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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s Rosehill Gardens tips, analysis for Saturday: Bjorn Baker-trained runner a ‘big improver at odds’

Ron Dufficy thinks a Bjorn Baker-trained runner can make a massive splash second-up on Saturday’s 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens. Get Duff and Ray Thomas’s tips and analysis.

Ray Thomas
10 min read
February 21, 2025 - 10:57AM
The Bjorn Baker-trained Wategos is Ron Dufficy’s best bet of the day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
The Bjorn Baker-trained Wategos is Ron Dufficy’s best bet of the day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy analyse Saturday’s 10-race Rosehill Gardens meeting, which features the Hobartville Stakes, as well as Caulfield’s Blue Diamond Stakes.

Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.
Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.

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DUFF’S BEST BET

Race 9 No.6 WATEGOS

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RACE 1: Midway Handicap (1500m)

Ron Dufficy: I don’t mind MOGWAI (2). He is going really well for the new stable, he drops in class, maps well and stepping up in distance suits. He is the top pick. I am wary of HELL’S ITCH (7) at a bit of odds. I know he needs some luck from the wide draw but I like what he did winning twice last preparation and the form from those races reads well. MAH ALI (9) sets up well with a tick-over trial since her last start. RUSH ATTACK (10) should find a good spot from the draw and is a very honest type.

Ray Thomas: RUSH ATTACK (10) has developed into a very genuine sprinter and he was good enough first-up at Newcastle to suggest he can improve enough to be in the finish again. Drawn to get all the favours, too. MISSILE SEEKER (11) romped home at Kembla then wasn’t beaten far at Canterbury. His form reads well for this race and he’s good each way value. IT’S A WONDER (8) can mix her form but she gets her chance from the inside draw. MOGWAI (2) has to be considered for all the reasons you mentioned.

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony’s tips, race-by-race analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

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RACE 2: TAB Highway (1300m)

Dufficy: I like one at odds – POINT BASSE (3). He really needed the gelding operation but he trialled well under a hold ahead of his return and I feel he is a much better horse than his form suggests. EXIT FEE (11) has his hoof right on the till after two good Highway runs in recent weeks and he should be in the finish again. It is D-Day for KREON (2). He loomed to do something last start, it was an OK run, so maybe one more chance for him. WAL’S ANGELS (6) was a touch disappointing when odds-on last start but his two previous Highway runs were good.

Thomas: I realise this is a big jump in grade for BIDE YOUR TIME (7) but he’s won both his starts over summer impressively, showing natural talent and an admirable will-to-win. He’s awkwardly drawn but has tactical speed and if he can find a position early, then he will be very competitive. SPIRITS BURN DEEP (13) enjoyed the heavy track at Goulburn to score a tough win last start. This is harder but she is very fit, in-form and at very generous odds. I’ve also got EXIT FEE (11) and POINT BASSE (3) in my numbers as both should be in the finish.

• Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

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RACE 3: Rosehill Bowling Club Hcp (1300m)

Dufficy: This looks a nice race for STEP ASIDE (5). I concede he can be a little hard to catch but blinkers back on, barrier one, maps well at home, so he should be given every opportunity. LADY BOSS (10) might stride across and get into a prominent position. She should be peaking now after two runs from a spell. WINSTON HILLS (7) would have been top pick if there was more pressure up front. He will be giving them a start but is sure to be running on. FRENCH RULER (8) looked progressive last preparation, gets in with a lightweight, she’s fresh and the market will tell the tale.

Thomas: I concede the early race tempo is a concern but I want to be with WINSTON HILLS (7). He gets back in his races but has a powerful finish and is bursting to win a race. STEP ASIDE (5) does look to have a lot in his favour and rates as the one to beat. FRENCH RULER (8) is promising and should sprint well fresh. Cadetship will be running on strongly.

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RACE 4: Ranvet Handicap (1100m)

Dufficy: THEBLADE (12) won a barrier trial nicely, he looks a talented horse. He has no weight, I like the draw and he will find the box seat and prove hard to beat. ENRICHED (5) has had two trials, winning the latest in fast time and beating a couple of smart types. They thought enough of him to run him in the Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring so I am wary of him. BONITA QUEEN (1) is very fit, she is backing up from a Group 3 run, and the key is 1100m from a great draw and claim. She is right in the mix here. PIASTRI (2) is first-up but is very smart when right and should be closely monitored in the yard.

