Scone Racing Tips 9 June — can Bullock steer the card?
Donald Racing Tips 9 June 2026 — can the stayers turn it into a war?
Donald racing tips, 9 June 2026
Donald on a winter Monday always asks the same question: do we get a set of sit-sprint events where the best turn of foot wins, or does someone actually make it a staying test and sort the real runners from the lookers?
That’s the angle I keep coming back to on this card. We’ve got two races at 2406m and a 1772m late, and there are a few trainers who don’t mind applying pressure from a long way out. If the tempo lifts, you can lean into horses that keep finding rather than ones that only sprint for 200m.
Eight races on turf, and plenty of maidens early where you want to keep it simple and back horses with a trajectory. I’ve gone hardest in the 15:30 because the profiles are clean and the map looks friendly. Work through the race-by-race and you’ll see where I’m prepared to bet, and where I’m happy to watch and learn.
Donald, the setup
Limited course form across today’s fields. Most runners have only one Donald start on the page, so treat it as a reference point rather than a “track pattern” you can build a bet around.
One exception worth filing away: D Yendall has 3 rides at Donald historically, including a win, while Teodore Nugent has 4 rides here for 3 placings. That’s useful context when you’re splitting hairs in the maidens, but it doesn’t override the form and the map.
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Race-by-race
Race 1: Goodwin Village Donald Mdn Plate — 13:00, 1094m
The contender for me is Morning Ralph. He’s the only runner in the race with a recent set of figures that reads like he’s knocking the door down: 0-4 with a placing in the last 90 days and an average finish around midfield isn’t headline material, but the key is the shape of his form line. “0452” says he’s improving, not plateauing.
From gate 10 he probably has to be ridden with a bit of intent, but Donald’s 1094m is the sort of trip where you can absorb a slightly awkward run if you’re the one still finding at the 100m. Sam Kennedy stays aboard for the Corstens and Larkin yard, and that’s a stable that usually brings a horse to a country maiden when it’s ready to win one.
The danger is Lovedup Lola (gate 1). With the inside draw and Damien Thornton, she gets every chance to land in the first few and make it a “catch me if you can” race. If the track is playing to leaders, she’s the one who can make you look silly.
Staking: Win bet Morning Ralph. Small saver quinella with Lovedup Lola if you want cover for the rail draw.
Race 2: Leading Teams Mdn Plate — 13:30, 1312m
The question in this maiden is simple: how many of these are here to learn, and how many have already shown they belong? Big Boy Bowie has answered that once already. He’s had one start for a placing, and while one run is never a rock-solid base, it’s still a clearer signal than a page of zeros.
Barrier 1 is a gift at 1312m. Jett Stanley can hold a spot, keep the horse out of trouble, and make the others prove they can run him down. That’s how these races get won at Donald.
The obvious threat is Powering Away, even from the horror draw (16). Patrick Payne has him going 3-2-3-2 across his last four appearances, and that’s the sort of consistency that wins a maiden by brute force if he gets any luck in running. The wide alley means you’re betting on the ride, not just the horse.
Staking: Big Boy Bowie to win. If the market gets cute and he’s short, I’d rather back him straight than mess about with exotics in a big field.
Race 3: Weir’s Iga + Liquor Donald Mdn Plate — 14:00, 1772m
This is the first of the day where I want a horse that keeps showing up and giving you a run. Zetheros fits that perfectly: his form line reads 5-2-7-2-2, and he’s drawn gate 1. That’s the whole recipe at 1772m. Hold the fence, land closer than last time, and make it a staying contest from the 600m.
He’s also one of the few on the meeting with a Donald run on record, and while it’s only one start here, it was a placing. You don’t call that course form, but it tells you he handles the place.
The 90-day snapshot backs up the vibe: two runs for two placings and an average finishing position of 2.0. That’s not fluff; it’s a horse in the right race, right now.
Danger is Impending Swan (John Allen). She’s been rattling off solid efforts (325-43) and Allen rides the track as well as anyone on the card. If she’s within striking distance at the turn, she’s the one who can outfinish the fence-sitter.
Staking: Win bet Zetheros. Exacta saver with Impending Swan running second.
Race 4: Donald & District Community Bank Mdn Plate — 14:30, 2406m
The shape here matters more than the names. Over 2406m in a maiden, a lot of these will be looking at the scenery at the 800m. I’m siding with Camelot Time because his form says he’s a stayer who keeps turning up: 2-5-2-4 across his last four, and he’s already placed on his only start at Donald. Again, one run is a data point, not a trend, but it’s the right kind of data point.
Teodore Nugent is a positive booking too. He’s ridden four times at Donald for three placings historically, which is about as close as you get to “knows how to ride it” without going overboard on small samples.
The danger is Phantom’s Chase (B Rawiller). Her form line is full of competitive efforts and Rawiller is the sort of rider who can make a staying maiden ugly for everyone else. If she rolls forward and turns it into a grind, your pretty run-on types can be in trouble.
Staking: Camelot Time each-way. I want to be paid if it becomes a sit and sprint and he runs another honest second.
Race 5: Gilchrist & Co (Bm62) — 15:00, 2406m
The market will likely gravitate to the proven winners and the stables, but I’m looking for the horse whose current form says “still improving.” That’s Flashlight. His recent form is 5-3-2-1-2-9, and you can forgive a flat run when the rest of the prep has been consistent. In the last 90 days he’s had four starts for a win and three placings, which screams fitness and reliability for a country staying benchmark.
