Know Thyself sneaks into Scone Cup field
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Hometown hero Know Thyself will get his chance to capture his second feature in less than a week after sneaking into Friday's Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) field.
The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained galloper was touch-and-go to make Scone's Big Dance qualifier on Monday but gained a start after acceptances with a capacity field of 16 runners and four emergencies.
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Know Thyself is hunting a fifth consecutive victory in the feature event and will be on the six-day back-up following his victory last Saturday in Gosford's $500,000 The Coast (1600m).
He is attempting to emulate the feats of 2022 The Coast winner Rustic Steel, which backed up successfully to prevail in the Scone Cup while also scoring in the Big Dance later the following year.
Ashley Morgan, set to ride at 54kg, will retain the steer on this year's Country Championships winner with Messara looking to add another Scone Cup 15 years after he won the race on his home track with Obvious Choice.
Know Thyself opened as a clear $3.50 favourite with the bookies.
• Doomben 10,000 Day fields full of quality
The Scone Cup field is dominated by the Annabel and Rob Archibald yard with the stable a chance to saddle up as many as five starters.
The stable didn't accept with My Oberon but have a strong hand with the likes of West Of Africa ($11) and Group 1 winner Port Lockroy ($11) is among them.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has both Tavi Time ($6) and Loch Eagle ($26).
All five stakes races on Saturday's feature card have drawn capacity fields with emergencies in what is a huge for the Scone carnival's second day of racing.
Messara and Gavranich will go in search of a stakes double across the weekend with Clear Thinking in line to make her return from a short freshen-up in the Listed $200,000 Ortensia Stakes (1100m).
The Archibalds could be set for a massive weekend with Written In Code the horse to beat in the Group 3 $250,000 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
The mare landed among the emergencies in the Listed $200,000 Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) where a competitive field of 16 runners will line up, likewise the Listed $200,000 Woodlands Stakes (1100m).
Unbeaten filly Soft Love, trained by Matt Laurie, will attempt to start her career with a fourth consecutive victory in a full field of 16 runners in the Listed $200,000 Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m).
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
The Scone track was rated a soft (5) at acceptance time.
The rail will be in the true position on Friday and then moved out to the 2-metre position from the 800 to the 400m for Saturday's meeting.
The Bureau Of Meteorology forecast for Scone is.
Wednesday – Partly cloudy. 23.
Thursday – Mostly cloudy (70% chance of 0-7mm of rain). 20.
Friday – Partly cloudy. 21.
Saturday – Partly cloudy. 22.
CLICK HERE to get the fields and free formguide for the Scone meeting on Friday.
CLICK HERE to get the fields and free formguide for the Scone meeting on Saturday.
Originally published as Country star Know Thyself to get chance in Listed Scone Cup
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