Thomas: THEBLADE (12) was scratched from Canterbury Friday night to be kept for this race. He’s a promising three-year-old resuming but his recent trial win was impressive. He comes out of the inside gate, should get the run of the race and is the one to beat. BONITA QUEEN (1) is very fit, is back to her best distance, and is going to be tough to run down. ENRICHED (5) is a talented colt resuming and he did first-up last preparation. AFTER MATCH (10) was disappointing first-up but has trialled nicely since and can run a race at huge odds.

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RACE 5: Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m)

Dufficy: MAKARENA (1) needs luck from the sticky draw. She is a sharp mare and although she is usually better second-up, the touch of class she has got will take her a long way in a race like this. They don’t trial any better than SCARLET OAK (3) has done in recent weeks. She is well found in the market but could be dangerous late. HINGED (2) has performed well at this distance previously and she is resuming off a Group 2 win so I can’t say no to her chances. ELETTRICA (5) is the mare who is up and running, she is race-fit and in-form, she should go well.

Thomas: I’m with MAKARENA (1), Ron. She had a great spring preparation winning the Golden Pendant, finishing third in The Invitation, and an unlucky fourth in the Golden Eagle so she seems very well placed under the set weights and penalties conditions of this mares race. She looked super in her recent Randwick barrier trial win. I agree SCARLET OAK (3)’s recent trial effort was eye-catching and she can make a race of it with Makarena. ELETTRICA (5) is in top form and has a race fitness edge. WATCH MY GIRL (7) won three of her four starts last preparation, she’s an improving mare who sprints well fresh.

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RACE 6: Group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m)

Dufficy: This is a terrific race, the cream of the two-year-old crop so far, Ray. I think WODETON (3) is vulnerable from the wide draw over 1100m. I just can’t see where he fits in the field here but I love this colt so much I can’t let him go around without me. He needs a good ride but I don’t want to tip against him. WEST OF SWINDON (2) is a quality colt in his own right. He was fantastic at his only start in the Golden Gift last spring. All he has to do is use this good draw to hold his position and he will be right in the finish. BEL MERCI (10) is very sharp, will be right on top of the speed and be hard to run down. GAMBLER (8) has looked very sharp in two recent barrier trials.

Thomas: WODETON (3) looked exceptional on debut last month, doing everything right during the race where he relaxed nicely off speed, then accelerated brilliantly to seize control of the race and win by a widening margin. As you pointed out, Ron, the wide draw is a concern but if Kerrin McEvoy can find cover even if three-wide, then Wodeton is good enough to get the job done. WEST OF SWINDON (2) is going to be very hard to beat. He arguably should have won the Golden Gift last spring and he looked really good in a recent trial. BEL MERCI (10) won the Gimcrack Stakes at her only start and her recent runaway Kembla trial win was stunning. If there’s an upset, it might be GAMBLER (8). His two trial wins this campaign have been outstanding and he has abundant natural speed.

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RACE 7: Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m)

Dufficy: It’s a guessing game with a few of these stayers who might sprint well fresh but I thought KINESIOLOGY (10) did more than enough first-up and he goes to 1900m which is suitable. He’s a young, talented stayer who can lift off that recent run. It’s hard to knock OUR ANCHORAGE (11) who is in great form. He has a very good racing style but is up in class and is short enough in the market. PALMETTO (5) is fit now and was much better last start. Don DON DIEGO DE VEGA (13) was disappointing first-up but he is better than that and can improve.

Thomas: I’ve landed on PALMETTO (5) in a very open race. He’s improved steadily with each run this preparation and he’s ready to win. The slight query is the 1900m but we are getting double figure odds to find out. OUR ANCHORAGE (11) has reeled off three consecutive wins this summer and although this is his toughest test, he drops 6.5kg and should be in the mix again. KINESIOLOGY (10) is the big improver and CIRCLE OF FIRE (1) needs further but he resumes off a nice trial effort.

