Sir Remlap looms as cream of the crop at Scone

Meanwhile, the powerful Annabel Neasham-Rob Archibald stable is set to resume and unveil another group of exciting youngsters at Scone.

Heading the list is debutant three-year-old Call Me Magnifique, a son of The Autumn Sun, who kicks off in a Maiden Plate over 1400m behind two progressive trials. The stable had accepted four runners in that race, including the returning Phazed.

Earlier, both Longinus, first-up since early last spring, and well bred Clubman, not seen since a dominant debut win in Canberra 10 months ago, are expected to take a big hand in a Class 1 handicap over 1400m.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

Careless Roper tied up for next three weeks

Craig Kerry

Jockey Anna Roper will be sidelined for the next three weeks after a rollercoaster day at Randwick.

The three-kilogram claiming apprentice from the Central Coast rode Yorkshire to victory and gained high praise from trainer John O’Shea on Saturday. It continued a fine run from Roper, who has a 24 per cent winning strike rate from her past 50 rides.

However, Roper was suspended for careless riding on Yorkshire, when shifting in on another runner while crossing from a wide gate after the start. She was suspended for an identical offence earlier in the Highway Handicap when aboard Dale.

The overall two-week suspension was added to a week’s penalty starting on Sunday from a careless riding offence at Scone, meaning she will be out until March 8.

Sumo Fish, McKeon book Championships spots

Craig Kerry

Sumo Fish and 100-1 chance McKeon are the first horses through to the $1 million Country Championships final at Randwick on April 5 after finishing one-two in the opening heat at Port Macquarie on Sunday.

Wayne Wilkes-trained Sumo Fish ($6.50), ridden by Wilkes’ daughter and apprentice, Shae, came down the outside with Joseph Burgess-prepared, Siena Grima-ridden McKeon and finished a head clear in the Mid North Coast qualifier. Bjorn Ironside was third.

The next qualifiers will be the Northern Rivers heat on Saturday at Lismore and the South East race at Nowra on Sunday.

The top two from Orange (Central Districts) on February 28, Wagga Wagga (Southern Districts) on March 1, Tamworth (Hunter and North-West) on March 9 and Coonamble (Western) on March 16 also qualify. The winners of the northern wildcard at Scone on March 21 and southern wildcard at Goulburn on March 23 make the final.