The weight is the knock (134.4), but in these races the real enemy is getting stuck doing work. From gate 7, B Rawiller can get him into a rhythm and make it a sustained build from the 800m rather than a stop-start slog.
The danger is Madesian. He’s a 3yo with upside, a win already on the page, and the Busuttin and Young camp doesn’t place them in these sorts of races for a picnic. If he steps up again second-up at the trip, he can run straight past them.
Staking: Win bet Flashlight. Keep Madesian safe in a quinella if you’re playing wider.
Race 6: Bet365 Position Payout (Bm62) — 15:30, 1094m
This is the best betting race on the card because the profiles line up and the map doesn’t look like it needs a crystal ball. Maya’s Ace is the horse I want to be with. She’s 1-4-2 from three runs in the last 90 days, averaging around the first three home, and she’s drawn gate 2. That’s a sprinter’s setup you can actually bet into without inventing excuses.
She doesn’t need to be a star. She just needs a clean run, and E J Walsh can give her that. The Hayes stable has two here and they’ve clearly found the right level for her to keep progressing.
The danger is Terracotta Rose (gate 12). She has more upside than most of these and comes in with a win two back. If she gets the right trail across and the leaders overdo it, she’s the one who can finish the day’s best sectionals.
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Staking: Maya’s Ace to win. If you want to play it a little safer, win plus a small saver quinella with Terracotta Rose.
Race 7: Mallee Landscapes (Bm66) — 16:00, 1312m
The contrast in this race is between the old boy who keeps winning and the horses who keep finding reasons not to. Come Along Jeffrey has “4-9-2-5-1-1” in his recent form, which tells you he’s thriving and he’s in the mood to bully a BM66. He’s also drawn to get a run into it (gate 8) with Chelsea Thompson, and the likely race shape suggests he can land midfield with cover and peel at the right time.
I wanted to use course jockey numbers here, but the ones on the card don’t really apply to this rider. So I’m leaning on the simplest truth in country racing: horses in form keep winning until the handicapper catches them.
Danger is Amber Star. She keeps hitting the line (357-33) and if she lands closer than usual from gate 6, she can pinch it when the favourites start looking at each other.
Staking: Win bet Come Along Jeffrey. If the price is too skinny, I’d rather reduce stake than get clever.
Race 8: Chs Broadbent (Bm62) — 16:30, 1772m
The stable move angle matters late: San Marco comes in with a form line that reads like a horse who has finally worked out how to win, not just place (432251). Gate 1 is the sort of draw that lets Sam Kennedy make the race simple: hold the fence, control the speed, and dare the wide runners to do the work.
His 90-day record is strong enough to trust: six runs for a win and four placings, and an average finishing position of 2.0. That’s the definition of a horse who gives you a sight.
The danger is Timeonlees. She comes off a win and then a placing (4221-3) and draws gate 4, which is close enough to park right behind the speed and get first crack. The Mcevoys have a sharp Donald strike historically in small samples, and this is the kind of placement where they can look like they own the joint.
Staking: San Marco to win. If you’re playing a running double from Race 7, this is the anchor leg.
The plays
NAP: Maya’s Ace (Race 6, 15:30). She’s trending the right way with a win and two placings from her last three runs in the 90-day window, and the inside gate should keep the bad luck out of it.
Value: Camelot Time (Race 4, 14:30) each-way. Staying maidens punish flashy types, and his “always there” profile suits a 2406m grind. He also placed on his only Donald run, which is at least a tick for the venue.
Banker for multis: San Marco (Race 8, 16:30). Barrier 1 plus a horse who keeps running top two is the kind of leg that lets you sleep.
Each-way: Zetheros (Race 3, 14:00). Two runs in the last 90 days for two placings, and he draws to control his own destiny from the inside.
Course angle: Keep Teodore Nugent onside at Donald when he’s on a live chance. Four rides here for three placings isn’t enough to crown him anything, but it’s enough to trust the judgement when the map looks right.
Next Donald meeting, watch how often the inside gates at the mile and beyond keep winning these country races because riders get braver about controlling tempo when the trip stretches out.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Donald today?
Donald kicks off at 13:00 with the Goodwin Village Donald Maiden Plate over 1094m.
Who are the top jockeys and trainers at Donald on this card?
On the course numbers available for today’s participants, Teodore Nugent has 4 rides at Donald for 3 placings, and John Allen has 5 rides here historically with a win and three placings. Among trainers with meaningful volume in the course snapshot, T & C Mcevoy have 3 runners at Donald historically for 3 wins, while Ben, Will & JD Hayes have had 5 runners here for 3 placings.
What are the best bets at Donald today?
I’m building the day around Maya’s Ace in Race 6 (15:30). For the late leg, San Marco in Race 8 (16:30) looks the safest profile given his recent run of top-two finishes and the inside draw.
Where can I find the best Donald odds today?
Bookmaker odds weren’t available in the feed for this meeting at the time of writing, so treat any early market as a guide only. If you’re shopping around, check prices across the major Australian books close to jump time for the 15:30 (Maya’s Ace) and 16:30 (San Marco), because those are the two races I’m most confident betting into.
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