Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic Day meeting at Scone shapes as a fitting finale to a big two-day showcase of country racing, with quality fields and competitive betting races across the program. Following Friday’s opener, attention turns to what should be another outstanding day, with the track expected to land in the Good 4 to Soft 5 range, ideal conditions for punters and participants alike.
The headline act is the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic, where Melody Again returns looking to defend her crown after a dominant performance last year. She’ll face a deep and talented field, ensuring the feature lives up to its billing as one of the highlights of the Scone carnival.
Support races add further depth to the meeting, including the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes, the Listed Luskin Star Stakes, the Listed Ortensia Stakes, and the Listed Woodlands Stakes. Each race brings together emerging talent and proven performers, creating a strong card from top to bottom.
With plenty to look forward to across the program, it’s a terrific day to dive into our official 2026 Dark Jewel Classic Day preview and hopefully find a few winners.
VIEWPOINT (6) had a few things against him last start at Hawkesbury such as the outside barrier and racing in the inferior going so there was merit in his 2.03 length fifth.
The son of Wootton Bassett returned in great order two starts ago over 1400m at Hawkesbury where he settled worse than midfield before letting down powerfully to win comfortably by 2.46 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter and won his only previous third-up race which was over a similar distance.
The draw is a touch sticky, but he has the speed to find a prominent position.
| 6. Viewpoint (10) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 57kg 21×15 T: Nacim Dilmi |
SOLITARIO (6) was restrained from the outside barrier last start at Newcastle before charging home to finish a neck second.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained gelding will appreciate returning to this class given the last time he competed in a Class 3 Handicap; he proved too strong over 1450m at Muswellbrook just three starts ago.
He’s rock hard fit and races particularly well at Scone having won two of three races.
Blinkers go back on and I’d suggest that should see him settle closer in the run.
| 6. Solitario (6) J: Ashley Morgan 59.5kg 04142 T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich |
MOSCATEL (3) could not have been more impressive on debut over 1100m on the Kensington track.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained filly showed good speed to lead before putting a gap on her rivals in the final furlong to win by 4.43 lengths.
The third horse, Quarterback, subsequently ran well for second at Gosford’s The Coast meeting last Saturday.
Unfortunately, she draws out in the boondocks but as mentioned she is armed with good early speed which she can use to counter.
| 3. Moscatel (14) J: Rachel King 57.5kg 1 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
NITRO (11) returns to the races for the first time since putting up a tremendous fight to finish a nose second to Plaintiff over 1200m at Rosehill in December.
That proved to be excellent form with Plaintiff going on to win four of five career starts including the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes.
The Peter Snowden-trained gelding finished like he was shot out of a cannon to come from many lengths off the leader to win on debut at Warwick Farm.
He’s only had three starts so has an abundance of upside and two trials will have him ready to fire fresh.
| 11. Nitro (10) J: Tom Sherry 58kg 132x T: Peter Snowden |
MAN OF WORTH (4) kicked off this preparation in fine style over 1250m Canterbury where he raced on speed before letting down powerfully to win by 1.42 lengths.
The Chris Waller-trained former import will appreciate the rise in distance given he won over a mile in back-to-back races to end last preparation and raced over much further in Ireland.
He’s been back to the trials since his first-up win and produced an excellent piece of work where he was climbing over their backs late.
Siena Grima, who claims 3kg, can stalk what looks a decent speed.
| 4. Man Of Worth (10) J: Siena Grima 60kg 311×1 T: Chris Waller |
LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (2) can be forgiven for weakening to finish 2.49 lengths fourth over 1200m at Eagle Farm after being involved in a speed battle in front.
The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained gelding had been in awesome form prior to that with back-to-back wins at Toowoomba and Doomben where she saluted both times by just over three lengths.
He’s at peak fitness and regular rider Gary ‘5G’ Geran makes the trip from Toowoomba with the horse which is a plus.
From barrier 4, Geran should be able to comfortably find a forward position.
| 2. Let’Sfacethemusic (4) J: Gary Geran 59.5kg 3×114 T: Corey & Kylie Geran |
AGARWOOD (3) should have finished a lot closer last start in the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes than her 2.46 lengths seventh.
The Tom Charlton-trained filly was fully of running but was held up on multiple occasions with the last roadblock with 150m to go seeing her jockey stop riding.
She was stiff the start prior in the Darby Munro Stakes when the winner Beskar came on her late seeing her finish three-quarters of a length third. She did beat Beadman and Caffe Florian which is excellent company.
She’s drawn well for Zac Lloyd and gets blinkers for the first time.
| 3. Agarwood (7) J: Zac Lloyd 58.5kg x2427 T: Tom Charlton |
THE INSTRUCTOR (2) returns to the races for the first time since failing in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained gelding races particularly well fresh having won two of five first-up races.
He’s had two trials leading into this and produced a super effort to win his most recent piece of work.
Last year’s Luskin Star Stakes winner should enjoy a nice run on speed for Regan Bayliss.
| 2. The Instructor (6) J: Regan Bayliss 59kg 7240x T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
LUVNWAR (3) produced a good effort when resuming for new trainer John Leek last start in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown.
The daughter of War Decree drew wide and never got on the track, racing three-wide the trip but still fought on well to finish 1.41 lengths fourth.
She’ll strip fitter and boasts an impressive second-up record of three wins from five starts.
Josh Parr should land not too far from the action.
| 3. Luvnwar (9) J: Josh Parr 58kg 331×4 T: Andrea Leek |
LINEBACKER (2) looks well placed to send us home from Scone with a win given he drops massively in class.
The Tom Charlton-trained gelding has competed in Group 1 races his past three starts where he has lined up against the likes of Sheza Alibi, Autumn Glow and Joliestar.
He ended last preparation with a win in the Group 3 Silver Eagle and last year he won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas, so he oozes class.
A recent trial where he worked home nicely to win and defeat the likes of Another Wil will have him in fine fettle for this first-up assignment.
Give his best results have come when he has settled forward, Zac Lloyd will likely adopt similar tactics here.
| 2. Linebacker (7) J: Zac Lloyd 59kg 7×776 T: Tom Charlton |