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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis for Randwick

Racing editor Ray Thomas and form expert Ron Dufficy discuss the top chances at Randwick to help you find a winner.

Kanazawa looks ready to win third-up at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images
Kanazawa looks ready to win third-up at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy debate the chances at Royal Randwick’s Christmas Eve meeting on Saturday.

Suggested Bets

DUFF’S BEST

R6 No.1: KING OF CLUBS

R8 No.14: SUNSHINE IN PARIS

R1: Drinkwise Plate (1100m)

Ron Dufficy: I don’t think there is much between the Breeders Plate and the Gimcrack Stakes winner here but I have a slight leaning to Empire Of Japan over Platinum Jubilee. This will be a very interesting race. Fire Lane maps well on speed and Godfather has upside as well.

Ray Thomas: This is probably the best two-year-old race of the season so far. The booms on Empire Of Japan and Platinum Jubilee are justified but I’m leaning to Godfather to cause an upset. Godfather has race fitness on his side, winning impressively on debut at Doomben, he will either lead or settle in a controlling position, and he might take catching. In saying that, Empire Of Japan (Breeders Plate) and Platinum Jubilee (Gimcrack Stakes) were outstanding in their fast-finishing debut wins. Fire Lane has shown enough in both starts to indicate she will be competitive again.

Empire Of Japan comes up against a good field in the two-year-old race. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images
Empire Of Japan comes up against a good field in the two-year-old race. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images

R2: Bisley Workwear Handicap (1800m)

Dufficy: Even race. The import Touristic did enough in a race that wasn’t run to suit at his Australian debut and he appears to have more improvement up his sleeve than most of these. Deficit was OK last week and backing up over this trip may suit. Irish Legend drops in grade with the claim and is fitter. Logan Street Lion is racing consistently interstate and he maps well.

Thomas: I don’t think Deficit got a lot of galloping room when he was starting to work into the race and ended up finishing strongly over the 1600m last week. He should appreciate the quick back-up and getting out to 1800m. Tympanist is an underrated gelding who comes off a strong win over a subsequent winner on the Kensington track. Logan Street Lion has been improved by recent racing and has a lot in his favour. I understand where you are coming from with Touristic, Ronnie, he was good last start and can only improve.

R3: The Agency Real Estate Hcp (1600m)

Dufficy: Ausbred Flirt is up in class but she has looked the part winning her last two by big margins since she has stepped up in distance. I’m happy to be with her. Excelladus never really got balanced last start and gets another chance. Estadio Mestalla is better than what we saw last start and more speed up front suits. Tenderize is honest and will give a good sight up front with a lightweight.

Thomas: Ausbred Flirt has monstered her rivals in successive wins at Kembla Grange, scoring by big margins and running fast closing sectionals. She’s a promising mare and ready for the step up to Sydney Saturday grade. Estadio Mestalla wasn’t suited by the tempo last start and I also expect him to bounce back here. Excelladus is racing well and Tenderize is a definite lightweight chance.

R4: TAB Highway (1100m)

Dufficy: This is a good Highway, Ray. Salire’s main issue is getting back in the field when there is a 9m rail. But there is no denying his form and the 1100m will suit him better. Penthouse looks a nice filly who will be hard to run down if she gets across. Proverbial positions better from the inside draw and represents value. Iconic Dame has trialled well and has plenty of talent.

Thomas: I’m also with Salire. His Highway win on Cup Day was quite something and he backed that with another powerful finishing effort for third to Penthouse over the 1000m here. The extra 100m is in his favour and he will be hard to hold out. Penthouse was very good last start but is drawn wide and will need to do a bit of work early that might leave her vulnerable late. Unbeaten Supido Beauty is a chance if she gets a start and Just In Reach has drawn wide but is in top form.

R5: Midway Hcp (2000m)

Dufficy: A tough race with lots of chances. I think Loving Cilla has her hoof on the till and should be charging home off a good speed with no weight. Media Starguest is short enough but finds another suitable race. Made By Khan probably would have been top pick if he drew a barrier but if he gets any luck in running he will be right in the finish. The Guru likes the track and distance and is not hopeless at odds.

