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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s race-by-race tips, analysis for all 10 races at Randwick on Saturday

Ray Thomas and Dufficy analyse the 10-race Randwick meeting on Saturday, with Duff predicting a royal victory that punters can be Rapt with.

Ray Thomas
9 min read
December 20, 2024 - 1:13PM
Punters Hold All Tickets – Final Episode of 2024

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy analyse the 10-race Royal Randwick meeting on Saturday.

Duff is keen to load up on Gilded Water, the horse owned by King Charles III that made such a big impression on his Australian debut at Kembla Grange last month.

He’s also keen to step into a Dynamic Syndications-owned horse early in the day.

Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.
Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.

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DUFF’S TIPS

BEST BET
Race 6 No.3 GILDED WATER

NEXT BEST
Race 3 No.3 RAPT

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R1: Shinzo At Coolmore Plate (1000m)

Ron Dufficy: There looks to be four good chances to the eye. QUIETLY ARROGANT (8) has only had one trial, moving nicely and hitting the line well behind PALLATON (7). QUIETLY ARROGANT (8) is from the Snowden stable and he’d have enough improvement off that trial. Godolphin are starting to make their moves with their two-year-olds now and CHERGUI (3) looks to have been nicely prepared winning a trial in Victoria. PALLATON (7) is tuned up with two trials and has to be respected from that nice draw. ALBANY ROAD (1) looks tough and showed nice improvement at that second trial, hitting the line well.

Ray Thomas: I’m going with CHERGUI (3). He’s a half-brother to Group 1 winners Astern and Alizee and looks to have inherited his share of the family’s ability with a stylish barrier trial win at Ballarat earlier this month. CHERGUI (3) has been switched to Sydney but the Godolphin team will have him well educated for his debut. PALLATON (7) and QUIETLY ARROGANT (8) ran one-two in a Kensington trial. PALLATON (7) controlled the race from the front and won stylishly while QUIETLY ARROGANT (8) came from back in the field, burst through the pack and was powerful through the line. DEVIL NIGHT (4) looked a natural winning his Rosehill trial. An intriguing race.

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R2: TAB Highway (1600m)

Dufficy: IN SUMMER (8) will be better for her recent Highway experience. I think back to the drier track should suit and with any luck from that sticky draw, should be in the finish. TEXAS FIREBALL (1) got too far back in Queensland second-up and should eat up the extra distance now and prove hard to hold out. MORITZ GIRL (5) has had no luck from wide draws at her past couple of runs and she’s been kept up to the mark with a recent trial. COELLA (6) is racing well and does no work from that inside draw.

Thomas: IN SUMMER (8), an emerging mare by Arrowfield’s boom stallion The Autumn Sun, won well second-up at Scone in a strong form race then tried hard when second to Sunchyme in a Rosehill Highway. The track deteriorated to a heavy 8 which might have taken the edge off IN SUMMER (8)’s finishing speed last start. She’s suited over the Randwick mile and back onto a good track surface. BUSH TELEGRAPH (3) has got all the favours to win at Narromine and Dubbo but she is racing in great heart and is at generous odds. TEXAS FIREBALL (1) ran on well for second at Ipswich and that form reads well for this race. FIORSUM FRED (4) comes off a good second at the provincials last start and is close to a win.

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R3: Midway Hcp (1600m)

Dufficy: RAPT (3) is a lightly-raced mare who has superior form-lines to this lot. She hits her pet distance third-up and should be hard to beat. CALLISTEMON (13) gives the impression she is looking for the mile and appeals with her light weight while AIX EN PROVENCE (7) and DIRECT FIRE (8) are both go-forward types capable of giving a bit of cheek up front.

Thomas: RAPT (3) won the Grafton Guineas before her spell then did enough first-up when fourth at Eagle Farm to suggest she is in for a good preparation. She has a good second-up record, is unbeaten in two attempts at 1600m, and will be hard to beat. TYMPANIST (2) won easily at Kensington then lined up in the Four Pillars, got well back in a big field and didn’t have much luck in running. He’s drawn wide here but he’s a knockout chance. The in-form OUTCAST GIRL (14) is way over the odds and the consistent DIRECT FIRE (8) will be competitive again.

