A promising weekend awaits trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, with attention split between the Scone Carnival and Brisbane’s Group 1 stage where Schwarz will contest the Doomben 10,000 (1200m).

Strait Acer will lead their hopes at Scone in Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m), following a strong effort in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup where he finished sixth, showing signs of return to form.

Charlton was pleased with the gelding’s performance, saying, “He actually ran alright at Hawkesbury. He was wide and back and made up good ground considering. He is getting back towards form.”

Formerly placed in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and fourth in the Golden Eagle, Strait Acer is expected to improve further in a competitive Scone Cup field.

The stable is also targeting the Dark Jewel Classic with mares Countyourblessings and Captain Amelia, both of whom showed ability despite difficult recent conditions.

“They’re both racing well without having been afforded much luck with barriers and luck in running,” Charlton said.

Further entries from the yard include Good Banter and Getafix in support races at Scone, while Group 1-placed Polymnia is Brisbane-bound for a campaign targeting the Queensland Oaks.

“She is Group One placed now and all being well she is going to prepare for The Roses and the Queensland Oaks,” Charlton said. “She just didn’t get room when she needed it in the Oaks and would have finished closer.”