Thomas: Made By Khan raced forward off a brutal speed in the Zoumon race at Rosehill before finishing a close fourth. He was only second-up from a spell and his effort in a strong race was really god last start. If he can repeat that, he’s the one to beat here. Media Starguest was a Canterbury winner two starts back, had excuses last start and is in the mix again. Prince Aurelius led until the final few bounds last start and is bursting to win a race. Loving Cilla will be running on strongly.

R6: Precise Air Hcp (2400m)

Dufficy: I like King Of Clubs. He did more than enough in better company first-up and should be more than ready here with a tick-over trial since that run. McGeehan drops back in grade and stays well. Whanga Wonder is going nicely and ready to step up in right distance now. Just A Jedi is well weighted with the claim.

Thomas: King Of Clubs is getting to 2400m quickly but his closing effort to run second behind Zoumon over 2000m when resuming was very good. He’s a natural stayer and will enjoy getting out tin trip. Whanga Wonder won well at Rosehill the just missed running down Media Starguest at Canterbury. Her form reads well for this race. Just A Jedi scored a tough 2400m win at Warwick Farm with Awesome John third and both horses should be considered here.

R7: Schweppes Hcp (1600m)

Dufficy: Super Strike seems ready third-up here. He did win a Group 3 in New Zealand at his only run at a mile and that is a positive. Jojo Was A Man did work in the run and was OK last start. Given a softer run here he should be right in the mix. Democracy Manifest is up in class but going well. Mahagoni gets in light but will be hard to hold out.

Thomas: Democracy Manifest gets back in his races and will need luck getting out into the open but if he finds clear galloping room then watch out. He’s got a powerful finishing burst and should enjoy the Randwick mile. Jojo Was A Man is working his way back into form and will give Democracy Manifest something to chase. Ma And Pa looks to be back to something like his best form and Super Strike rates highly on his last start effort.

Democracy Manifest is going for back-to-back wins. PICTURE: Jason McCawley-Getty Images
Democracy Manifest is going for back-to-back wins. PICTURE: Jason McCawley-Getty Images

R8: Grainshaker Australian Vodka Hcp (1200m)

Dufficy: The early odds are gone with Sunshine In Paris but understandably so as she looks a filly with considerable talent. She jumped from a maiden win on debut to a stakes placing last start and will be hard to beat here. Kir Royale strips fitter, is two for two second-up from a spell. Billiondollarbaby returned well off a spell with improvement to come. Pretty Wild has had five weeks off since catching the eye at Kembla Grange but has to overcome the wide draw.

Thomas: Kir Royale tried hard but couldn’t quite reel in Barossa Rosa when resuming at Randwick two weeks ago. She will be fitter and although rising steeply in weight, this is an easier race. I concede Sunshine In Paris is a promising filly and gets in with a very light weight after the claim. Pretty Wild is a handy type but she has to contend with a wide draw. Kahawaty is up in grade but is racing very well and is an each way chance.

R9: TAB Handicap (1400m)

Dufficy: Kanazawa is pretty genuine and did win third-up over this track and distance last preparation. Green Shadows has been freshened since he last raced, he’s had a trial and gets blinkers here. Robusto had excuses last start and gets another chance. Cristal Breeze is another well weighted on his best form and he has needed recent racing.

Thomas: Kanazawa showed last start he is ready to win and this race sets up well for him. With even luck in running, he should go close. Robusto had no luck at Randwick last start and is definitely worth another chance. Green Shadows has had a month between runs and is probably better suited back at 1400m. Saint Of Katowice won well at Sandown first-up and stays under notice.

R10: Furphy Hcp (1200m)

Dufficy: Another tough race but I think the Victorian raider, Show Some Decorum is very good fresh and is six week since winning impressively first-up. He has some nice looking formlines around him as well. Iowna Merc just has to take it to 1200m now but is hard to know. Ringmaster and Kalino are both very capable of sprinting well fresh.

Thomas: This is a tough way to finish the day. In a race with plenty of chances, I like Iowna Merc. He’s in his first preparation but is a young sprinter of some promise and was very game warding off Sacrimony’s challenge at Randwick two weeks ago. He will go close again. Kalino is resuming but he has won first-up previously and his recent trial win was impressive. Destination brings strong formlines to Saturday grade and Devil’s Throat can improve.

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis for Randwick

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-best-bets-and-analysis-for-randwick/news-story/874321f0e48f82c963338c8646e5bd00