Scone trainer using Quirindi meeting as warm up for home carnival
Five days out from his home Cup and stand-alone carnival, Scone trainer Scott Singleton is eying a potential treble at Monday's feature Quirindi meeting.
Fresh from five individual winners from their last 20 runners, the Singleton yard is hoping to pick up from where it left off at this track a fortnight ago.
That day, well-backed Enterprise Lassie led home a strong result in a Benchmark 58 Hcp over the mile, with the stable also recording a luckless and close second placings, and two thirds.
Two of the placed runners from that meeting are on show at Quirindi in very suitable races.
Insightful Award, a talented five-year-old mare by 2013 Cox Plate winner Shaus Award, lines up in a strong BM 66 Hcp over 1200m.
Loading
Already with a 25 per cent win rate from 12 starts, Insightful Award was very stiff not to win here a fortnight ago in a weaker BM 58 when she had to weave through traffic before hitting the line late to only miss by a half-length.
Despite stepping up in grade and having drawn the outside barrier, she looks ready to fire on her preferred soft surface, with 2kg-claiming apprentice Leeshelle Small keeping the ride.
Singleton's best hope is likely to emerge in the opening race, with tough three-year-old Wanavan primed to break through fifth-up in a Maiden Plate over 1000m.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Warwick Farm preview: Key factors to help Bjorn Baker's mare Starmae
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance is coming along but said wants further than the 1600m of the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap. 'He will go to 1900 metres at his third start and will be better suited.'
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Bjorn Baker is optimistic in Starmae's chances with weight advantage and an ideal barrier
Trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping a drop in grade and weight can help Starmae get back to winning form when she steps out on her home track. The four-year-old has been good in his three starts this preparation including her last two runs in Saturday metropolitan company when fifth to Memoria at Randwick and seventh to Oh Diamond Lil at the Scone stand-alone meeting on May 17 Starmae carried 56kg and 57kg respectively in those two races and drops down to 54.5kg after the claim of apprentice Olivia Chambers in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). 'This is a good race for her. It's a drop back in grade after running in Saturday grade in her last two where she acquitted herself well,' said Baker. 'She gets a good drop in weight with Olivia's claim and she is one from one on this mare having won at Wyong last year. It was an easy watch for the supporters of Starmae as she shakes her maiden tag! @ZacLloydx @BBakerRacing @MyRacehorseAU â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2024 'Starmae galloped outstanding on Saturday. She was really sharp. 'She may have just taken a couple of runs to get to her peak but this is a good scenario over 1300m again, back in grade, lovely gate (barrier 4) and no weight. 'This is her race to run well.' Baker also saddles up consistent gelding Bat Out Of Hell in the same race where he has drawn barrier 11 but feels he will be better suited once he steps up over a little further. 'He probably needs 1400m and 1500m but he has to start somewhere,' he said. 'He is a horse who always tries his hardest and he has trialled better this time in better than he has in previous preparations. 'We're confident he is going to have a good preparation. Whether it's this week or whether he just gets run under his belt and he'll be ready to go.' Baker was looking forward to seeing Swordplay make her debut at Canterbury last week but she was a late scratching after getting her leg up in the barriers. The daughter of Shalaa has shown plenty of ability and speed to lead all-the-way for big wins in her two barrier trials under Rachel King. 'This is obviously 'Take Two' after she was scratched at the barriers last Wednesday which was unfortunate,' he said. 'She's a lovely, promising filly and she couldn't be any more professional than she has been in her trials.' “VANESSI streaking clear…wins brilliantlyâ€� 🎙ï¸� The 3 year old daughter of Too Darn Hot dropped back to 1100m second up and breaks her maiden with a perfect @nashhot ride! @cwallerracing @RBloodstock @mmsnippets â€' Star Thoroughbreds (@StarTbreds) December 13, 2024 Swordplay has drawn barrier 6 in the TAB Handicap (1100m) with King aboard. 'She has good speed and should roll forward to settle in the first few. Hopefully she brings her trials form to race day,' Baker said. Baker also has Jarrito set to debut in the same race. The daughter of I Am Invincible and Group 1 winner Spright has placed in both trials but will improve with race experience according to Baker. 'She is lovely filly who is still a little bit raw but has done enough in her trials to say she is ready to go to the races,' he said. 'She is definitely going to be better for the run but she is an exciting filly. 'She has drawn an ideal gate and she will hopefully get a smother just behind the speed. She has got a really nice turn of foot.' Baker was pleased with Regimental Colours in her first campaign where she placed in two of her three runs at Canterbury and is looking forward to her return in the Hitotsu At Arrowfield Plate (1100m). 