Wangaratta Racing Tips 31 July — is Rawiller the key?
Scone Racing Tips 31 July 2026 — can Doyle’s 3yo keep rolling?
Scone Racing Tips 31 July 2026 — can Doyle’s 3yo keep rolling?
There’s a real “tell” on this Scone card: Nathan Doyle turns up with a progressive three year old who’s been winning (and doing it the right way), and the placement screams confidence. In a meeting where plenty of these are still learning their craft, I’d rather side with the horse that’s already figured out how to win than the one that’s “almost” there.
We’ve got four races on the Scone turf today, kicking off at 12:30. You’ll get the straight reads, the pace shape, and where I’d actually bet. These Scone racing tips lean into two things that matter here: barriers at sprint trips, and which stables and riders repeatedly leave with a cheque.
Scone — the setup
Going and conditions are listed as blank in the data, so treat early speed as your anchor. With these 984m to 1203m races, Scone can turn into “first move wins” territory when riders overthink it. If you’re drawn to park one off and you’ve got a horse that can absorb pressure, you’re already halfway home.
Limited meaningful course history for most of today’s runners. A lot of the horse stats are one or two visits which is a data point, not a trend. Where the course numbers do bite is with the people: a couple of riders and trainers have proper volume here.
Jockeys worth respecting at Scone (5+ rides)
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bullock | 50 | 15 | 27 | 30.0 | 54.0 |
| Mitchell Bell | 40 | 6 | 21 | 15.0 | 52.5 |
| MS M Weir | 42 | 6 | 19 | 14.29 | 45.24 |
| Reece Jones | 53 | 4 | 14 | 7.55 | 26.42 |
| Braith Nock | 36 | 3 | 8 | 8.33 | 22.22 |
Trainers who consistently cash tickets at Scone (5+ runners)
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Messara & L Gavranich | 25 | 10 | 15 | 40.0 | 60.0 |
| Nathan Doyle | 22 | 6 | 15 | 27.27 | 68.18 |
| S I Singleton | 51 | 10 | 25 | 19.61 | 49.02 |
| Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 41 | 5 | 17 | 12.2 | 41.46 |
| Cameron Crockett | 19 | 2 | 7 | 10.53 | 36.84 |
Ladbrokes Review [Updated March 2026] | Ladbrokes.com.au Pros & Cons
- Info Hub
- Mates Mode
Race-by-race tips and previews
Race 1: Arrowfield Country Boosted Mdn Plate — 12:30, 1203m
The race reads like a grind for the maidens that keep finding one better, so I’m happy to side with the horse who keeps putting itself in the finish. Nulkaba Star gets the right map from gate 3, and that “255253” form line screams reliability without being a serial quitter. At this trip, that matters: you don’t need brilliance, you need to hold your spot when they quicken.
The danger is First Embrace from barrier 1. It’s a debutant profile so you’re guessing a bit, but the inside draw plus A Bullock is the sort of combo that can turn an even money chance into a winner at Scone, because Bullock rides this place like he owns it (15 wins from 50 rides here, and he places in more than half).
If you want the “this track, right now” angle: Banished is another who can be in it purely on rider placement. A B Collett hasn’t won from 15 rides at Scone, and that’s a meaningful sample, so I’m wary of taking a short quote if the market gets excited.
Play: Nulkaba Star each-way. Saver quinella with First Embrace if the debutant is respected in betting.
Race 2: Magic Millions Mdn Hcp — 13:05, 984m
This is the kind of 984m maiden where barrier and intent decide it more than anything, and Public Safety looks the right sort to run straight to a placing or better. The “3” last start says it already has a ceiling above raw maidens, and J Ford is a positive booking to keep it out of trouble early.
The question is whether Excels can turn “72-” into a win. It gets a workable gate (5) and a light weight (124.5), and Nathan Doyle targets this track hard. Doyle places better than two-thirds of his Scone runners (15 placings from 22), which is proper volume, not a cute angle.
I’m prepared to oppose the ones with plain early form if they’re forced to snag back. On Report draws 9 and comes off a “9”, and while A Bullock can rescue anything, it’s still a tough ask if it misses the kick.
