Albury’s accomplished Donna Scott, with momentum of city TAB Highway success and regional winners, is super value with stablemates Arthur The Great ($17 on TAB) and Daze Off ($17) into a tremendous stand-alone Kembla Grange Saturday that features the $1m The Illawarra Mercury Gong.
Usually Melbourne, where she has won several races, is more travel viable from Albury when Donna has promising newcomers.
But off a recent Rosehill Gardens TAB Highway win with Villasaurus, Donna accepted with two runners for the Kembla episode and primed with a significant jockey switch.
“We’re going with ‘Arthur’ and the mare Daze Off,” said Donna into Kembla’s $120,000 Class 3, 1400m episode.
Arthur The Great will carry 60kg and Blaike McDougall while Daze Off has 54kg and Winona Costin in another typically wide-open episode.
Donna has always been reluctant to race on the same day as a long road trip.
“Especially with horse’s first trip away, you’ve got to do what’s best for them especially in hot weather. But it’s ideal to stay in Canberra as we’ve got runners there Sunday.”
Donna’s stablemates have far different form lines but have drawn favourably with five wins between them.
Arthur The Great has never been beyond 1200m into the testing 1400m and big track while Daze Off has been placed at the distance.
“I think Arthur will run it in this grade, solid wins with weight and well placed off three wins and has upside.
“Only concern is first trip away – he’s toey and reluctant in the parade ring. Hopefully, he behaves and brings his best to the races as he does have the ability.
“The mare (Daze Off) will appreciate the drop in weight, is progressive and placed last start over 1400m; Winona has won on her and will use the gate (5).
“Hopefully, both can be on pace in a big field. Always tough these Highways but you’ve got to be in it for that level of prizemoney while they’re eligible.”
Donna is having a productive season with wins with Villasaurus at Rosehill Gradens while Richie Tycoon and Wings of Carmen have won at the regionals.
And Scott won four races with Clever Art before it was sold by connections to Mitch Beer who won the recent Snake Gully Cup with the six-year-old mare.
In early and wide betting Gentilesche is the $5 TAB favourite from Texas Fireball ($5.50) and there will be money for ACT emergencies Everido ($8.50) and Lambay ($6).
– Racing NSW