Saturday Best with Ray Hickson and Ron Dufficy

TAB BIG BETS: THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Hickson and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy discuss Saturday’s Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick.

THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Hickson and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy discuss Saturday’s Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick.

WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE VALUE BETS

RANDWICK: SPORTSMAN PREVIEW

NEWS: SNOWDEN ABORTS CAPITALIST’S MISSILE LAUNCH

R4: TAB HIGHWAY HCP (1400m)

Dufficy: The scratching of Appoint Percy has thrown it way up in the air, as he would have stood out. I have a close eye on Linsang. I know she’s more a middle-distance type resuming but it is typical of Matty Dale to resume without a trial and he’s found Blake Shinn to ride. Attainment is racing well and looks a danger, plus I’ve got an eye on Tudor Sunrise who caught the eye at her last two starts.

Hickson: I was on Explosive Scene last week and I thought he ran quite well. Backing up isn’t any problem and I like that form around King’s Officer and Erika three starts back. A Magic Zariz has good winning form, though I agree the western form can be a bit hard to line up. Attainment has to go in there and I respect what you say about Linsang, if there’s any support it’ll be significant.

R5: MISSILE STAKES (1200m)

Dufficy: With Capitalist out, it’s become a tricky race with no speed so it will be a tactical affair. Rebel Dane is the horse to beat, all his past five runs have been in big Group 1s and he has some good fresh form and Randwick form. Big Money is a terrific old horse whose track and distance form is OK.

Hickson: Rebel Dane has shown some tactical ability in the past but he’s certainly not going to lead. He has to go on top by default, he’s the best horse in the race with the best Group 1 form and his last win was on a soft 7 at Randwick. The wet track helps Mount Nebo, even though he isn’t a WFA horse, while Big Money has to be a chance.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Big Money $9.50 unchanged ($300 x $400 @ $9.50/$3), Rebel Dane $6-$4.60 ($500 @ $5)

Rebel Dane has a good fresh record and won’t have to contend with Capitalist in the Missile. Picture: Simon Bullard

R6: THE ROSEBUD (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m with the fit horse in Thronum. He’s in really good form and has the big Randwick heavy track win two starts back and not a lot went right in what looks like a strong race behind Tango Rain. Mediterranean is a lovely horse and is only going to get better. He’s had a month and a trial win since that first-up win but I wonder if that wasn’t as strong a race. I’m not disrespecting Hair Trigger who is a promising type and hits the line well.

Hickson: He’s short enough but I’ll stick with Mediterranean because he should get better as he goes along. He beat them easily first-up and he measured up reasonably in good races as a younger horse. There wasn’t much between Hair Trigger and Thronum last time and I don’t think there’ll be much between them here.

R7: THE WALLABY CUP (1600m)

Dufficy: I’ve specked a longshot in Bring Luck. He’s his own worst enemy but I thought his first-up run at Rosehill over an unsuitable distance was strong. I liked the way he made up ground late and he’s gone back to the trials where he wasn’t extended. The wet is his go and I think he’ll run a big race. Quick Defence is the danger, he’s coming off a big win and looks to have really turned the corner. And how can you pot King’s Officer who has amazing form on wet tracks.

Hickson: I can’t ignore the picket fence King’s Officer has going. He’s a genuine heavy tracker and has run well at Randwick in the wet so that’s a tick. Dubaiinstyle has sucked me in a few times and he’s threatening like he has been all preparation. It’s just a matter of if the breaks go his way and whether he wants it. Quick Defence is also a chance.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Quick Defence $3.20 unchanged ($1,000 @ $3.20), Bring Luck $26-$12

Bring Luck loves the wet and looks good value on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans

R8: POWHF DIRECTORS HCP (1200m)

Dufficy: Always dangerous tipping first-uppers on heavy 10 tracks but I think Dixie Blossoms has a lap on them. I loved her trial leading into the race and if Ron Quinton decides to run her she can get over the top of them on class alone. I wouldn’t be treating Tree Of Jesse lightly at double-figure odds and of the others, Viaductress is the weight horse and has good second-up form.

Hickson: I’ve gone down the bottom of the weights with Rock On Zariz. The pattern will decide my confidence levels but she’s a Randwick soft track winner and she hit the line well last week. Viaductress will run well again, while you’ve said it all about Dixie Blossoms, she’s the best horse in the race.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Electric Power $15-$14 ($2,000 @ $15), Rock On Zariz $9.50 unchanged ($300 @ $9.50, $250 @ $9.50)

R9: ROTARY CLUB OF BOTANY BAY (1200m)

Dufficy: With the Godolphin horses coming out, Burning Passion looks close to a good thing. He won easily on a heavy track here last start and has trialled well since.

Hickson: Again I’m going down in the weights and with race fitness with Star Shaft. He had a long overdue win last start and he has Randwick wet track form to his name, and he’s flying. A good each-way chance. Burning Passion was dominant winning a similar race last start and I’m very frightened of him now the Godolphin horses aren’t there.

DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

BEST BET

Race 8, No. 2 DIXIE BLOSSOMS

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No. 2 THRONUM

Race 9, No. 2 BURNING PASSION

VALUE

Race 7, No. 8 BRING LUCK