Ray Thomas provides his tips and late mail for metropolitan racing on Saturday

The Daily Telegraph Racing Editor Ray Thomas previews a bumper day of racing this Saturday.

Ray Thomas

5 min read

May 9, 2025 - 9:07PM

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Horse Racing

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Trainer Annabel Archibald is chasing a fifth successive Group 2 $500,000 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) with either Fawkner Park or Bois Dargent at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

She had been training under her maiden name of Neasham the previous four years when her remarkable import Zaaki scored a Hollindale hat-trick (2021-22-23) and then stablemate Numerian won last year.

After recently marrying her training partner, Rob Archibald, the couple have two very good chances in the big race.

Annabel and Rob Archibald are looking to continue their Hollindale Stakes domination with a two-pronged attack on Saturday

Fawkner Park is the highest-rated of the Archibald stable runners in the Hollindale at $8.50 with TAB Fixed Odds while Bois Dargent is at $14.

The Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo is favourite at $3.90 ahead of his stablemate Lindermann at $4.40.

READ: Big bets: One-way traffic in Goodwood

The Archibalds, who broke the 200-win barrier for the season this week, also have big-race chances at the Gosford stand-alone meeting including Depth Of Character ($4.40) for the $500,000 The Coast (1600m).

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GOSFORD

Weather: Mild, mostly sunny day and a forecast top temperature of 22c.

Track: Soft (7)

Rail: True

GOLD COAST

Weather: Mild, partly cloudy with the chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 22c.

Track: Heavy (8)

Rail: True

CAULFIELD

Weather: Cool, mostly sunny day with a forecast top temperature of 20c.

Track: Good (4)

Rail: 4m out

MORPHETTVILLE

Weather: Mild, sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 23c.

Track: Good (4)

Rail: 6m out from 1200m to the winning post, 2m remainder

RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE: GROUP 1 THE GOODWOOD

BE WARY: Gosford’s relatively new racing surface will be tested with the soft 7 track rating for the stand-alone meeting and some showers forecast today. Gold Coast is a heavy 8 but is likely to be upgraded given a favourable weather forecast. Watch for any discernible track bias in early races at both venues. Caulfield is a good 4 with a likelihood the track could get to a good 3 during the afternoon. When Caulfield is very firm it often favours leaders.

GOSFORD

BEST BET: SEQUISTA (r2 no1)

Ran a blinder on debut to finish a close third to top filly Within The Law in the Inglis Nursery back and at her only run since she led for home before finishing fourth to the outstanding Tempted in the Percy Sykes Stakes. Sequista had to do a lot of work first-up and it wasn’t surprising she faded late. Her form does read very well for this race but just needs a touch of luck finding a position from her awkward draw and she will be hard to beat.

THE NEXT BEST: ACCREDITED (r9 no15)

Showed plenty of sprinting potential last summer, winning three races in succession – and should have had four after a luckless first-up run – then was spelled after finishing unplaced in the Southern Cross Stakes. With his natural early speed, Accredited is exciting to watch as he often opens up a margin on his rivals mid-race, getting them off the bit and chasing a long way from home. Accredited is resuming off two good trials, he’s drawn well, has a lightweight and will be hard to run down.

VALUE BET: OAKFIELD BADGER (r1 no2)

Is a very consistent sprinter who ran on well without threatening the impressive Sunrise at Randwick last start. He hasn’t missed a top three placing in four starts this campaign, winning once at Wyong. Oakfield Badger gets out to 1200m here and that should suit. He’s double figure odds and will give his backers a great sight.

THE WHISPER: ENGINE ROOM (r4 no4)

Is lightly-raced but showing plenty of promise. He resumed at Warwick Farm last month and won his maiden with an impressive burst of acceleration. He then went to the Kensington track on Anzac Day and was back in an awkward spot at the rear of the small field but saved ground on the rail then sprinted a brilliant 200m sectional between the 400m to 200m of 11.34s to sprint through and takes the lead. He seized control of the race and was cruising to the line but still ran 11.98s for his final 200m to win easily. Promising horse and can win again.

GOLD COAST

BEST BET: NEED SOME LUCK (r4 no12)

A half-brother to champion sprinter Chautauqua, who is showing he has inherited his share of ability with three successive wins. He went for a break after wins at Warwick Farm and Rosehill back in spring then resumed at Randwick with a tough win over City Of Lights. Need Some Luck was never on the track that day but still found a way to win. The runner-up has since won at Group 3 level to frank the form. Need Some Luck is drawn to get the right run here and he can keep winning.

NEXT BEST: JOHN RAMBO (r2 no8)

Has struck a rich vein of form this campaign. He resumed with a fast-finishing win at Doomben over 1200m then made a mess of his rivals at the same course and distance last start, winning by nearly four lengths. He finds himself in another very winnable race.

VALUE BET: MILITARIZE (r7 no7)

Has three “duck eggs” next his name since resuming after a long spell but his form is better than it reads on paper. All three races have been at Group 1 level and he has shown steady improvement with each run. His last start effort in the Doncaster Mile indicated he was close to top form when he ran 10th but was only a length-and-a-quarter behind the winner Stefi Magnetica. The $15 for Militarize is enticing each way value.

THE WHISPER: EMIRATE (r6 no2)

Is resuming after a long spell, having not raced since his ninth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last spring. He’s been given a couple of very easy barrier trials in recent weeks and comes to the Gold Coast for his comeback run ready to sprint well fresh. The likelihood of a soft track is also in his favour.

TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

GOSFORD

Race 1, Duck Egg Blue $3.60-$3.50, The Great Houdini $8-$5, Trafalgar Square $6-$5

Race 2, Sequista $2.30-$2.15, Hidden Achievement $11-$6.50, Tiberius $11-$8.50, Green Spaces $15-$10

Race 3, Ritzsun $8-$7.50

Race 4, Engine Room $3.60-$3.30, Pure Alpha $26-$8

Race 5, Cormac T $6-$5, Sun God $8-$7.50, All Hunky Dory $15-$8, Junebug $26-$10

Race 6, Rantan $6-$5, Winning Proposal $6-$5.50

Race 7, Les Vampires $4.60-$4.20, Hezashocka $4.60-$4.40

Race 8, Know Thyself $4.60-$3.50, Depth Of Character $4.60-$4.40, Mare Of Mt Buller $11-$7

Race 9, Pereille $8-$7, Warnie $8-$7, Xidaki $11-$8.50, Shezanalister $11-$8.50, Barber $26-$12

Race 10, Raikkonen $2.80-$2.70, King Of Roseau $6-$4.80, Acappella Sun $15-$8