Saturday Racing Tips & Best Bets - May 16, 2026

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Wednesday 1
Thursday 2
Friday 3
Saturday 4
Sunday 5
Monday 6
Tuesday 7
Wednesday 8
Thursday 9
Friday 10
Saturday 11

Scone Betting Tips for May 16, 2026 - Dark Jewel Awaits Surfin' Bird

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Thu 14 May 2026 11:20

Alex Marsh 14 May 2026

Share this article

Scone Carnival finale features Dark Jewel Classic and 4 Listed races
Top tips: Linebacker, Surfin’ Bird, Golden Straand & Cucina (each-way)
Strong metro and interstate form lines promise competitive fields

Expired

Five stakes races feature on Saturday’s Scone program. (Getty)

The Scone Carnival concludes on Saturday with a quality 10-race program headlined by the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic and supported by four Listed features.

Scone Tips May 16
Yarraman Park Woodlands Stakes Tips (Race 3)
Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes Tips (Race 7)
Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes Tips (Race 8)
Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic Tips (Race 9)
Darley Luskin Star Stakes Tips (Race 10)

Strong metropolitan and interstate form lines clash throughout the meeting, with several black-type performers and emerging carnival contenders engaged across the card.

The Daily Racing Multi offers wider racing combinations from multiple cards.

Scone Tips May 16

Yarraman Park Woodlands Stakes Tips (Race 3)

Scone Value Bet - Race 3 No. 10 Cucina

This Listed two-year-old fillies affair can be a good form race going forward, with last year’s winner Stardom following up with a Stakes victory in spring, while the 2024 winner Lazzura became a Group 1 winner this autumn.

Also on the honour roll are dual Group 1 winner In Secret, along with Libertini and Flippant, who both measured up in good company.

Chris Waller has opted to debut Cucina here, which is not surprising given her trial work has shown plenty of X-factor.

The first of those hit-outs came on January 2 before a break and she has worked through the line impressively in two autumn trials leading into Saturday.

There has been money for Cucina early at longer odds and the filly profiles as a fascinating first starter in a handy edition of the Woodlands Stakes.

Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes Tips (Race 7)

Scone Roughie - Race 7 No. 13 Gorgeous

Gorgeous is still looking to put things together on race day and there is little doubt ability is the issue.

The main query is whether the daughter of So You Think is mature enough at this stage of her career.

A nose roll has been applied since she went down as a short-priced favourite first-up at Hawkesbury, where she was also set a big task.

Gorgeous has since returned to the trials with a Randwick hit-out on May 4 ahead of Saturday’s assignment.

The filly justified a short quote via a Super Maiden triumph on debut before a spell, covering ground and still doing plenty wrong throughout that Randwick Kensington victory.

Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes Tips (Race 8)

Scone Favourite - Race 8 No. 15 Golden Straand

As far as black-type sprinting options go, connections could not have hoped for a softer edition of the Ortensia Stakes.

Golden Straand is chasing a hat-trick after two victories to open the autumn campaign.

There was a touch of arrogance to the Warwick Farm resumption victory before another strong performance at Hawkesbury on May 2.

The margin there did not fully reflect the merit of the effort given the gelding was not working home in the preferred lanes late in the meeting.

This is a steep rise in class, although Golden Straand is progressive, carries 7kg less and the wide draw at Scone may not be a disadvantage, while rain could be the only knock.

Arrowfield Dark Jewel Classic Tips (Race 9)

Scone Feature Bet - Race 9 No. 9 Surfin' Bird

Above-average ability was shown throughout Surfin’ Bird’s first six runs last year, including some high-rating victories.

The mare may have simply come to the end of the campaign when beaten as a short-priced favourite at Group 3 level to close 2025.

Surfin’ Bird certainly lost no admirers in her narrow Hawkesbury Crown defeat when just edged out late by Chidiac after doing the work in front.

Race fitness proved the difference there, with Chidiac receiving the perfect tow into the race off the back of Surfin’ Bird.

With any improvement from that fresh outing, the mare looks well placed to secure a deserved first black-type victory.

Darley Luskin Star Stakes Tips (Race 10)

Scone Best Bet - Race 10 No. 2 Linebacker

After four tough assignments since his Silver Eagle placing last spring, Linebacker is placed for a much softer kill on Saturday.

The gelding moved well to win a Canterbury trial since being freshened after his Doncaster Mile sixth on Day 1 of The Championships.

Linebacker ran into a freak in Sheza Alibi there, while the previous defeat also came behind another star in her element when Autumn Glow took out the George Ryder Stakes.

His resumption in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes was also full of merit despite meeting trouble and the quinella from that race both went on to win at Group 1 level subsequently.

If a Brisbane campaign is on the agenda, Linebacker simply needs to be putting this field away.

Verdict

Scone - May 16

Our Scone tips for Saturday, May 16 are:

Linebacker

To Win

$3.10 - 4 Units

Same Race Multi & Instant Deposit

Referral Code: BETS

For South Australian residents, Bet Right's gambling operations are governed by the South Australian Gambling. 18+ Think! About your choices. Don't let the game play you. Stay in control. Gamble responsibly and remember never allow minors to gamble. Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858.

Bet at Bet Right

Surfin' Bird

To Win

$3.20 - 3 Units

Take it to the Neds Level

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Neds

Golden Straand

To Win

$5.50 - 2 Units

Australia's #1 bookmaker

Use the code "BLACKBOOK"