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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s Randwick tips: Punters should plan their Exit on Saturday

Ron Dufficy is keen on the chances of a Danny Williams-trained runner that can get punters off to a terrific start at Randwick on Saturday. Get Duff and Ray Thomas’ race-by-race tips and analysis.

Ray Thomas
9 min read
June 20, 2025 - 11:10AM

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy debate the chances on Saturday’s 10-race program at Royal Randwick.

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DUFF’S BEST BET
Race 2 No.3 EXIT FEE

DUFF’S BEST VALUE
Race 8 No.6 OH DIAMOND LIL

• EXPERT TIPS: Clinton Payne’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday

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RACE 1: Midway Hcp (1600m)

Ron Dufficy: I liked the way AIX EN PROVENCE (5) put them away there first-up and although there’s a little question mark whether he was flattered by the heavy track, I’m willing to take the risk at the price. CALLISTEMON (12) hasn’t won in a while but she went close last start and she’s going really well. HOOLIGAN TOMMY (6) is off a dominant win last start and could easily go on with the job. DANISH PRINCE (10) doesn’t win out of turn but is very tough and never far away.

Ray Thomas: HOOLIGAN TOMMY (6) was dominant at Kembla Grange to continue his consistent form this campaign. This is harder but he’s very fit and suited over this course and distance. PIRAEUS (4) gets back on a firmer deck here and can improve sharply. HELLFIRE EXPRESS (2) led throughout and scored comfortably over 1500m here last start. Prefers a touch more give in the ground but he still rates among the main chances. AIX EN PROVENCE (5) bolted home at Newcastle first-up and should be further improved.

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RACE 2: TAB Highway (1200m)

Dufficy: Very keen on EXIT FEE (3). I’ve loved his two trials, he had good Highway form when last in work, and he’s a young horse that could go through a few grades this preparation. The danger is SHROPSHIRE LAD (1). He will take great benefit from that Highway experience last run and I just wish he had drawn a bit better for a softer run. CALICO MISS (11) is a three-year-old filly with upside. It’s not easy coming to a Highway so quickly but she is sharp and has drawn well. SATIN STILETTO (2) did enough in a lead-up and gets a better draw here.

Thomas: SHROPSHIRE LAD (1) won brilliantly at the Scone stand-alone meeting then was wide albeit with cover at Randwick and was beaten by a narrow margin. Tough effort last start and he’s the one to beat although his wide draw is a leveller. CALICO MISS (11) is a speedy filly who has shown plenty of promise in her debut preparation. She’s confronted by a steep rise in grade but her inside draw is advantageous. PRETTY VEGAS (4) is racing consistently and EXIT FEE (3) has to be included in the main chances.

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RACE 3: Quayclean Hcp (1300m)

Dufficy: BRAVE ONE (4) fought hard behind a nice type last start. He has a tricky draw but with any luck this looks a nice race for him. BENGAL (3) will find this harder than his Highway win last start but he’s a three-year-old on the improve from an in-form stable. LUNAITE (10) is an interesting filly off two big heavy track wins. She’s Paul Snowden’s first Saturday runner who looks well fancied. PRETTY POWERFUL (7) is an untapped colt resuming off two good wins and should be respected.

Thomas: BRAVE ONE (4) ran well first-up on a heavy track at Canterbury then matched motors with Kerguelen as they drew clear of their rivals at Rosehill last start. Team Hawkes has found the right race for Brave One, he just needs a touch of luck from an awkward draw and he will be in the finish. LUNAITE (10) has put a margin on her rivals with easy wins at Newcastle in successive starts and deserves her chance here. AMUSING (11) showed promise in her debut preparation and is one to watch. SECURE (5) comes off two solid midweek wins.

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RACE 4: Elite Sand And Soil Hcp (1800m)

Dufficy: Tricky race. I’m with SHE’S UNUSUAL (9) who is third-up now and gives the impression she wants this distance. I’m happy to go with different form. MILLIE DE LUNE (12) was quite dominant winning last start and if she can turn that form around to a firmer track here she will be hard to beat again. PIPPIE BEACH (3) comes out of a slowly run lead-up but she is going well in two runs this preparation and can’t knock her consistency. SEAFALL (2) maps better from this draw with a forgivable wet track run last start.

Thomas: GENTLESCHI (8) had to come back slightly in trip and wasn’t suited by an indifferent tempo but she closed the race off strongly to finish fifth, beaten only about a half length behind Shohisha over 1600m here last start. The step up to 1800m suits here and she’s at value odds. MILLIE DE LUNE (12) finished her race off powerfully to beat Hurstville Zagreb over 2000m her last start and although she has to come back slightly in trip, she’s a filly racing in very good form. PIGGYBACK (5) has returned in very good form and is right in the mix again.

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RACE 5: QMS Media Hcp (1600m)

Dufficy: I liked the way SOUNDS UNUSUAL (2) put away his rivals last start, looking like a promising middle distance type in the making. With any luck from the draw he is going to be hard to beat again. MISS KIM KAR (5) was not suited by the style of race last start but she gets nice cover with the claim here and is back in grade. INTERJECTION (3) ran a much better run with not much luck last start and does not work from the draw here on a suitable dry track. HOPPER (11) was great first-up, went up in class last time and ran well and might have more upside than most here.

Thomas: SOUNDS UNUSUAL (2) demolished his rivals at Warwick Farm winning by a big margin in heavy going but he’s just as effective on a firmer track. He’s in the zone now and will be hard to beat again despite the outside draw. MISS KIM KAR (5) just missed a place at Randwick last start but wasn’t beaten far in a race where the tempo was against her. She’s racing well and can bounce back. HOPPER (11) has returned in good form and made a race of it with Mickey’s Medal last start and that horse has since won again. ENGINE ROOM (6) won’t be far away.