Play: Public Safety to win. Small saver on Excels if it holds a backable price.
Race 3: Muswellbrook Ford (Bm58) — 13:40, 1094m
The market will try to make this a debate, but I don’t think it should be. Perfect Force is the day’s cleanest profile: three year old, on a winning run (“221”), drawn 1, and it lands with the stable that does real damage at Scone. Nathan Doyle wins more than one in four here (6 from 22) and places runners at a big clip.
From the inside gate, Liberty Smyth can hold a spot and let the horse use its acceleration rather than asking it to make a long, wide run. Smyth hasn’t broken through at Scone yet from 19 rides, but the place figures say she’s not lost here. She just needs the right horse, and this might be it.
The danger is Yes To Infinity because it won on its only start at Scone. That’s not a trend, but it is proof of suitability, and A Bullock is the rider you want when the race gets tactical. The weight (132.2) is the little squeeze that stops me making it the main bet.
Play: Perfect Force win bet. Exacta saver Perfect Force to beat Yes To Infinity.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Race 4: Stevens Group Mdn Plate — 14:15, 1422m
The last is a proper puzzle, but there’s one runner I want to be with because the placement looks deliberate. Courthezon has the “5-2” profile that usually wins the next one if it gets even luck, and the Neasham and Archibald camp has come to Scone often enough to take seriously: 41 runners for 5 wins and 17 placings.
Barrier 6 is a sweet spot. It gives A B Collett options to go forward without burning, or sit just behind the speed if something inside wants to kick up. Collett’s Scone numbers aren’t pretty overall, but this feels like a “right horse” scenario rather than a rider issue.
The danger is Tamieka Warrior from gate 1. It keeps running into placings (form “6-23242”), and Donovan Dillon can give it a soft run on the fence. If the leaders stack them up and sprint, the inside runner with patience often pinches it.
A quick note on Shakespeare’s Girl: it placed on its only start at Scone and it’s been building with “8-33”. The knock is the draw 17. You can win from out there, but you’re paying for a lot of things to go right.
Play: Courthezon each-way. Small saver win bet Tamieka Warrior.
The plays
If you only bet one race, keep it simple and lean into the stable that repeatedly turns up to Scone with the right horses. Perfect Force (Race 3, 13:40) is the NAP for me: winning form line, barrier 1 at a sharp trip, and Nathan Doyle’s Scone record is the kind you can build a day around (6 wins and 15 placings from 22 runners).
Value sits with Courthezon (Race 4). It’s already found the line for second after a debut, and the draw lets Collett ride a race rather than chase it. I’m not pretending it’s bombproof in a big maiden field, but it’s the right shape for an each-way bet.
Banker for multis is still Perfect Force. If you want a second leg, I’d rather add Public Safety (Race 2) than guess in the first maiden.
Course angle to keep: when A Bullock turns up at Scone, respect it. Fifteen wins from 50 rides is not noise, and it shows up in both early races today.
Next time Neasham and Archibald bring a small team to Scone, follow the money, because their strike rate says they don’t come here for the scenery.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Scone today?
v
Who are the top trainers and jockeys at Scone?
Trainer-wise, P Messara & L Gavranich have the standout record: 10 wins and 15 placings from 25 Scone runners. Close behind as a “play every meeting” stable is Nathan Doyle with 6 wins and 15 placings from 22.
In the saddle, A Bullock leads the meaningful sample: 15 wins from 50 rides at Scone, and 27 placings overall.
What are the best bets at Scone today?
Best bet is Perfect Force in Race 3 (13:40). The value each-way play is Courthezon in Race 4 (14:15), coming off a strong second and drawn to get the right run.
Where can I find the best odds for Scone races?
Odds weren’t available via the odds feed for this meeting at the time of writing, so shop around in the corporates and the tote close to jump. If you want to compare markets as they firm, start with your main books, then check the tote for late drifts on the maidens where money often moves late.
Responsible gambling
Support & resources: If gambling is causing harm, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
Affiliate disclosure: RacingBase may earn a commission if you sign up or place a bet via links on this page (at no extra cost to you). That helps keep the site running.
