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Ray and Duff’s tips, analysis for all 10 races at Randwick: $8.50 best

He’s waiting until the very last race on Day 2 of The Championships, but Ron Dufficy is very keen on a mare at each-way odds. Get Ray and Duff’s tips and analysis for all 10 races at Royal Randwick.

Ray Thomas
9 min read
April 12, 2024 - 12:00PM
Punters Hold All Tickets 2024 (Episode 31) 13:04:24

Racenet’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy analyse all 10 races on Day Two of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

DUFF’S BEST BET

R10 No.3 WEE NESSY (each way)

RACE 1: Fernhill Mile (1600m)

Ron Dufficy: I think BROADSIDING (3) comes out of the right form race when third off a fast tempo behind Linebacker. I thought he did enough, he is working up towards a win, the mile should suit and James McDonald is the cream on the cake. He’s top pick. MISS BUSSLINGER (2), out of the same race, was doing good work late as well so she has to be the danger. JUST PARTY (1) is a Justify colt who I think has got more to offer off his last start win and he gives the impression the mile will suit with his good racing style. RASP (7) is another improver from the Godolphin camp.

Ray Thomas: I’m also with BROADSIDING (3). He has shown steady improvement each run and he worked to the line nicely for third to Linebacker in the Baillieu. The step up to 1600m should be ideal. JUST PARTY (1) broke through at only his second start, scoring well at Wyong and he is a colt with plenty of upside. MISS BUSSLINGER (2) was doing her best work on the line in the Linebacker race and KILLCARE BEACHGIRL (6) won well on debut and although she is getting out to 1600m quickly, is a filly with obvious potential.

RACE 2: South Pacific Classic (1400m)

Ron Dufficy: I think MIDNIGHT OPAL (11) is an underrated colt. I like him. He may have been unfancied in his two runs back but there is plenty of merit in both performances and I suspect he is right up to this level. BUTCH CASSIDY (1), even with the big weight, is the danger. He had a nice toughen-up run in a better race against the older horses first-up. ROBRICK (4) was backed with confidence in the Darby Munro and was just a little flat staying at the 1200m so maybe going to 1400m now he can turn that form around. RAZORS (5) has had his couple of runs back and is at his peak now to run well.

Ray Thomas: I’ve gone with KANDINSKY ABSTRACT (13). I realise he had to scramble hard to win first-up at Warwick Farm against older horses but I liked the way he fought hard. It was an encouraging return to racing after losing his way in the spring. RAZORS (5) has been good in both runs back and rates highly and while ROBRICK (4) has a wide barrier to overcome, the 1400m suits. KADAVAR (16) is unbeaten after two impressive wins and has to drop back to 1400m but watch for him powering home late.

RACE 3: Provincial Midway Championships Final (1400m)

Ron Dufficy: I know there is a lot against TAVI TIME (1) with his outside barrier and staying at 1400m – he is a horse crying out for further – but hopefully he has stayed fresh enough and he has a bit of luck because I am convinced he is the best horse. TERRITORY EXPRESS (8) did an amazing job going to that Group 2 the other day, savaging the line and he was a big winner first-up in the Kembla heat. He has always promised and is finally delivering. STRAIT ACER (2) is a Group performer in his own right and he did go much better third-up so he is set-up well. SHADOWS OF LOVE (5) has had a month’s freshen, she is very genuine, never lies down and she is primed as well.

Ray Thomas: This is a very good race. SHADOWS OF LOVE (5) has come of age this season with four wins and two seconds from six starts. She’s been impressive winning at Rosehill and Gosford since resuming, demonstrating impressive acceleration in the latter to win well. Drawn in the middle of the field and will be hard to beat. I concede TAVI TIME (1) is the best horse in the race but there’s no doubt he is screaming out for 1600m and further. STRAIT ACER (2) indicated a return to form last start and he is the class horse of the field. TERRA MATER (6) is an underrated mare who was very good winning the Wild Card at Newcastle.

