The 2015 Scone Cup field has been released and the Godolphin operation are set to have Malice, San Diego and Medcaut in the Listed event on Friday afternoon.
San Diego is one of three Godolphin-trained runners in the 2015 Scone Cup on Friday afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Malice started his autumn preparation with a very close second behind Excess Knowledge in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and he did not have any luck in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 18, but had no excuses when seventh in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens last weekend.
San Diego has performed consistently this preparation since he returned to racing with a fast-finishing victory at Rosehill Gardens on February 21 and he went close to returning to winning form when he was beaten by You’ll Never in the One Solutions Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 9, while Medcaut failed to fire in the same race.
Another trainer that will have multiple runners in the Scone Cup field is former Darley head trainer Peter Snowden, who won last year’s edition of the Scone Cup with Cameo, and he has included both Lucky Lago and Great Esteem in the acceptances for the race.
Lucky Lago has struggled to fire her best form this preparation and was disappointing after being well-backed in the Tab.com.au Handicap (1600m) at Warwick Farm on May 6, while Great Esteem returned to racing with a credible fifth at Hawkesbury on May 2.
Pheidon beat Lucky Lago to take out the Tab.com.au Handicap and the Alister Clark Stakes winner will have the opportunity to record back-to-back wins for the first time since he started his racing career with wins at Wyong and Rosehill Gardens.
Monton chased home Pheidon last Wednesday and the veteran gelding will carry the top weight of 59 kilograms in the Scone Cup this year.
The son of Catbird is yet to record a race win this preparation, but he was arguably the run of the race at Warwick Farm last week and he is sure to produce an improved performance on a slightly firmer track.
One of the most interesting runners in the 2015 Scone Cup field is imported galloper Tales Of Grimm, who will be ridden by jockey Craig Williams following the suspension of regular hoop Kerrin McEvoy.
Tales Of Grimm stamped himself as a horse to watch when he made his Australian racing debut with a most impressive win at Rosehill Gardens on February 7, but he was unable to replicate that performance in the Blackwoods Bosch Blue Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 21 and he was slightly flat at Royal Randwick on April 18.
Strawberry Boy (barrier five), Kourkam (barrier one), Kaypers (barrier nine), Evangelist (barrier 14), Darci Magic (barrier 11), Great Esteem (barrier 12), Frespanol (barrier eight), Excited Prince (barrier 13) and Ode To Caitlin (barrier five) round out the 2015 Scone Cup field.
