Bullock can strengthen grip on jockeys’ title with success at Scone

6 hours ago 4

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Skip to sections navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

By Neil Evans

July 13, 2025 — 5.00pm

In the midst of another rewarding winter, leading jockey Aaron Bullock can close in on a second NSW jockeys’ title with a winning raid at Monday’s transferred Scone meeting.

Originally scheduled for Quirindi, the meeting was switched early to Scone, and it presents another strong book of rides for the “Raging Bull,” stretching from a metropolitan stable right up to Tamworth.

Leading jockey Aaron Bullock has a number of chances at Scone on Monday.

Despite a frustrating day at Newcastle on Saturday which only yielded short-priced winner Just In Time from four rides, Bullock has picked up a steady rate of winners through winter to keep the title chasers at bay.

A lightning treble at Newcastle in late June opened up a gap before doubles at Tamworth and Mudgee early this month confirmed him as a red-hot favourite to take the riding title.

And he has a golden opportunity to strike early at Scone aboard home track three-year-old Royal Armada, having his first outing for the Scott Singleton stable since switching from Joe Pride at Warwick Farm.

A son of Holler which will relish dropping back from deeper provincial company, Royal Armada also gets winkers for the first time in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m.

But it’s with another Scone yard that Bullock can have his biggest say all day.

He hops aboard lightly raced and promising mare Zelestial for the Lyle Chandler camp in a Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1600m.

An imported four-year-old by prolific Zoustar, Zelestial has won two from three this prep on rain-affected ground and now gets her chance to prove she’s just as capable on top of the ground.

She drew the inside and opened a short-priced $2.10 favourite with bookmakers, well ahead of her nearest market rivals.

Bullock then partners again with visiting Warwick Farm four-year-old Annoint, which looks ready to win a Class 1 & Maiden Plate over the mile, before hopping aboard four-year-old Lord Protector for the Craig Martin stable at Tamworth in a more open BM 66 Handicap over 1200m.

He’s rock solid in the market as well in the final two races, especially the closer aboard resuming four-year-old Edge Of Midnight for the Paul Perry yard at Newcastle in a BM 58 Handicap over 1000m.