Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy

TAB BIG BETS: THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss the main chances at Randwick on Saturday.

THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss the main chances at Randwick on Saturday.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

INSIDE MAIL: BIG BETS, WORK WHISPERS, QUADDIES

R2: TAB MORE THAN WINNING PLATE (1000m)

Thomas: I’m leaning to Twist Tops here. She showed abundant speed and talent at the early season juvenile trials but drew off the track in the Gimcrack Stakes when fourth to Calliope then she again drew wide and had excuses at Moonee Valley. She resumes here off another brilliant Wyong trial win and importantly has drawn nicely in gate two. Prized Icon is the danger while Scarlet Rain and Snow Surrender are the other chances.

Dufficy: I have Prized Icon as one of the better bets of the day. He was good in a couple of barrier trials then caught me with his excellent Breeders Plate effort. He resumes here and had a quiet trial without blinkers last week. The blinkers go back on and Hugh Bowman rides so Prized Icon makes plenty of appeal. Twist Tops, Scarlet Rain and Sweet Surrender the other hopes.

TAB market movers: Twist Tops $8 — $6 ($500 @ $7), Snow Surrender $11 — $8.

R3: CARRINGTON STAKES (1400m)

Thomas: With the track certain to be rain-affected, I think Voilier’s race fitness gives him the edge. Talented three-year-old who has been placed against the older horses at both runs this campaign, he gives the impression he is looking for 1400m now. He is in on the limit and does handle rain-affected tracks. You’ll Never, Red Excitement and Medcaut can fill the placings between them.

Dufficy: I like You’ll Never. He should be ready to go given his pattern of sprinting well fresh and he did win first-up at 1350m at Rosehill last preparation when he was very strong to the line. Medcaut comes off two strong Randwick wins and if there is to be an upset Hidden Warrior looks overs to me.

TAB market movers: You’ll Never $4.20 — $3.80 — $4.20 ($1000 @ $4.20), Medcaut $2.80 — $3.20 — $2.80 ($1100 @ $2.80), Zin Zan Eddie $6.50 — $5.

Medcaut will be chasing a third straight win on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans

R6: MORE THAN READY AT VINERY HCP (1600m)

Thomas: Pioneering is my top selection although the $2.80 is rock bottom odds. I also like Kellyville Flyer, particularly at the $11. Sweet Fire is fit now and All Cerise is in the form of her life.

Dufficy: Chris Waller has all the aces but I think his longer odds runners, Sweet Fire and Pico Turquino, can figure in this race. Sweet Fire has a big weight but she is a proven weight carrier and did win third up at Randwick over 1800m last preparation. Pico Turquino can threaten here as nothing has gone right for her in both runs back. Pioneering is racing in good form but she is well found in the market. I concede Kellyville Flyer is value.

TAB market movers: Kellyville Flyer $15 — $11, Mydream $51 — $15, Bet You She Rocks $26 — $17.

STABLE WATCH: INSIDE MAIL FOR RANDWICK

R7: TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP (1600m)

Thomas: I was taken by Archean’s first-up run when he was just edged out by Kanji in a strong form race. Archean is a promising stayer and although he is still at 1600m here, the wet track will make this more of a stamina test. If the track was firm, Herne’s Oak would have been on top. Cauthen’s Power has been costly but this is a race he could win while Chestnut Road doesn’t want it too wet.

Dufficy: The weather has thrown this race wide open and we might have to revisit it after scratching time. At this stage, I’m tipping Herne’s Oak. His second-up statistics are great with two wins from three attempts and finds himself in a suitable race. Cauthen’s Power has had a few hard runs and is very fit but he doesn’t want too much rain. Chestnut Road was scratched due to the wet track last week but he does go well at Randwick. Archean is second-up and still at the mile but he did win at his second run in last preparation.

TAB market movers: Herne’s Oak $11 — $9.50 ($500 @ $9.50), Testashadow $8 — $6 ($400 @ $7), Soros $26 — $15.

R8: MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS HCP (1000m)

Thomas: Kris Lees has three good sprinters in this race — Senta De Noche, Felines and Raido. Senta De Noche is very capable but it has been a while since he has shown his best form. I’m leaning to Raido but only just over Felines. Floral Insight can run a race at odds, he is a 1000m specialist and gets in with a light weight here.