RACE 4: TAB Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: The Slipper form worked out solidly last week. I thought ENEEZA (5)’s run in the Slipper was as good as anything covering ground from a wide draw, savaging the line. So I want to be with her at the better odds here. I think AMEENA (12), another Victorian, is very sharp and may have been in the wrong part of the track suffering her first defeat last time down the straight. No knock on LADY OF CAMELOT (1), just the awkward draw and the potential of a softer track. I think her asset is her acceleration on dryer tracks but she has got the class. DRIFTING (3) is an improving filly who maps well with the timing right.

Ray Thomas: I’m staying with the class of LADY OF CAMELOT (1). Her Golden Slipper win was outstanding, as she showed determination to take a narrow gap and beat Coleman. I concede it’s not an easy task to shoulder the 59kg and overcome barrier 13 but there is no substitute for class. MORE TERRITORIES (13) created a huge impression on debut, unleashing a barnstorming finish to win on the Kensington track. She’s very promising and will make a race of it with Lady Of Camelot. FLY FLY (8) deserves to win a race and is not out of this while DRIFTING (3) shows promise.

RACE 5: Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: I am taking the risk with SCHWARZ (6). I think he has improvement from his good first-up effort and he gets such a lovely run from barrier one here for James McDonald. I think Hedged sets-up well third-up. HEDGED (9) made good ground first-up with not a lot going right there at Flemington last time in a very fast race so I am expecting something at odds from him. OZZMOSIS (1) has been hard held in a synthetic trial since that hiccup at the start of The Galaxy but he was easy in the market there which is a concern. LEARNING TO FLY (12) had a beautiful set-up with a month between runs, third-up off a long spell. It looks a nice race for her.

Ray Thomas: It all went wrong for OZZMOSIS (1) at the start of The Galaxy but I expect he will bounce back here. He won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes brilliantly last spring so he gets in well under the set weight conditions. Crack colt, back him with confidence. SCHWARZ (6) put the writing on the wall first-up in the Darby Munro Stakes and rates highly. JOLIESTAR (11) won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas last spring and although this is short of her best, she has the class to sprint well fresh. LEARNING TO FLY (12) is a very talented filly but has to overcome a horror draw.

RACE 6: The Star Australian Oaks (2400m)

Ron Dufficy: I know ZARDOZI (3) has got some ground to make up as she was outpointed by ORCHESTRAL (1) in the Vinery Stud Stakes but I still think she is on the up – she will keep her rival honest at the 2400m today. In saying that, ORCHESTRAL (1) is a class filly who has proved she is thriving with racing with that powerful Vinery win and is hard to beat again. AUTUMN ANGEL (5) was terrific with the big weight last week and on the back-up here, could upset them. TUTTA LA VITA (4) made that early move and nearly pinched it last time and I am sure Nash Rawiller has got something up his sleeve here as well.

Ray Thomas: This is set up to be a classic showdown between ORCHESTRAL (1) and ZARDOZI (3). I’m staying with ORCHESTRAL (1) who was so brave and tough winning the Vinery Stud Stakes. She is going to appreciate getting back to 2400m. So will ZARDOZI (3), the VRC Oaks winner. She loomed up in the Vinery but might have been one run short. She’s ready now. AUTUMN ANGEL (5) can challenge the favourites as she was very good under 61kg last week. TUTTA LA VITA (4) split ORCHESTRAL (1) and ZARDOZI (3) last start and will be very competitive again.

RACE 7: Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m)

Ron Dufficy: I think Ciaron Maher is strong here. CIRCLE OF FIRE (12) is not the finished article but he is a young import who has emerged quickly for this. If he executes well, I think he will be hard to beat. In saying that his stablemate ASHRUN (3) won’t be any pushover here. He was huge in the Melbourne Cup at the end of last prep and his three runs back are beautiful for this so he is ready to go. AMADE (9) is a marvel. He is rising 11. He should have bolted in with the Adelaide Cup, his form leading into this is pretty good and he is a two-mile specialist. And KALAPOUR (7) may be some risk at the distance but he does have the right form.