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RACE 6: The Living Turf Hcp (1800m)

Dufficy: I like a longshot here in SALT LAKE CITY (1). He’s an import who produced a much better run behind Loch Eagle at just his second Australian start in harder grade than this when he covered ground and ran fifth. With the claim and down in grade, I’m happy to have something on him at odds. ZAPHOD (4) didn’t handle the very heavy track last start but I like the blinkers going on with the inside draw. PROMITTO (7) is going well without winning and although up in class he is very well weighted and has a good chance. QUANTUM CAT (10) has his hoof on the till and this appears a suitable race for him.

Thomas: QUANTUM CAT (10) struck a very heavy track at Randwick but stuck to his guns when third to Glory Daze over 2000m. He has to come back slightly in trip but is better suited in the drier conditions. This is his chance. ZAPHOD (4) was an unplaced favourite in the same Randwick race last start deserves another chance on the firmer track here. HOLLYWOOD HERO (2) didn’t have a lot of luck last start and stays under notice. I’m also wary of the improving SALT LAKE CITY (1).

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RACE 7: Asahi Super Dry Hcp (1000m)

Dufficy: SHALL BE (4) appeals at odds to me. He’s a shortcourse specialist resuming, he’s a three-year-old who has done nothing wrong, he’s got that coveted draw in a very fast race, and I feel he can sit right on them and run a very good race. GITALONG (2) was close up behind STORM THE RAMPARTS (1) last start and is 2.5kgs better off at the weights this time. HI DUBAI (3) might improve with that one run under her belt. LULUMON (6) was great first-up, should be forgiven for her last start failure and will be charging home off the hot speed.

Thomas: GITALONG (2) travelled wide in front at Randwick last start and led for a long way only to be edged out by STORM THE RAMPARTS (1). The pair clash again, Gitalong is drawn inside his rival and meets him better at the weights. Gitalong on top from HI DUBAI (3) who ran very well when resuming and gets in nicely at the weights after the claim. LULUMON (6) ran down Storm The Ramparts at Gosford then had excuses at Rosehill and she rates among the main chances. No knock on Storm The Ramparts although he is creeping up in the weights.

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RACE 8: Traffic Warden At Darley Hcp (1400m)

Dufficy: OH DIAMOND LIL (6) was great winning first-up then a little flat last time on a softer track so back on a firmer footing and in a race where she can get some control she will be harder to run down. RAIKKONEN (1) is an exciting prospect heading in the right direction. He was fantastic with no luck last start but just that big weight and wide draw won’t make it easy for him. CAPTAIN AMELIA (9) is going better than her form suggests and the drier track plays into her hands. WOOLOOWIN (3) was very good back to this class last start and she can hold that form now.

Thomas: RAIKKONEN (1) is an emergency in the Civic Stakes but is in the field for that race now. If the stable runs here, he’s the one to beat but it is likely they will go to the stakes race. If Raikkonen comes out as expected, then this is a very open race. CODE IN TIME (12) raced very consistently last campaign, resumes here off two even trials and he does sprint well fresh. OH DIAMOND LIL (6) can improve sharply on the drier track, as you pointed out, Ronnie. FIDDLERS GREEN (13) was very good first-up at Warwick Farm and will be finishing strongly.

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RACE 9: Civic Stakes (1400m)

Dufficy: This is a good Civic Stakes, Ray. This is a better option for RAIKKONEN (21) even though it is a tougher race. If he gets a run he has a huge chance. HEADLEY GRANGE (13) is building a good looking record and it is hard to knock him even though there is more depth to this race. GREBENI (6) will be running on strongly late on the back-up. WELWAL (2) has had a few excuses of late and he is capable of an upset.

Thomas: HEADLEY GRANGE (13) resumed with a brilliant win over 1300m at Randwick. He was held up for a run in the straight but when the gap came, he accelerated impressively and recorded a fast closing 200m sectional to win well. He will be fitter and excels over the 1400m here. RAIKKONEN (21) will be very hard to beat. He’s a promising young sprinter and will be hitting the line hard. GREBENI (6) is racing very well and deserves a win. BASES LOADED (5) sprints well fresh and is drawn to advantage.

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RACE 10: Switzerland At Coolmore Hcp (1200m)

Dufficy: Godolphin is very strong here, I like all their horses. I’m interested in RAZORS (10). Although he hasn’t raced for over a year he is very genuine and is trialling nicely. KERGUELEN (19) is the pick in the market of the Godolphin team but it is a big step in grade although he does look a nice horse in the making. He just has to prove himself on a drier track. CONTEMPORARY (1) hasn’t won in a while but is nicely placed here third-up and loves the track and distance. FULLY LIT (14) has blinkers on and back to a drier track is capable of improving.

Thomas: I’ve gone with KERGUELEN (19). He’s lightly raced but obviously has ability and was impressive first-up beating Brave One at Rosehill. He will be improved and should go close despite his awkward draw. ACCREDITED (5) has drawn outside Kerguelen but will be suited getting onto a drier track. CONTEMPORARY (1) is up in the weights but he was competitive in a strong form race last start and PEREILLE (3) is fitter for recent racing.

• Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s Randwick tips: Punters should plan their Exit on Saturday

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-randwick-tips-punters-should-plan-their-exit-on-saturday/news-story/587f638ecd03b1671f66a45addaf3f54