Randwick tips: Shayne O’Cass and Mitch Cohen’s best bets and analysis

Shayne O’Cass and Mitch Cohen discuss the top chances in every race at Randwick on Saturday.

Vienna Princess can atone at Randwick on Saturday after a luckless run last start. Picture: Grant Guy

The Daily Telegraph form experts Shayne O’Cass and Mitch Cohen debate the chances on the 10-race Randwick program on Saturday.

RACE 1

Shayno: I Am Famous is the $2m yearling, half-sister to Classique Legend who was disappointing from a punting point of view at the midweeks at Warwick Farm but she may have had a few little excuses. Bottom line is, she raced like a horse that had plenty of natural improvement to come, but she will need to lift just the same to win on Saturday. Colours Of Autumn likewise had “next time” written all over on debut at Kembla in a deep race where she should have finished closer to the impressive winner and Saturday rival Mad Deel. The 1400m at HQ is bang on for her.

Mitch: Mad Deel certainly didn't cost the $2m quote of I Am Famous but he’s a well-bred galloper himself. The son of Dundeel is out of former Magic Millions 2YO Classic placegetter Madeenaty and looks to have quite the future himself. He was excellent coming from last to win at Kembla Grange second up and can run a bold race. The Little Pumper should find the front from barrier one. They couldn’t run him down first up at Canterbury and it could be the case again. Canadian Ruler is an on speed galloper but will need to do work early from the wide gate.

RACE 2

Shayno: Tympanist is a dual acceptor for this 1600m Midway or an 1800m race later in the day. Just my own hunch is that 1800m is better for him but he is close to a win wherever he goes. Been good and unlucky this preparation. The rail is out a long way on Saturday and if it favours on-pacers, the already bright prospects of Oakfield Waratah increase dramatically. He is a reliable commodity who has proven himself as a genuine Saturday horse. Decadent Tale has a wide draw, even for a Randwick mile start, it will be interesting to see where she settles.

Mitch: Oakfield Waratah is the sort of horse you’d love to own. The Kristen Buchanan-trained galloper hasn’t missed the placings in his past six runs, with three wins coming in that time. Back in Midway grade here, he looks a leading contender. Dimaggio is rock-hard fit now after a couple of placings. He’s never far away and should get his chance again from a favourable draw. Pharaoh’s Reign looks suited by the step back to a mile at a track and trip he finished second over two starts ago.

RACE 3

Shayno: I feel that Melody Again is one of those horses we occasionally see that are beyond Highway class. Granted Mitchy, she has to win one first but she looks to me like she comes to town with all guns blazing after a spectacular trial win at Muswellbrook. Barrier one will either turn out to be a blessing or a curse. Take The Kitty has gone home to Murwillumbah and really found her groove with those back to back wins there – both with more authority than the margins suggest. Iron Will is unbeaten first-up and has the rail position and draw to suit.

Mitch: Iron Will is dynamite fresh. Both his two career wins have come first-up from a break and tipping he can complete the hat-trick here. He trialled up nicely behind multiple Highway winner Pokerjack recently with another bold fresh showing seemingly on the cards. Zaru is never far away in these Highways but hasn’t made winning a habit. A victim of his pattern, he’s got just two wins and 17 placings from 32 goes. Wild Irish Rover got the sentimental win for retiring trainer Geoff Duryea but can he do it again for new conditioner Gary Colvin? It’s certainly not beyond him.

RACE 4

Shayno: Said it all before vis-a-vie Tympanist but I will say again, I hope he runs here at 1800m instead of the mile in the Midway. Louisville, the grandson of Jezabeel, hasn’t missed a beat in his three starts here in Australia since coming over from New Zealand. He should have no issue at all with the 1800m on breeding and has had a very solid foundation on the track. Speaking of the 1800m, it’s a much better set-up for Estadio Mestalla than the 2000m last start. Awesome Wonder will be strong late if horses can make ground with the rail out.

Mitch: Punters haven’t missed Louisville, who has been backed from $3.80 into $2.60 favourite. I can see why. He’s really taken to racing in Australia and it took a good one in Aristonous to beat him last time. The 12 gate next to his name seems the only negative. Camaguey is no star but this is his time of year. He only needs to hold his form from a great draw. Awesome Wonder is out of 2012 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Nechita but is more suited to the longer trips. Expecting him to be one of the strongest late.

Dakota Vroom scratched from Wednesday to run at Randwick. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 5

Shayno: Looking forward to seeing two good fillies square here Mitchy in Capitol Queen and Catchy’s little $1.2m yearling Dakota Vroom. For what it is worth, I am with Capitol Queen who was very good winning on debut at Canterbury then went straight into the Eskimo Prince and while she didn’t measure up, it was all a bit quick for her in hindsight. We will see her in stakes races again in the new season so too the Waller filly who had the race fitness edge. Speaking of Waller, Atlantic Ocean has been trialling like he will run a race.