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RACE 8: Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m)

Dufficy: I think PUBLIC ATTENTION (4) is a good each way bet in another very good race. I thought he was dominant first-up and will give a great sight again. BROADSIDING (1) is a high profile colt who has had the two barrier trials, and he was outstanding winning the Golden Rose first-up over this course and distance last spring. He is obviously well fancied and hard to bet. LINEBACKER (3) just didn’t settle well enough first-up but still ran a very good race and hopefully that run takes the edge off him. He is right there. AELIANA (11) is the dark horse. She hasn’t been let go in two trials and she adds a lot of interest as she was fantastic at the end of last preparation.

Thomas: I’ve gone the other way with BROADSIDING (1) to beat Public Attention. Broadsiding is an exceptional colt and he was desperate to go faster winning a Warwick Farm barrier trial last week. PUBLIC ATTENTION (4) has a race fitness edge after an impressive first-up win in the Eskimo Prince Stakes. He needs luck to find a position from his outside draw but he’s will be very hard to beat. LINEBACKER (3) will be fitter for his second behind Public Attention and he’s going to enjoy 1400m. SWIFTFALCON (8) is a promising three-year-old and will be finishing his race off strongly.

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RACE 9: Asahi Super Dry Hcp (1400m)

Dufficy: I’m a big fan of WATEGOS (6) here. I love the race shape as he will go forward, he’s won his only start this track and distance, and I suspect he is a big improver at odds. HEADLEY GRANGE (11) gets a set of blinkers, he’s honest and very fit, so he should be close up again. DUCASSE (7) has been gelded and was good at the end of last campaign. WEST OF AFRICA (3) has a massive finish on him. He has been kept up to the mark with a recent trial but I am just a little worried if there is enough speed up front for him.

Thomas: HEADLEY GRANGE (11) is very genuine, he’s racing in top form and comes back to 1400m which is probably his best trip. He makes his own luck racing on speed and will go close again. WEST OF AFRICA (3) came from last with an amazing finishing burst to win the Magic Millions Cup last month. He’s been freshened since and rates highly again. HIGHLIGHTS (4) ran down Headley Grange over 1600m at Randwick last start and although the shorter trip is not ideal, he’s racing well and deserves consideration. COASTWATCH (1) comes off a stakes win at Sandown and is a good each way contender.

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RACE 10: Chandon Hcp (1100m)

Dufficy: I think AUSTMARR (9) is an improver. She will take great benefit from that first-up run against most of these horses. She has drawn the inside barrier, can settle in a controlling position and will go close. SHEZANALISTER (5) did her thing first-up, she is a great fresh mare, and just has to hold that form to be right in the finish again. TIME TO BOOGIE (7) is pretty genuine and has been freshened coming back in distance here which I feel suits him. THE BLACK CLOUD (10) also did enough first-up but I wish she had drawn better.

Thomas: Fair point about THE BLACK CLOUD (10)’s draw but her first-up run was encouraging and with even luck she is going to be hard to beat. SHEZANALISTER (5) ran The Black Cloud down at Randwick and has to be among the main chances again. TIME TO BOOGIE (7) can improve and COSMONOVA (11) is a very good lightweight chance.

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CAULFIELD RACE 8: Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)

Dufficy: I think FIELD OF PLAY (1) is a good colt. He’s a big, strong type, has a lovely draw, he has a great jockey, he’s been running time and stands out to me. MY GLADIOLA (11) had the big boom on her before her defeat last start but maybe found the wrong part of the track that day so I want to give her another chance. EXTRACTOR (3) brings different form and is an improving horse. He had form around North England in the Golden Gift last preparation and then ran well first-up. Best of the rest is TEMPTED (15) who is going nicely and could surprise.

Thomas: DEVIL NIGHT (5) was run down late by Field Of Play when making his debut in the Prelude. Devil Night had excuses as he had to race on inferior ground and was late, but he’s drawn to get all the favours and at double figure odds, he’s a good gamble. TEMPTED (15) was unlucky in the Widden Stakes, she’s a talented filly and will be charging home. MY GLADIOLA (11) deserves another chance and will take catching. FIELD OF PLAY (1) is a deserved favourite and looks hard to beat.

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s Rosehill Gardens tips, analysis for Saturday: Bjorn Baker-trained runner a ‘big improver at odds’

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/horse-racing/tips/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-rosehill-gardens-tips-analysis-for-saturday-bjorn-bakertrained-runner-a-big-improver-at-odds/news-story/f03d34d1dbf226ae1bd3391d498d8074