Randwick tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis for Apollo Stakes day
Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy discuss the top chances in every race for the Apollo Stakes meeting at Randwick on Saturday.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy discuss all the chances at the feature 10-race Apollo Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
SUGGESTED BETS
DUFF’S BEST
R4 No.8: Whinchat
VALUE BET
R9 No.13: Claim The Crown
R1: COOLMORE PIERRO PLATE (1100m)
Ron Dufficy: I like Switzerland here. He looked a real natural doing everything right at his debut. The runner-up that day Castanya won last week to frank the form. Switzerland is the one to beat although Shangri La Express put the writing on the wall with two big wins last preparation. His trials have been OK but I am leaning to Switzerland. Fly Fly really impressed the way she savaged the line winning that latest trial so she is a yard and market watch. Extreme Diva did enough in a very fast race at her debut. She is only small but she will take good benefit from that run.
Ray Thomas: Switzerland was very impressive on debut, showing impressive acceleration to burst between runners and win convincingly. He’s drawn to get the room he needs and is the one to beat. Shangri La Express showed his talent last spring to win both starts including the Golden Gift. He’s the likely leader and will take running down. I’ve also got Fly Fly in my numbers. Her trials have been very good and she will be finishing fast. Same top four with Extreme Diva in the mix but watch also for Enriched matched motors with Shangri La Express in a recent trial and should race well on debut.
Dufficy: Leaning to Rebel Dean here. He rarely runs a bad race and back to 1000m, inside draw, appeals at this level. Cecil Street Lad was pretty sharp winning a recent trial. He is a city winner first-up last preparation, he just needs luck from the draw. I like Delexo with a month freshen and back in distance here and Nash Rawiller takes over which is a positive sign. Mad Darcey looked a different horse, charging over the top of them winning first-up and he is a chance if he reproduces that effort.
Thomas: Rebel Dean has drawn the rails, should get the run of the race and is the one to beat. Consistent sprinter well placed here. Mad Darcey won well first-up and is suited on the bigger Randwick track. Delexo is a 1000m specialist and a refreshed Martial Music is coming off an easy trial win and will appreciate the soft track.
Dufficy: This is a nice race for Fay’s Angel. She is better suited with a run under her belt at 1800m here and is a big improver. She had a really nice track and distance run here at the end of her last preparation. Magic Pharaoh was unwanted in the market when a month between runs last time. She looks much more fancied here so I am expecting a big lift from her. Lensman got all favours but there was no fluke in his Highway win last start and he goes in again. If Reet Petite happens to sneak into the field, she does look to have more upside than most and is worth a second look.
Thomas:Reet Petite is the sixth emergency and still needs another four scratchings but if she flukes a start, I’m keen on her chances. She ran a blinder to just miss first-up and getting out to 1800m is ideal. The consistent Leica Storm will be tested by 1800m and the wide draw but comes off a typically game effort to win over the Dubbo 1600m last start. Last start Highway winner Lensman is racing in good form.
R4: KIA ORA STUD HANDICAP (1300m)
Dufficy: I am pretty keen on Whinchat here. I know he is only out of a midweek race but he ran very fast time, controlling the race, so he’ll be hard to catch although there is a touch more competition here. Tashi did win a Saturday race there first-up with only one trial under her belt so I expect she can improve off that run and run boldly again. Meritable was terrific when resuming then it was a mystery second-up but was much better last time so if he brings his best form, he is right there. Cuban Royale is a tough old horse, very well graded with the claim here and loves the track and distance.
Thomas: Whinchat was so impressive when resuming, running his rivals ragged to win by nearly five lengths on the Kensington and recording a swift closing 600m sectional. I’ve got Whincat on top from Tashi who also won nicely when resuming. Meritable gets his chance here and watch for Ruby Flyer to sprint well fresh after a career-best preparation when last in work.
Dufficy: I can’t go past Buenos Noches. His two trials should have him ready for a good return and he is right up there with our best sprinters. Hard to hold out late with that good fresh record. King Of Sparta doesn’t want any rain but he’s had a tick-over trial since winning again at the Gold Coast. He is probably on target to peak up again for The Quokka which is his main aim. Golden Mile is a lovely big strong horse only off one soft trial but he is a good winning chance if he gets the tick off in the yard and the market late. Strait Acer came a long way in a short time last preparation jumping every bar so he is a big query here.
Thomas: Buenos Noches showed last spring that he is up with the best sprinters in the nation, running Imperatriz to a half-length at Group 1 level after getting into The Everest. Buenos Noches did win the Show County Quality over this course and distance on a Soft 7 track when resuming last preparation so this race sets up well for him. King Of Sparta is in top form and has race fitness on his side but needs a firm track. Strait Acer went from restricted class to a Group 1 performer back in spring and he can sprint well fresh. Golden Mile might find the 1200m a touch short but will be charging home.
R6: ROBRICK LODGE TRISCAY STAKES (1200m)
Dufficy: I like the Victorian C’est Magique. I know she has only had one win at her first start but she’s competed at the top level all the way through and finds a lovely race to resume. Olentia hasn’t been extended in her two trials. She is a talented mare who has been untouchable first-up in the past. Semana has had a five week freshen since the Gold Coast where she toyed with her rivals. She is an adaptable type with a good looking record. Penthouse went to Group 3 level and was just nabbed late last time and she will give a really good sight up front again.
Thomas: As you pointed out, Ronnie, Olentia is lethal fresh with three wins from as many attempts when starting a race campaign. She hasn’t been let go in two recent trials so is nice and fresh for her return. Olentia has the capacity to reel off fast closing sectionals. Semana has a race fitness edge and was very good on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast last start. Penthouse won easily first-up then led for a long way but was run down by a smart type in Vagrant at Group 3 level. She’s flying and takes catching. Miss Faberge has won at Randwick and Kensington in recent weeks and although this is a huge jump in grade, she’s an emerging mare with a lightweight hope.
Dufficy: I can’t get away from Fangirl’s quality here. There is not a lot of speed here which James McDonald will have to be aware of that and obviously the only worry would be if we get a little more than rain. Buckaroo is a horse that really interests me. His two trials have been great under a hold so I am very wary of him here. Similar with the other stablemate, Lindermann, who has been gelded. He didn’t come up last preparation and gets an economical run on speed here and he is a definite winning chance. Militarize is a good colt. He was brutal winning the Golden Rose last spring. He just might need a run to sharpen him up but he is too good to dismiss.
Thomas: Fangirl did run second to champion Anamoe in the Apollo Stakes last year then the mare won the Winx Stakes first-up over this course and distance in spring. She handles soft tracks but doesn’t want a heavy surface for her return. I thought Lindermann looked terrific in his recent trial win. He’s always had the ability but now he’s been gelded, he could be set to realise his potential. Militarize is an outstanding colt and if this race works out for him, he will be hitting the line as strongly as anything in the race. Think It Over won this race two years ago, he’s a big-race performer and will appreciate the soft track conditions.
R8: LIGHT FINGERS STAKES (1200m)
Dufficy: Some beautiful fillies here, Ray. I know she has got a wide draw and is a long time off the scene but Learning To Fly has had a lovely grounding and looked a star as a two-year-old. She appears to be in great shape and I think she is capable of doing a bit of work and making a statement. Arctic Glamour is the other one. I loved her recent trial showing a touch of brilliance. Don’t sell her short, she was always going to be better this preparation. Tiz Invincible has won her two trials looking as sharp as ever. She is another one drawn wide, that’s her main hurdle here. Kimochi is “Miss Consistency”. She has been amazing at the top level, never missing a place throughout her career, and is too good to leave out.
Thomas: I don’t think there is anything between Tiz Invincible and Learning To Fly. They are drawn together on the outside of the field and both jockeys will be watching their main rival closely. Slight leaning to Tiz Invincible because she is proven first-up and raced so well during spring. Learning To Fly hasn’t raced since the Golden Slipper last year but she has had three recent barrier trials and an exhibition gallop to prepare for her return. Kimochi is always thereabouts and Mumbai Muse struck top form late in the spring which sets her up nicely for her return to racing.
Dufficy: I’m having a throw at the stumps here with a horse called Claim The Crown. I thought he looked a little pretty there first-up with plenty of improvement to come. He should come on with that run, he has got good second-up statistics and is big odds so in a race that looks a bit messy. If you can forget Miracle Spin’s last run, he would be right in a race like this and he is over the odds as well. He has had five weeks and a trial since going to Flemington. Logan Street Lion loomed up but knocked up first-up. He will benefit from that run. Redstone Well looks an improving import. It is just a matter of whether he wants a touch further now.
Thomas: I take your point about former Irish galloper Redstone Well but I liked the way he closed off his race behind Glory Daze last start. Redstone Well should be further improved and the soft track is in his favour. Louisville is consistent and enjoys the cut in the ground. Logan Street Lion will be fitter and hard to knock Estadio Mestalla after his tough last start win.
R10: CHANDON GARDEN SPRITZ HANDICAP (1400m)
Dufficy: He hasn’t won in a long, long time but I think Starman is going really well. There is nothing wrong with any of his runs this preparation and I think if things fall into place, he’s got a winning chance. Thunderlips showed big improvement back to midweek grade last time, winning well, and will have plenty of support for “last race Bjorn”. Time Quest adds interest. This is the second Australian preparation for him and he attracted support when markets went up early in the week which is significant. Gracilistyla is struggling to win another but is always running on into a place.
Thomas: This is Gracilistyla’s chance. His two career wins have been on rain-affected tracks, he’s very fit, gets James McDonald, drawn to get the right run and suited over the Randwick 1400m. If Gracilistyla is ever going to win another race, this could be the day. The consistent Starman does looks the main danger. Thunderlips was impressive last start, appreciating an aggressive ride and he will be in this race for a long way. Byron is a lightweight chances at odds.
Originally published as Randwick tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis for Apollo Stakes day
Walsh wants to unleash Hell on raiders in The Archer
The locals won The Archer last year and trainer Nick Walsh is determined to keep the trophy in Rockhampton again with his sprinter Hell.
Iron horse packs Punch in Hawkesbury Gold Cup
It was a case of “rinse and repeat” for Punch Lane, who scored another frontrunning win in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup to qualify for The Big Dance.