| What | Dark Jewel Classic Day 2022 |
| Where | Scone Racing Club – Bunnan Rd, Scone NSW 2337 |
| When | Saturday, May 14, 2022 |
| Feature Race | Race 8: Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) |
| First Race | 11:05am AEST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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The Scone Cup Carnival continues this weekend for the club’s standalone Saturday metropolitan meeting, where 10 races will be run and won. HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing analyst presents his best bets for the five feature races, as well as a best bet for the program and some quaddie numbers. The track is rated a Soft 5, while the rail is out 3m from the 800m to the winning post and then back to the true position for the remainder of the course. The first of 10 races is scheduled to jump at 11:05am AEST.
Listed Woodlands Stakes Best Bet – In Secret
The Blue Army have a good record during the Scone Cup Carnival, with the likes of Trekking and Osbourne Bulls using the meeting in recent years to springboard into successful Group 1 campaigns. Although In Secret is only a two-year-old, the filly by I Am Invincible looks to have Group-level potential following a nice win on debut at Hawkesbury. From the inside alley, Hugh Bowman will have the unbeaten galloper in a nice spot and she should be able to win again.
Woodlands Stakes Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#3 In Secret (1)
2yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Hugh Bowman (56kg)
$3.40 with Ladbrokes
Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes Best Bet – Stellar Magic
Can the in-form Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted stable can continue their hot form in New South Wales? We certainly think so. In the Denise’s Joy Stakes, the Queensland duo combine with Jason Collett with Stellar Magic, who comes off a luckless fourth in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1110m) at Doomben on April 23. The flashy chestnut filly had no luck that day but looked to be bolting in behind the leaders without anywhere to go. She now goes to 1100m and finds herself on a big track that will suit, while the booking of Collett is certainly a good one. She looks value.
Denise’s Joy Stakes Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#8 Stellar Magic (4)
3yo Filly | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Jason Collett (55kg)
$31 with Palmerbet
Listed Luskin Star Stakes – Andermatt
We made a point of Godolphin having a good record at Scone, and this race is proof of that. They have won three of the past four editions of the Luskin Star, with Osbourne Bulls, Trekking and Ranier winning three consecutive editions in 2018, 2019 and 2020, before the classy Lost And Running won for John O’Shea in 2022. Andermatt looks to be all class, winning his past three starts in dominant fashion. The in-form sprinter is one of the boom horses in Australia at the minute, and we expect him to extend his winning streak and return the Luskin Star to Godolphin’s trophy cabinet.
Luskin Star Stakes Best Bet
Race 7 – #4 Andermatt (14)
3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Rachel King (54.5kg)
$1.80 with Bet365
Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic – La Gai Soleil
John O’Shea has a classy mare on his hands here with La Gai Soleil, who starts favourite in a very open race. The $5.50 chance was a good winner when first-up in February, before having her colours lowered in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick on March 5. With a bit of a freshen and two trials since, the daughter of Tavistock looks ready to return to the winner’s circle and make it win seven at start 16. She gets all the favours from barrier seven and only has to carry 53kg, so we expect her to win.
Dark Jewel Classic Best Bet
Race 8 – 
#16 La Gai Soleil (7)
5yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea | J: Kerrin McEvoy (53kg)
$5.50 with PlayUp
Listed Ortensia Stakes Best Bet – Malkovich
If Andermatt gets a start in this, we are with him – but he is currently an emergency and guaranteed a start in the earlier race. If he doesn’t line up, we want to be with Malkovich, who can simply jump, lead and win from the inside alley. The Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter has had a brilliant preparation, winning the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes at Flemington in March before finishing near the tail of the field in The Galaxy at his subsequent start. Last time out, he led everywhere bar the post in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush when gobbled up by Tycoonist. He looks the one to run down.
Ortensia Stakes Best Bet
Race 9 – 
#3 Malkovich (1)
4yo Horse | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Rachel King (58kg)
$1.80 with Neds
Best Bet at Scone – Athelric
We hope the James Cummings team are on song on Saturday, but we think they will be. In the final race of the day, Cummings and young-gun hoop Dylan Gibbons combine with Athelric, who has been brilliant in his past two starts. The three-year-old son of Exceed And Excel has been dominant in winning his last two runs at Warwick Farm. He now needs to take that form to metropolitan grade on a Saturday, but there’s nothing to suggest that he can’t. With only 58kg on his back after Gibbons’ claim and an ideal draw in barrier three, he should make it three on the trot.
Best Bet at Scone
Race 10 – #1 Athelric (3)
3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Dylan Gibbons (a3)(61kg)
$3.20 with Ladbrokes
Saturday quaddie tips for Scone
Scone quadrella selections
Saturday, May 14, 2022
- 3-4
- 1-5-15-16
- 1-2-3-18
- 1-5-8
Investment: $96 for 100%
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