3 minute read

Unbeaten mare Cypress Ponds can bring up her fourth straight success in today's All American @ Arrowfield Handicap (race 5) at Scone.

The mare might not be the next Black Caviar but she's done nothing wrong to date winning all three runs and should take catching again over 1300m in this Benchmark 63.

Prepared by David Atkins at Newcastle, Cypress Ponds made her debut over 1267m at Taree on heavy ground. Settling just off the leading pair, she loomed up and fought on well for a half length win.

She returned to Taree next time over 1250m but skipped a grade to a Class 2, where she shared the lead and drew clear in the straight, scoring a 1.5 length win.

Last start, again at Taree over 1250m in a Class 2, she carried 58.5kg and led throughout for a comfortable length win.

The mare faces her toughest assignment today meeting harder opposition but drops 2.5kg on her last start win.

Apprentice Alison Threadwell, who has been aboard at all three wins, has the mount again and from barrier five she will take running down again.

The locally trained Benevento is overdue for a win and looks hardest to hold out.

The lightly raced gelding, prepared by Rodney Northam, had a fairly consistent campaign last time in which included two wins.

This preparation he resumed in similar grade at Newcastle and after getting well back hit the line hard to finish a length runner up.

Last start, Benevento raced over 1250m at Taree in the Hyde Cup. There he drew wide and drifted back but again hit the line well to finish third, beaten just over a length.

It's worth noting Cypress Ponds won over the same distance there on the day, and ran over a second quicker than the older proven horses.

Benevento drops in grade today and carries the same weight.

He has drawn well for leading rider Robert Thompson and fitter for the two runs back will be hard to hold out.

That pair look clearly the two to beat but for the minors it's worth considering another local in Yahiguru.

The gelding, from the Greg Bennett yard, has a consistent overall record and although yet to win at home has placed three of five runs there.

He has a very good record over today's journey with three wins and four minors from 10 tries.

The gelding has raced only once this campaign when a fast finishing fourth in tougher grade over 1280m at Muswellbrook.

He goes well second up and is aided by the claim today.

Zarzeus has been racing over further last campaign but his winning record is sound over the trip and is worth including in the multiples fresh.