He began working for Frank Womersley, a blacksmith of Dunkeld as horseboy and jockey, and assisted in training a horse named The Alps, which he rode to victory in the Ararat Maiden.

After leaving him he rode three years for George Rex (c. 1845–1930), and won numerous country races on Dan Rice, Too Late, Curator, All Serene, Ivanhoe among others.

[3] After three years with Howie, during which time his focus changed from riding to training, and he purchased the business, training horses for such wealthy owners as Andrew Chirnside, Norman Wilson, W. Bailey, R. Orr, Frank Cumming, H. L. Cumming, Martin Loughlin, E. E. D. Clarke, Sir Rupert Clarke, R. G. Casey, M. Gordon, J. V. Smith, J. N. McArthur, S. P. Mackay (of Western Australia) and Cato.

Scobie considered Ringwood the best horse he ever rode or trained, despite the successes he had with Blue Mountain, Bolton, Kanaka, Lothair, Ruby, and Zephyr.

[7] He had stables at Miner's Rest, owned by E. E. D. Clarke at Dowling Forest, near Ballarat from around 1880 to 1911, though floods in 1909 forced a relocation to Caulfield,[8] and Pytchley Lodge at Ascot Vale, opposite the Ascot racecourse, from 1911. Notable horses that passed through his hands include: Alawa, Angelia, Annesley, Annotate, Benbow, Blue Mountain, Bolan, Brookong, Celia, Charles Stuart, Chit-Chat, Cyden, Cyklon, Demas, Deneb, Dreamland, Eleanor, Emir, Epilogue, Eye Glass, F.J.A., Fossil, Glue, Green Cap, Hautvilliers, Hua, Jack Smith, Kallara, Keera, Kildalton, La Carabine, Lothair, Maltster, Maroon, Midilli, Miltiades, Mint Sauce, Moe, Mother Goose, Orvieto, Paravane, Paul Pry, Pillie-winkle, Ranfurly, Recall, Ringwood, Rosanna, Rosina, Ruby, Seabound, Shanks, Shotbolt, Sinnang, Spica, Stageland, Stand By, Star d'Or, Sweet Nell, Sylvanite, Titan, The Bride, Thrice, Trey, Trillion, Uncle Matt, Thrice, United States, Wolowa, Widgiewa, Wycherley, Bitalli, Clean Sweep, King Ingoda and Trivalve; these last four being Melbourne Cup winners.

Scobie died at a private hospital in Melbourne, and his remains were cremated at Spring Vale; his ashes were interred in the grave of his wife in the Ballarat cemetery.