Ray Thomas: In a very open Sydney Cup I am going with ATHABASCAN (10) at close to double figure odds. He was working to the line well when fourth to KALAPOUR (7) in the Tancred Stakes and drops 7kg to 52kg for this race. ASHRUN (3) ran third in the Tancred and is peaking for this race. He’s a proven two-miler. CIRCLE OF FIRE (12) is a young stayer rising through the ranks very quickly and there was a lot to like about his win in the Chairman’s last week. KALAPOUR (7) won the Tancred well and has never been in better form.

RACE 8: Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m)

Ron Dufficy: I would rather back PLACE DU CARROUSEL (10) each-way than VIA SISTINA (8) straight-out. I thought PLACE DU CARROUSEL (10) was excellent in the Ranvet Stakes finishing second to VIA SISTINA (8). She was left with no excuses on the day but I think she has got room to move and I like her racing style. So I want to be with her to beat VIA SISTINA (8) who obviously is world class. She has to go to a fast race now but she did everything expected of her and a touch more winning the Ranvet and understandably is all the rage. PRIDE OF JENNI (7) is an exciting mare who is set to put plenty of spark into this race and it will take a good chase to run her down. MR BRIGHTSIDE (1) will appreciate that little bit more jar in the track this week and he does love Randwick.

Ray Thomas: VIA SISTINA (8) was so impressive in the Ranvet Stakes, accelerating brilliantly to win with ease and running sectionals that were off the charts. She’s obviously extremely talented and I don’t think the expected fast race tempo here will trouble her. PRIDE OF JENNI (7) is going to give VIA SISTINA (8) something to chase. She has been magnificent all season, she will control the race from the front and will be typically tough to run down. I’ve got the mares running the trifecta with PLACE DU CARROUSEL (10) ready to run well after her very good second in the Ranvet. CASCADIAN (2) was so good in the Australian Cup and he will be charging home again.

RACE 9: Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m)

Ron Dufficy: I am leaning to ZOUGOTCHA (2). She has been good this preparation – two from two. She has a lovely draw and no problems at all with the track and distance. She will be hard enough to beat in a very competitive race. I think the three-year-old is her a danger, TROPICAL SQUALL (14), who has been kept fresh since a brave run in the Coolmore. Third-up here and looks to dominate from the front which is her asset. ATISHU (1) is back to her own sex after a solid Australian Cup run and won this race with a leg in the air on a Soft 7 last year. I am not letting go of RENAISSANCE WOMAN (9). Her runs are better than they read on paper and at $51 she is worth a speck.

Ray Thomas: ZOUGOTCHA (2) sets up so well here. She’s in great form winning the Millie Fox Stakes first-up then shouldered topweight in the Coolmore Classic and scored narrowly but impressively. She’s well in at set weights, drawn well in barrier one, has won at Group 1 level over the Randwick mile and the soft track conditions will suit. MAKARENA (16) has raced without luck this preparation. She is still trying to get out from behind runners in the Emancipation Stakes. She is bursting to win a race and this could be her day. TROPICAL SQUALL (14) is a dual Group 1 winner and will be very hard to beat. OLENTIA (6) was brilliant in the Emancipation and rates highly.

RACE 10: Sapphire Stakes (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: I’m pretty keen on WEE NESSY (3). I am hoping the track stays in the Soft range. I’ve really liked her couple of runs back from a spell. She is a better mare when she does get the jar out of the track and she did run second in the Arrowfield this time last year so this looks her target race. TASHI (4) has really come of age this preparation. She has been very good in all four runs back and should run well again. C’EST MAGIQUE (2) comes out of the Chain Of Lightning race and can improve after being dragged back from a wide draw. Her previous two runs were great. RED CARD (1) is much more mature and genuine, winning two straight this prep. She is likeable but has got a wide draw and 1200m today which won’t be as easy.

Ray Thomas: RED CARD (1) is flying this preparation. She was dynamic in the Maurice McCarten Stakes and even though she has to stretch her brilliance to 1200m from a wide draw, she’s the one to beat. SALTAIRE (14) ran well at Flemington behind the very promising Estriella and has drawn to get all the favours here. TASHI (4) is very genuine and will be in the finish. DALCHINI (8) is at big odds but often sprints very well fresh.

Originally published as Ray and Duff’s tips, analysis for all 10 races at Randwick: $8.50 best

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