Dufficy: I agree — I’m tipping Bowman to have a good day and I like Raido. There is a sense of timing about this horse third-up after two seconds at Canterbury. I know he is up 6.5kg but I’m not worried about that over 1000m. The danger is Cosmic Cameo while Felines is a good chance although she is well found at $3.

TAB market movers: Senta De Noche $26 — $21, Rose Of Falvelon $26 — $21, Just A Bullet $15 — $13, Rose Of Man $8 — $7 ($500 @ $8).

Herne’s Oak has a great second-up record. Picture: Simon Bullard

R9: HYLAND RACE COLOURS HCP (2000m)

Thomas: I’m with Another Cocktail. He was second-up at 1600m last week when unplaced as favourite but is on the quick back-up here, a tactic Chris Waller uses regularly with success, and significantly he is out to a more suitable 2000m. He is my bet of the day. White Dove, King’s Officer and Kanji all have definite claims.

Dufficy: My best value runner of the day is Kanji. He wasn’t obvious last week but he was in the worst part of the track and stayed at the mile. On the quick back-up and getting to 2000m with the sting out of the track are in Kanji’s favour here. Another Cocktail is in a similar situation and has the 3kg claim of the star apprentice Andrew Adkins. Game Pie had no luck at Canterbury and will improve. Watch out for Loving Home who has had a trial since his first-up run and Waller has gone to Bowman for the ride.

TAB market movers: Last Wish $21 — $17, White Dove $12 — $9.50.

DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

BEST BET

Race 2, No. 1 PRIZED ICON

BEST VALUE

Race 9, No. 6 KANJI

TAB MARKET MOVERS

RANDWICK

Race 1: Top Score $4.60 — $3.50 ($1300 @ $4).

Race 4: El Sasso $10 — $8, Meursault $4.40 — $3.50 ($1500 @ $3.50). Deduction 13c for Onemorezeta.

Race 5: Atom Eve $3.80 — $2.50 ($1500 and $1000 @ $2.90, $3350 @ $2.60), Madame De Ban $9.50 — $7, Lord Von Costa $10 — $7.50 — $8 ($500 @ $10, $500 @ $8.50).

MOONEE VALLEY

Race 1: Yellen $4.40 — $4 ($600 @ $4.40).

Race 2: Danuki $4.60 — $3.80 ($1000 @ $4.60), Challenge Accepted $26 — $9, Street Pride $18 — $13.

Race 3: Miss Steele $8.50 — $6 ($400 @ $8.50), Our Harmony $6.50 — $4.40, Calaverite $4 — $4.20 — $3.20 ($1000 @ $3.80). Deduction 6c x 6c for Fine Approach.

Race 4: Big Don $18 — $10. Deduction 3c x 3c for Value Of Justice.

Race 5: Profit Share $4 — $3.60, Del Prado $2.90 — $2.60. Deduction 2c for Word Of Mouth; 2c for Eunice.

Race 6: Radical $4.50 — $3.90 ($1000 @ $4.50, $1000 @ $4.20), Prima $17 — $7. Deduction 3c x 3c for Rich River.

Race 7: Rebel Dane $3.20 — $3.40 — $3.20 ($1000 [twice] @ $3.40), Mourinho $21 — $9.50, It Is Written $81 — $26, Sirbible $15 — $11 ($500 e/w @ $14/$3.88, $500 e/w @ $11/$3.35), Rageese $13 — $9, Holler $11 — $8.

Race 8: Shakespearean Lass $3.20 — $3 ($1000 @ $3.20, $1000 @ $3).

Race 9: Rationality $4.40 — $3.80 ($600 @ $4.20).

DOOMBEN

Race 3: Cramming $6.50 — $6 ($500 @ $6.50).

Race 4: Tibrogargan Miss $10 — $8, Spinnaker Run $7 — $6 ($500 @ $7).

Race 6: Sea Red $3.50 — $3 ($1000 @ $3.50).

Race 7: The Special Two $12 — $9.50.

Race 8: Bold Attraction $4.60 — $4 ($1500 @ $4.60), Little White (3E) $8 — $6.50 ($500 @ $8).