Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday

Form expert Shayne O’Cass delves into the 10-race card for Royal Randwick on Saturday, providing his race-by-race tips and analysis.

Form expert Shayne O’Cass analyses the 10-race card for Royal Randwick on Saturday, providing his race-by-race tips and analysis.

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RACE 1: MIDWAY (BM72) 1200m

Emmadella, the fourth generation descendant of 1994 Winfield Classic winner Kapchat, is one for one in Midway competition having run past Navy Blood and others in a 1200m Midway at Rosehill which preceded her close-up fourth to Xidaki in the Winx Guineas. That was her last run; liking the trials. Smashing Time has some smashing form. How about fifth of 18 to Broadsiding in the Queensland Sires? Third-up, back to Midway grade from a Brian Crowley. Zoubaby was fantastic in Victoria in those two stakes races.

Bet: Emmadella to win

RACE 2: ORAN PARK HIGHWAY PLATE (C3) 1000m

Destructive Diva’s debut was one of the amazing runs you would see. How she won the Lickety Split the way she did from where she was, was just incredible. She arrives here with a tidy record of 13 starts for three wins and five placings and 1000m on a fast track in a fast race plays to her strengths. Nipotino is another one that will relish a fast run 1000m at Randwick but his form says he prefers the sting out. Caribbean King is the Dunn and Rawiller runner. Say no more.

Bet: Destructive Diva each-way

The Magic Man strikes as Militarize wins the @inglis_sales Sires'!

A Group 1 at Randwick for Joao Moreira as the @cwallerracing colt races away to beat Don Corleone with the filly Pier Pressure in third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/3AGOcZcIfu

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 1, 2023

RACE 3: BOB INGHAM AO (BM78) 1600m

Pier Pressure, the 2023 ATC Sires Produce placegetter, had a reputation as a bit of a non-winner and costly one at that up until recently that is. So much so that the Kris Lees-trained mare is on a hat-trick. Both were easy wins in easier races, yes, but like I mentioned, she did run third to Militarize in a Group 1 here. Speaking of costly non-winners, Chica Mojita is becoming one herself but have a look at the horses that beat her.

Bet: Pier Pressure to win

RACE 4: JACK INGHAM AO (BM78) 1400m

Dream Hour started his career off in Victoria where he was a fringe stakes horse. You could probably say nothing’s changed since Kris Lees took over. The horse was fourth in one Championship heat, fifth in another, and ran ninth of 18 in this year’s Stradbroke beating Semana, Antino. Steparty, Magic Time, Here To Shock, etc. Peaks here. Bunker Hut places more than he wins but he is a very reliable horse just the same. Miss You Ella will probably improve with a run or two but she was Group 3 placed in Florida.

Bet: Dream Hour to win

Dream Hour storms home to win by 3 lengths in the Gateway! @Leesracingpic.twitter.com/mRb0p1nUK0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 9, 2023

RACE 5: INGLIS NURSERY (RL) 1000m

Cantiamo was a $220,000 Inglis Classic Yearling purchase (Kris Lees). The horse is a son of Too Darn Hot (a great young sire) out of Valencay whom Lees trained. Valencay’s dam is Perruzi, an Eight Carat granddaughter. This one has trialled well. Cosmic Eagle, a Deep Field filly from one of the fine Wolf Blass families, has trialled really well and is from a great two-year-old stable. Imaginate has been blessed with winning draw, if good enough. Big trial winner down south.

Bet: Cantiamo to win, quinella 12, 13

RACE 6: COOLMORE SPELLING @ MOUNT WHITE (BM88) 1800m

Cafe Millenium won the Pierro on debut (and how) but hasn’t won in the 22 months and two days since. That’s 15 starts without a win but when you give away such big starts as this hulking son of Not A Single Doubt is prone to doing, you really are reliant on outside factors. At least we’re at Randwick. Tavi Time is an emergency for The Ingham. On trial at 1800m but he is a son of Tarzino of a Johar mare. King Of The Castle has raced at Randwick 10 times for two wins, six placings, and one fourth in the 2023 The Big Dance.

Bet: Cafe Millenium each-way

It's a boil over in the Scone Cup! 💥

Sky Lab sailed down the outside to win the Scone Cup at big odds in a photo finish for @perry_racing1! pic.twitter.com/v29IeA1SiL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2024

RACE 7: MAX BRENNER CHRISTMAS CUP 2400m

Sky Lab has won circa $1.5 million. A six times winner, he has won from 1350m to 2200m. He’s run in a Doncaster, Epsom, ATC Derby, a Gong and a Hunter. James McDonald was on him the day he split Mo’unga and Montefelia in a Rosehill Guineas. Granted, he is hard to catch (Sky Lab, not J-Mac), but he is fit and peaking. Sea King was $14 into $12 in the Melbourne Cup. Makes his Dunn stable debut on Saturday. Respect. Naval College is an Australia Day Cup winner at 2400m.

Bet: Sky Lab each-way

RACE 8: THE INGHAM 1600m

Rustic Steel has won 10 times in 30 starts which, when you look at the races he contests, is an absolutely fantastic strike-rate. The Kris Lees-trained gelding is a Randwick mile winner, courtesy of his honour of being the inaugural Big Dance winner. He needs a well-timed ride but a solidly run 1600m at Randwick is right up his alley. Gringotts has pocketed $2 million at his last two starts and will add another $1.15 million if he wins here. Why can’t he? He carries weight, he is well drawn and tries hard. Not giving up on Tannhauser but getting close.

Bet: Rustic Steel to win, Tannhasuer to place, Daily Double 1st Leg (4), 2nd Leg (16)

The Listed Ladies Day Cup at @hawkesburyrc goes to Rustic Steel for @Leesracing, and it's a winning double to @JoshuaParr8 👏 pic.twitter.com/97EfkdIHBM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 7, 2024

RACE 9: RACING & SPORTS RAZOR SHARP HCP

Hedged was $3.40 into $3 in The Warra at Kembla. He ran a length third but beaten on his merits. This will be the son of Capitalist’s second visit to Randwick; he was of course runner-up to Joliestar in the Arrowfield over this trip back on April 13. Like the draw (unless he gets boxed in). I actually like Contemporary’s draw too. Barrier 10 of 12 means she can go back and have a back to follow in the running line and then power home late. Can saw much the same for Ballroom Bella.

Bet: Hedged to win, exacta 5 to beat 4

RACE 10: SADDLES AT MOUNT WHITE (BM78)

August Bloom was scheduled to resume at Rosehill last Saturday but was scratched after the downgrade. Just for context, I had the Peter Snowden-trained mare as ‘best bet’ on the card last week but not nearly brave enough to declare her in this race. Still think she will win. She’s a stakes mare in waiting. Nathan Doyle is flying and so is his former Godolphin housed galloper Silvanito at the trials. Jewellery was robbed last start.

Bet: August Bloom to win, Silvanito each-way, box trifecta 8, 9, 11, 16

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday