Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy

TAB BIG BETS: THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy preview Saturday’s main races at Randwick and Eagle Farm.

THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy preview Saturday’s main races at Randwick and Eagle Farm.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

SPORTSMAN PREVIEW: RANDWICK

RANDWICK

R5: RACING TO WIN HCP (1600m)

Thomas: I’m leaning to Voilier. There is no real speed in this race so he could easily lead or park on the pace. With Andrew Adkins’ claim, he carries only 50.5kg and with his light weight, he is going to take some pegging back. Marenostro is obviously in tremendous form, he is at his favourite distance and on a wet track, where he excels. He is the one to beat. Ammirata was good last week, Farolitos is a great lightweight chance and Berry Delicious is better suited coming back in trip.

Dufficy: I thought Berry Delicious was cruising up to win last start but just didn’t run the 1800m right out. This is a better race for her back to the mile and she loves the sting out of the ground. Marenostro is up 4kg but he hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation. Farolitos loves Randwick and wet tracks, and he does drop significantly in weight.

Berry Delicious looks better suited back to the mile on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

R6: JBS AUSTRALIA HCP (1400m)

Thomas: Wine Tales ran last of 10 when resuming last week but her run was much better than it reads on paper. She was held up all the way down the straight, she was never tested, and was only beaten about three lengths. I am encouraged that trainer Chris Waller is happy to back her up quickly here. Three mares in good form, Trois Choix, Harlem Lady and Elle Lou all handle wet tracks and have a fitness edge over Wine Tales.

Dufficy: I found this the hardest race of the day. I am with Alart even though I know she has had some tough recent racing. Alart has had one run at 1400m for a win and is she is finally back to the trip here. She gets in well with the claim and I am leaning her way at the odds in a race where anything can win. Elle Lou has had two good runs together now for the stable and in a race where there is no speed she can make her own luck by sliding forward. Trois Choix and Wine Tales are the best of the rest.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Elle Lou $3.50-$3 ($200 @ $3.50, $500 @ $3.20, $1,000 @ $3, $700 @ $3 TWICE), Harlem Lady $5.50 unchanged ($1,000 @ $5.50)

R7: RON FINEMORE TRANSPORT HCP (1400m)

Thomas: I’m with another Waller back-up horse here in Metallic Crown. He has had three runs from a spell, is working up to a win and was solid last week when a close fourth to Himalaya Dream. This looks the right race for him. Courtza King had no luck at Newcastle last start when he was posted wide but still ran a close fourth in a good form race. Dubaiinstyle had no luck last start and is a real improver. Grunderzeit doesn’t win often but is never far away.

Dufficy: I was hoping for a wet rack for Dubaiinstyle. He ran an eye-catching race last start where he ran into dead ends everywhere. He has a better draw here and hopefully can race closer. I’m gambling on him to beat Super Tycoon. I thought his effort was great last start where he found the line nicely. He has won twice at 1400m, gets in well with the claim and is a good longshot. Metallic Crown is a good chance but he doesn’t want this surface to dry out too much. Slydini has the blinkers back on and he ran an improved race last start.

R8: WINTER DASH (1200m)

Thomas: Inz’n’Out is a professional placegetter but I believe he gets his chance here. He tried very hard on that extremely heavy track at Rosehill three weeks ago when run down by Marenostro and is coming back to his preferred trip, he races well at Randwick and on soft tracks. He ticks a lot of boxes. Wouldnt It Be Nice ran a blinder in the June Stakes and is a good longshot, Sebring Sun has the talent to blow this field away, Mount Nebo ran well first-up, and I am very wary of the former Hong Kong sprinter Smart Volatility. Good race, Ronnie.

Inz’n’Out gets a chance to shine on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

Dufficy: I’m with the Hong Kong horse Smart Volatility. His two trials for John Sargent have been on rain-affected tracks and he has looked sharp in both, he has lethal fresh form in Hong Kong and has been very competitive at Group 1 level. Inz’n’Out has been placed in all four runs this preparation and the blinkers go on here. He is the only leader so this is a great opportunity for him to break through. Mount Nebo didn’t come up last preparation but he ran a super race first-up and is a good chance here.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Smart Volatility $8-$7 ($450 @ $8)

R9: DE BORTOLI WINES HANDICAP (1000m)

Thomas: I found this a tough race but I do like Hot Hit. He resumed with a good third to the smart All Summer Long at Scone then beat all but Elemenohpee at Canterbury. Elemenohpee franked the form winning well in strong grade at Rosehill last Saturday. Allez Chival has trialled nicely coming into this race and goes well fresh. Encostanati trialled brilliantly before and after a poor first-up run which was on a very heavy Rosehill track, is worth another chance. If Arise Augustus gets a start I will be including him in multiples as he is such a consistent sprinter.

Dufficy: I am quite keen on Hot Hit. His form reads well through Elemenohpee, he’s third-up here and will get the perfect run off a genuine tempo. Encostanati is the big improver. He pulled up with respiratory distress first-up but has won a trial since and back to 1000m is ideal. The other chances are Orujo and Allez Chival.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Encostanati $12-$10 ($1,000 @ $3.82 place, $1,000 @ $3.58 place, $300 @ $12, $200 @ $10)

EAGLE FARM

SPORTSMAN PREVIEW: EAGLE FARM

R8: TATT’S TIARA (1400m)

Thomas: Azkadellia is the best horse in the race and at weight-for-age she looks to have this race at her mercy but I can’t back her at $2.30 off a career-worst run in the Stradbroke Handicap. Cradle Me is in rock solid form at the moment and will go close, Danish Twist just keeps winning and Artistry is over the odds.

Dufficy: Azkadellia was in the wrong part of the track in the Stradbroke but, let’s face it, she was still disappointing. But I always say you have to forgive a good mare one bad run and she doesn’t put in too many bad ones. Her form is impeccable against her own sex and the weight-for-age conditions suit her. I have to tip her but I can’t back her, either. If I was having a bet it would be Artistry. She is a good, tough mare set for this race. Danish Twist and Cradle Me are both racing in great form.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Azkadellia $2.60-$2.30-$2.35 ($500 @ $2.60, $750 @ $2.30, $500 @ $2.30)

Azkadellia is favourite for the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara on Saturday. Picture: Annette Dew

DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

BEST BETS

Race 4, No. 5: ZATOPAZ

Race 9, No. 7: HOT HIT

BEST VALUE

Race 5, No. 4: BERRY DELICIOUS