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R4: Inglis Classic Sale Hcp (1400m)

Dufficy: Tricky race. Chris Waller looks strong here and if I AM FAMOUS (4) stays solid in the market late here, I think she could be the one to beat. Her stablemate LLANDDWYN (2) was in need of the run there first-up and is the biggest improver from the lead-up. CAPTAIN AMELIA (9) has been kept fresh since winning last start and could go on with the job. LULUMON (5) has returned in great order and is not just a wet tracker.

Thomas: TERRESTAR (3) has been racing very well without winning this campaign and deserves a change of luck. She never stops trying in her races, gets back onto a good track here and is value odds. I AM FAMOUS (4) is a half-sister to Everest winner Classique Legend and she came of age during winter with three consecutive wins. She resumes off an unplaced trial where she was obviously bursting to go faster. LULUMON (5) is an underrated mare with a consistent record and she won well on a heavy track at Rosehill last starts. She’s just as effective on top of the ground. INFATUATION (1) has improved at each of her three runs this time in and is ready now.

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R5: Petaluma Hcp (1300m)

Dufficy: Impossible race with plenty of improvers in winning form engaged. I’m leaning to the filly DIDDLE DUMPLING (10) who has trialled well since getting her confidence up at Hawkesbury. GETAFIX (2) might not be wound-up for this but he is off a win and I really liked his recent trial. DAWN SERVICE (1) has the performances on the board. Just not sold in his two lead-up trials. METAPHORICALLY (6) is third-up off a good win and has timing on his side.

Thomas: I’ve gone with the class of DAWN SERVICE (1). He was a stakeswinner at Flemington during spring then was given a break when disappointing at Moonee Valley. DAWN SERVICE (1) isn’t badly in at the weights after the claim, he’s had two trials, makes his own luck racing on pace and is the one to beat. CODETTA (4) is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Riff Rocket and she keeps winning. MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (3) ran well for third to boom sprinter Private Harry and is among the main contenders. INSIDE MAN (5) got the right run but impressed the way he attacked the line to win on debut at Canterbury, beating a subsequent winner.

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R6: Precise Air Hcp (2400m)

Dufficy: It has been a month since GILDED WATER (3) created a good impression at his Australian debut. This is just a lovely next step for him – hard to beat. GOOD BANTER (4) is ready to be tested at 2400m now and looks some threat. BE REAL (5) landed big bets winning last start but may have been flattered by the Heavy track. TASTULA (9) is an improving stayer heading in the right direction.

Thomas: This is a race between two promising stayers, TASTULA (9) and GILDED WATER (3). TASTULA (9) is a giant four-year-old who takes some winding up but at his top he would run through a brick wall. He’s won his maiden at Canterbury and a class 1 at Kembla Grange in successive starts and although this is a big jump in grade, he is going to enjoy getting out to 2400m. GILDED WATER (3), the former English stayer owned by His Majesty King Charles III, was very impressive winning at his Australian debut over 2000m at Kembla Grange. He can only be improved by that run and the extra distance is in his favour. Of the others, form mares CALIFORNIA GRASS (10) and BE REAL (5) are competitive chances.

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R7: Captivant At Kia Ora Hcp (1600m)

Dufficy: HEED THE OMENS (10) presents very fit fourth-up now with blinkers, barrier one, happy to lean his way. FIDDLERS GREEN (6) let me down last start but I have to forgive him on that day being on the Heavy 10 and gets another chance. BRIGHT RED (7) is always around the mark and will have supporters again. O’ZIGGY (9) is a genuine on-pace type who is sure to give a sight.