Mitch: There's no shortage of blue bloods lining up across the card and Dakota Vroom is another one. Chris Waller elected to scratch from a race that she probably wins at Canterbury on Wednesday so I will take that as a pointer to his opinion of her. Her first-up success at Warwick Farm was brilliant. Hi Dubai has been the bridesmaid twice this preparation and should put herself right there again. Time To Boogie and Tintookie ensure it’s a deep race.

RACE 6

Shayno: Cosmic Minerva is third-up and ready to peak on Saturday. His two lead-ups were both over 1300m at Rosehill on days where it was hard to mark up a lot of ground so he deserves to be marked up on that score. The step to 1400m is a plus and he gets the lightweight to offset the rise in class. Major Artie makes his (new) stable debut here off some truly outstanding trials. Back-up winner Battleton could easily repeat. Respecting Vienna Princess who was something licked last start.

Mitch: Find me a horse that was more unlucky than Vienna Princess last start. She was a certainty beaten when Kerrin McEvoy got caught on the fence. Her win before that was one of a horse going places and reckon she will atone on Saturday. I’ve got plenty of respect for Zoushack. He rarely puts in a bad showing and should be at peak fitness now. Gets a big tick from the gate too. Major Artie often finds his best second up but his trials suggest he’s ready to do something first up for the Freedmans.

RACE 7

Shayno: Ottilie has four wins and four seconds from 12 starts which is an admirable record and a reflection of how well she has been placed by Jason Deamer who has pretty much never sent her around in a race she flat-out couldn’t win. She was always likeable here, you got to love her now that she drew box three. All that stuff about placement and so forth goes double for Overriding who has won the same amount of races as Ottilie in half the time. Fearnought is a player if they are running on.

Mitch: It's hard to pot a filly like Overriding. Nathan Doyle has her absolutely flying this time in with three victories including an excellent last start win over 1300m at Randwck. This harder again but she’s progressive for sure. The market has it bang on with Ottilie the clear and obvious danger. His front running effort last time at Warwick Farm was superb. He will be in this a long way. Centrestone is a nice enough mare with wins in three of her seven starts already.

RACE 8

Shayno: Silent Agenda should have won last Saturday. Here’s something for us breeding nerds/enthusiasts that I find quite amazing. Silent Agenda’s dam is by, wait for it, Ideal Planet. I would bet money that there wouldn’t be another one racing anywhere on Saturday or maybe any other day! Did you see Tazaral’s trials, Mitchy? Gee whiz they were good. The draw is a bit iffy with the rail out but still can win. Respecting Gracilistyla who is getting closer with every run.

Mitch: How on earth did Stonecoat win first-up? The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding looked dead to rights before kicking back to beat Excelladus. The old “bone and muscle” was in full force and no reason why it won’t be the case again. Aussie preparation number two has saw many an import improve and maybe Tazaral will be no different. He’s trials certainly indicate he’s back in good order. Super Pursuit and Gracilistyla continue to feature around the money but don’t wind as often as you’d like.

Stonecoat can win again. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 9

Shayno: First In Line was $21 for no good reason when he resumed here on June 24. He was only been three or four in the Canberra Cup behind Arapaho and Explosive before the spell and was tuned up for the return with a nice trial. For the record, he ran third that day and has had the tick over trial. Well placed to score. Logan Street Lion is a really consistent son of Tavistock with such a good on-speed pattern. Did I mention the rail’s out a long way on Saturday, Mitchy?

Mitch: Winning form is good form and Attractable has it in spades. His grit and determination has been on full display with consecutive city victories and can continue in the same vein in from a perfect gate. Have to agree on First In Line. He ran well above market expectation first-up and should be battle hardened by that experience. Logan Street Lion has produced some of the best runs of his career over 1800m. Second-up now, he should be a sharp improver.

RACE 10

Shayno: Troach, the daughter of Anise and great granddaughter of Twiglet, has serious black-type form being a Listed winner and Group 3 runner-up. One little stat that I found interesting, if not even a little troubling is that she is unplaced in all four runs at HQ. Odd. Hate the draw but it’s not a life sentence over the 1000m at Randwick. Huge respect headed the way of Tristate and Rubinocchi. Tens-on that the black booker out of the race will be Keshana in my opinion.

Mitch: Speedy machine Passeggiata will give them something to catch but Omni Man will be hot on his heels and can lower the filly’s colours again. He comfortably rounded up the Bjorn Baker-trained galloper last start and his form around Insurrection looks even better now after the latter’s win last week. Keshana was brought as a breeding prospect but the trials have been good enough to suggest she can run well on Australian debut.

Originally published as Randwick tips: Shayne O’Cass and Mitch Cohen’s best bets and analysis