Randwick Turf Talk: ‘The Everest slot holders already on the blower’

Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Shayne O'Cass and Mitch Cohen are torn between Joliestar (left) and Briasa in Saturday's TJ Smith Stakes.

Mitch Cohen and Shayne O’Cass debate all the key chances on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Mitch Cohen (left) and Shayne O'Cass.

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Shayno: Hello Mitchy. My two favourite words in racing are Derby Day. Sunny, fair track, big fields, great fields in fact.

Mitch: Shayno, I thought your two favourite words came when last Saturday was called off. Day. Off.

Shayno: Aeliana is no Research but she is better than Shamrocker IMHO. Whether that is right or wrong, I think she will win the Derby. In fact, I’ll go as far to say as she is the best bet on the card.

Another thrilling edition of the @SkyRacingAU Rosehill Guineas!!!

Broadsiding holds off Aeliana and Swiftfalcon in a tremendous finish 🤯@godolphin nab another Group 1 while @mcacajamez registers a winning treble on @tabcomau Golden Slipper Day 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/aukUAQWoBa

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) March 22, 2025

• 17 experts, 4 Group 1s: Saturday’s feature race tips, betting strategies

Mitch: I am a sucker for the Tulloch Stakes form and for that reason I’ve landed on King Of Thunder. The short back-up works fine for the fillies in the Wakeful to the Oaks in the spring so banking on the quick turnaround turning out fine here. He’s a great each-way play but maybe I’m just better I didn’t take the $11 about Aeliana a fortnight ago.

Shayno: The Doncaster is a good one, not a great one but a good one. I mean we have a 56.5kg topweight, where are the modern day Super Imposes and 58-60kg topweights? Anyway, I am still going to have a bet, I like Port Lockroy, he’s a tad underrated.

• Doncaster Mile tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

Mitch: You’ve just blown my mind. I was with Port Lockroy when he won in Perth but cannot find him here. Happy to be proven wrong. I am with Gringotts. He’s a horse on a continuous upward spiral and tipping we see the best of him on Saturday. Petrified of Moira though!

Shayno: Everyone was saying how unlucky Wodeton was in the Slipper. Really? Did they not see Rivellino? He should have won or at very least was the run of the race. If Wodeton wants 1400m, Rivellino wants it just as much.

What a win by Marhoona in the G1 TAB Golden Slipper, proving dreams can come true!

She wins for @MFreedmanRacing and @LaneDamian! 👏@EmiratesPark | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/EAq92UCjBf

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025

• Shayne O’Cass’s Randwick Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis

Mitch: Finally we agree on something. Don’t get me wrong, I like Wodeton but Rivellino was excellent in that Slipper and can settle much closer here. Hugh Bowman back to get him his Group 1 is a big tick.

Shayno: Joliestar was always going to be the one beat in the TJ Smith but she drew barrier 4 and got Damien Lane to ride her, it just sealed the deal for me. You?

JOLIESTAR wins the @YulongInvest Newmarket Handicap for @cwallerracing and @LaneDamian 🙌

🎥 @Racing#RacingSpectacular#SuperSaturday#AllStarMilepic.twitter.com/GjktkpX7PS

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 8, 2025

• TJ Smith Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

Mitch: I reckon the Hawkes boys have already had a few Everest slot holders on the blower and the phone will be running hot when Briasa wins the TJ. He’s an exciting prospect. Looks a great day on the punt!

Originally published as Randwick Turf Talk: ‘The Everest slot holders already on the blower’