'She has improved a lot both mentally and physically from what she did that preparation,' he said. 'Her trials have been good and while she is open to improvement, she is there to run well.' â– â– â– â– â– Well-bred filly Manaajem kicked off her career with a win and trainer Peter Snowden is quietly confident she can start her second campaign the same way. A three-quarter sister to recent Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Charm Stone and a full sister to Snowden's dual Listed winner Najmaty, Manaajem showed nice ability winning her two trials before debuting with a big win at Wyong on December 31. After pulling up lame when fifth to Alliri on the Kensington 15 days later and was spelled. 'She was just immature and jarred up in her knees,' said Snowden. 'That's why we gave her a good spell and she seems a lot stronger this time in. We have had no issues with her at all.' The daughter of Tassort has trialled stylishly ahead of her return in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1100m) when she has drawn barrier 3 with Tommy Berry aboard. Another smart one for TASSORTðŸ�°ðŸ'¥ The @EmiratesPark bred & raced MANAAJEM is individual winner no.21 for her sire, scoring first time asking after 2 previous trial wins🚀 Royally bred with the talent to matchðŸ'° Congratulations to the @SnowdenRacing1 team & all winning… â€' Newgate (@NewgateFarm) December 31, 2024 'Both her trials have been quite good. We have always thought quite a bit of her and we are pleased with the way she has come back,' Snowden said. 'She has a good draw and Tommy has ridden her in nearly all her work and in her trials. 'We are quietly confident she can run well.' Snowden was hoping to get a maiden win on the board for Catonahotinroof at Canberra last start but things didn't go to plan when she missed the start by seven or eight lengths before finishing less than three lengths behind Celestial Breeze in fifth place. 'She just hopped up in the air as the gates opened and lost all chance,' Snowden said. 'She still ran a slashing race to finish as close as she did.' The three-year-old was sent back to the trials where she came from last to beat Wonderstorm at Warwick Farm on May 26 and will make her presence felt in the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m). 'She trialled really well the other day. She handles the soft track without any problems,' said Snowden. 'That might play into her hands a little bit this week. 'She has been up a while but is still in good shape and certainly capable of running well.' Snowden is happy with the way Earth Dance Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Handicap.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Race-by-race preview and tips for Tuesday meeting at Kembla Grange
Selections based on a heavy track. Race 1 8. Just Like Tilda is a Divine Prophet filly on debut, and she comes into this on the back of a third in a Warwick Farm trial last month. She looks like she has talent, and this is a suitable race for her to start her career in. 3. Kowloon Victor is also on debut and has looked good in each of his two trials, finishing second in each of them. He's in a top stable and bears close watching. 4. Beauty Dash is a four-year-old mare having her first race start. She's had three trials, the latest of them when fourth at Warwick Farm on May 22. She bears close watching. 6. Doralee has had two runs back from a spell and performed well in each of them. A forward showing would not surprise. How to play it: Just Like Tilda EACH WAY Race 2 3. Empress Tsarina had shown enough talent in trials before having her first start during the Scone carnival and finishing a solid fourth behind I Am Brave. She's drawn ideally here in gate two and should have derived benefit from that experience. Another good run is on the cards. 1. Strassman ran well enough when fifth here when resuming and followed that up with a sound third at this track. He since ran fifth at Goulburn as favourite but is worth another chance. 2. Bohemian Art ran second on debut at Newcastle and then finished fifth here last time out when safely held. She needs to lift but is capable of doing so. 7. Awaken The Dream resumes in this and can lift on her debut effort at Newcastle in December. How to play it: Empress Tsarina WIN Race 3 2. Navy Buoy has only had five starts but has been placed in three of them. He comes into this on the back of a fourth at this track and the step up in distance looks made to order. 1. Ant ran home well when a last start third at Canterbury and only needs to run up to that to be a leading chance here. 3. So Suave is lightly raced and looks an improver, while 6. Garinion Righ was close-up at Goulburn at her latest start and can figure. How to play it: Navy Buoy WIN Race 4 9. Calyx Rose hit her straps winning at Cowra and Newcastle at the end of her initial campaign, and she resumes here. She's had two trials and looks set to resume with another bold showing having been close-up in each of them. 3. Il Passero has two wins and two placings from four runs back from a spell and is worth plenty of thought. 2. Invade And Conquer went down narrowly when second here last time out, while 1. Hot Bandit has been racing well enough to pose a threat. How to play it: Calyx Rose EACH WAY
