By John Schell
The Annabel Neasham juggernaut heads to Scone on Tuesday with the stable represented by four strong chances in three races.
Neasham lines up promising filly Nettles in the www.widden.com ‘Australia’s Leading Vendor’ Maiden Handicap (1200m) with Alysha Collett aboard.
Trainer Annabel Neasham.Credit: Getty
Nettles finished fourth on debut at Newcastle last preparation before running third at Mudgee, fifth at Nowra and then being spelled. She had two trials before resuming, in what has proven a strong form race, with a fourth at Wyong behind River Pat.
Draco’s Fire and Resurrected will be the Neasham runners in the Scone Equine Hospital Maiden Plate (1400m). Stefano Cherchi and Robbie Downey take the respective mounts.
Draco’s Fire has had only one start, which resulted in a second at Bathurst behind Bit Of Banter. Resurrected has had six starts, the latest of them at Canterbury when a close-up fifth.
Debut winner Sabana is Neasham’s runner in the Pryde’s Class 1 Handicap (1400m). Collett sticks with her, having been aboard in her Nowra win.
Sabana will clash with the talented Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich trained Newcastle debut winner Know Thyself.
Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will send a small team to Scone but is hopeful of success.
Lees will have Elleves in the Championship Preview – Class 4 Handicap (1200m) with Christian Reith taking the ride.
Elleves won three races on end last campaign at Tamworth, Scone and Tuncurry, before failing at Newcastle and then being spelled. Elleves has been given two quiet trials in preparation for his return to racing.
Lees will also have Dashing Power in the Scone Equine Hospital Maiden Plate (1400m) with Andrew Gibbons in the saddle. Dashing Power has had two runs back from a spell for a fourth at Gosford and a last-start eighth at Tamworth when beaten just over two lengths as favourite.
The final Lees runner at Scone is emergency Akauwheo, which has gained a start in the Pryde’s Class 1 Handicap (1400m) with Darryl McLellan booked for the assignment.
Akauwheo is also resuming from a spell on the back of two trials.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
