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

RACE 1 - 1.35PM: GET YOUR KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS COUNTRY MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)

We kick off a strong program with the maidens, and local four-year-old gelding 1. Banju, trained by Lyle Chandler, can break through over the longer journey after banging on the door all prep. Was only beaten by highly-touted Commanding Missile here third-up, and has never finished further back than second in four starts.

Dangers: Well-bred three-year-old home-track colt 8. Tempel One resumes from a soft draw off two trials; while watch the betting on another local, four-year-old mare 7. Morwella, who resumes for only her third start for strong stable off a quiet trial behind ultra smart Fender.
How to play it: Banju to win.
Odds and Evens: Split.

RACE 2 - 2.10PM: DARLEY CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2200m)

Now the stayers' turn, and as always tempo is key. Hard to believe honest and hard fit Taree five year-old 6. Phylave from the Tess Wilkes stable is still without a win after 33 starts, but the long wait can end here. Has been going around in deeper maidens, and only needs to reproduce his late closing effort behind Wild Sheila at Newcastle to win this.
Dangers: Hawkesbury five-year-old 1. Black Star Bowie has been up for a long time, and it's even longer since he won his maiden. Has been close-up in his last two in deeper races, and is the obvious threat first time out over this distance. Newcastle four-year-old 5. Omaka is ready for this journey too after working home late over the mile at Wyong, and gets a little weight relief.
How to play it: Phylave to win and quinella 1 and 6.
Odds and Evens: Split a special.

RACE 3 - 2.50PM: YARRAMAN PARK MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)

Back we come for the maiden sprinters in a very competitive affair. Four-year-old local mare 1. Crystal Falls trained by John Ramsey is the one to beat. Hit the line hard in a big effort here a fortnight ago after missing the kick when heavily backed, and that was her first run in a year. Destined for bigger prizes, and gets in very well at the weights after young rider's full claim.
Dangers: Newcastle four-year-old 2. My Naughty Boy had no luck in a strong maiden here on that same day weaving home between runners with little room late. Down 1.5kg for this, but will likely drift well back from a wide barrier. Newcastle filly 12. Meydan Lass has trialled well ahead of her return after five months, and the Pride Of Dubai stock are going great guns. Big market watch on Wyong mare 3. Lexa (Choisir x Liamena by Not a Single Doubt) on debut off two handy metro trials, and top country hoop takes the ride. Must include local three-year-old colt 6. Freedom Square (Panzer Division x Anadan by Anabaa) who steps out for first time off a smart trial win and Muswellbrook filly 10. Lionsteps who flashed home late in that same maiden as My Naughty Boy, and extra trip looks ideal.
How to play it: Crystal Falls to win and first four 1,2,12/1,2,3,12/1,2,3,6,10,12/1,2,3,6,10,12.
Odds and Evens: Split.

RACE 4 - 3.25PM: TURANGGA FARM MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m)

Out to the mile now, and that augurs well for Muswellbrook seven-year-old 6. Austinmer at big odds from the Todd Howlett yard. Hit the well here two runs back - and the second horse won at Moree on Sunday - before again finding the line late from a wide gate at Mudgee.
Dangers: Randwick three-year-old 1. Anakin Skywalker will enjoy the rise in trip after getting home late first-up at Newcastle, although the handicapper hasn't missed him with 59kg. Expect improvement from Newcastle four-year-old 2. Rainbow Man from a softer draw, although better runs are on rain-affected going, while home-track mare 7. Fightforyourright has had three runs for the new stable, and continues to improve.
How to play it: Austinimer each-way and box trifecta 1,2,6,7.
Odds and Evens: Split.

RACE 5 - 4.05PM: COOLMORE AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1600m)

Local five-year-old gelding 2. Magic Charlee from the Rod Northam stable should have nearly won here a fortnight back when held up badly down the straight. Draws a softer gate, with a significant jockey switch, and is right at his peak.
Dangers: Capable Wyong four-year-old 5. Sapphires Son bolted in his maiden at Tamworth two runs back before chasing home Holy Sunday here who was then a good thing beaten at Canberra last Friday. Draws to get a charmed run just off the speed and will be strong late. Gosford five-year-old 3. Dundee came back a long way in trip off a break and was good to the line behind Holy Sunday here. Not well treated at the weights under 60.5kg, but top country jockey goes aboard. Wyong five-year-old 1. Nitride can improve sharply coming back in grade, and big weight offset by rookie rider's 4kg claim.
How to play it: Magic Charlee to win and quinella 2 and 5.
Odds and Evens: Split.

RACE 6 - 4.40PM: ARROWFIELD STUD CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1300m)

Local staying mare 4. Cosmic Haze from the Brett Cavanough stable disappointed first-up in a Highway at Rosehill after looming on the turn, but she has plenty of quality, and looks well in at the weights considering the class drop.
Dangers: Wyong colt 7. Adios Steve has won two straight at Muswellbrook, bolting in the latest in heavy ground. Can park right behind the leaders, although the jury is out on whether he's as effective on top of the ground. Liked the way Gulgong 5YO 1. Costas hit the line in a BM 66 at Mudgee under the same weight, and a little more ground and stronger rider are plusses.
How to play it: Cosmic Haze to win Odds and Evens: Split

RACE 7 - 5.15PM: `TEAM THOROUGHBRED NSW’ BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100m)

Good sprint to close the meeting. Very keen on smart three-year-old 9. Irish Thunder again from the Lees yard resuming off two dominant trial wins. Easily beat a handy maiden field on debut at Taree in autumn, and he threatens to come back even better.
Dangers: Promising well-bred Tamworth three-year-old 10. Ice In Vancouver is the logical threat off his dominant debut win here from a wide gate when he rounded them up with ease running away. Improving Wyong mare 3. Minifinn surged home for an easy heavy track win at Gosford two back before struggling from the wide gate at Hawkesbury. Drawn to get a soft run here, but shoots up to 60kg. The first-up effort of Wyong four-year-old 1. Henschel at Taree was OK, and normally improves into his second-up run, but this is tougher and drawn off the track.
How to play it: Irish Thunder to win and quinella 9 and 10.
Odds and Evens: Split.

BEST BETS
Race 3: (1) CRYSTAL FALLS
Race 5: (2) MAGIC CHARLEE
BEST VALUE
Race 2: (6) PHYLAVE

Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au