with him being found to have bled from both nostrils so they have to start from scratch again.
FORGET THEY RAN: Thames didn't have the best of luck in the Denise's Joy Stakes never really getting balanced and should have made it interesting.
HORSE TO FOLLOW: Oh Diamand Lil and been carefully handled by trainer David Pfieffer working through the grades. She is a mare that is ready to take the next step into black type grade.
RIDE OF THE DAY: Jace McMurray is a new name to Sydney racing after having a good grounding with nice success on the Gold Coast. He looked very polished with his winning ride on Fiorsum Fred and should get more opportunities fall his way.
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NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday: Corowa, Port Macquarie
Tuesday: Newcastle, Tamworth
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Wyong
Friday: Inverell
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle
Sunday: Gunnedah, Nowra