Thomas: FIDDLERS GREEN (6) was inconvenienced by the very heavy Rosehill track but didn’t shirk his task when fourth at Rosehill last start. Previously, he won by a big margin in very fast time at Hawkesbury first-up and will appreciate the good track surface and extra distance. GENTILESCHI (12) was baulked for a run at a vital stage in the straight and lost momentum in heavy conditions when a luckless fourth at Rosehill. She’s a mare with ability and this is her chance. BRIGHT RED (7) has raced well in both runs this campaign and is ready to win. MISS HADES (8) is genuine but 1600m is as far as she wants.

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R8: James Squire Hcp (1400m)

Dufficy: Tough race. GERIATRIX (4) is having his first run for the Waller stable and is a big yard and market watch. He ran right through the line in a recent trial. I am happy to spec him if he is fancied. SO RISQUE (7) had no luck first-up in Victoria and finds himself in a race with no weight where he can improve sharply in here. UZZIAH (8), back to a drier track, suits. He has good credentials after having excuses last start. PALMETTO (1) could surprise fresh here with a touch of quality on his side.

Thomas: ELETTRICA (10) appeals as a definite lightweight chance. She’s done well in three runs this preparation most notably her Rosehill win before she got left in front and tried hard to make all when fourth in the Canberra Community Chest last start. She drops to just 52kg here and will be in the mix. UZZIAH (8) should be able to control the race from the front here. He is better suited back in this grade and will take running down. ANG POW (9) is improving with racing and PALMETTO (1) is the class horse of the field, he’s sprinted well fresh previously and his recent trials indicate he is primed for his comeback race.

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R9: Toyota Forklifts Hcp (1100m)

Dufficy: I thought OUR KOBISON (1) did more than enough first-up. He maps beautifully from that draw and on a drier track, so I will lean his way. GARZA BLANCA (2) was very good winning second-up in Victoria and has always promised plenty. TIME TO BOOGIE (8) is off a long break. His trials are good. I think the late market tells the tale with him. IN FLIGHT (7) is talented. Just a little query whether she’s better on wet tracks.

Thomas: OUR KOBISON (1) has his share of weight, even after the claim, against a good field but he’s a very talented sprinter and I’m happy to Iean his way. The wet track was against him first-up but his effort to run second was excellent. OUR KOBISON (1) will be fitter and he’s back onto a dry surface where he can showcase his natural brilliance. IOWNA MERC (5) has been disappointing in both runs this campaign but has had genuine excuses. He excels over the Randwick 1100m course, particularly on a dry track. IN FLIGHT (7) did enough first-up in the Starlight Stakes to bring her right into contention for this race. The only negative is all her career wins have been on soft or heavy tracks. TIME TO BOOGIE (8) is a noted first-up specialist and he is trialling well. A very competitive sprint race.

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R10: TAB Handicap (1300m)

Dufficy: ACCREDITED (9) only needs a touch of luck from a sticky draw to prove hard to beat here. He should be unbeaten this preparation. YORKSHIRE (13) is his main danger. He looked very progressive last preparation and there is nothing wrong with his two recent trials. LITTLE BEGINNINGS (8) is better than a heavy track run suggests last time. VALIMI (4) is a French import who should be kept very safe and respected here.

Thomas: ACCREDITED (9) is airborne this campaign. He was a good thing beaten when a close second at Canterbury first-up then absolutely toyed with his rivals to win at the Warwick Farm midweeks by more than three lengths despite being eased down well before the finish. ACCREDITED (9) is very fit and in great form, I’m happy to lean his way. There’s no knock on YORKSHIRE (13), winner of three of his four starts during an outstanding debut race preparation. He’s resuming and if anywhere near right rates as the one to beat. FLYING DESTINY (3) is another very consistent sprinter who ran well when resuming. BOJANGLES (6) hasn’t had much go his way in three runs this campaign and is drawn off the track here but he’s capable of running a competitive race.

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s race-by-race tips, analysis for all 10 races at Randwick on Saturday

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/tips/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-racebyrace-tips-analysis-for-all-10-races-at-randwick-on-saturday/news-story/5a0096a6ba3d02a40aaa61e6106fba53