Race watch: Ray Thomas’s extended preview and tips for Royal Randwick

Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas runs the rule over every race, with suggested bets for the Royal Randwick meeting.

Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas runs the rule over every race, with suggested bets at Royal Randwick.

THE EARLY OIL: MOONEE VALLEY

TOP PICKS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

RAY’S BEST FOR THE CARD

BEST BET: DEPRIVE (Race 8)

Deprive unleashed an impressive burst of acceleration to weave through the field and power past his rivals to win over 1100m at Randwick on a soft track two weeks ago. He is even better on top of the ground and 1200m suits. Drawn well and should be able to settle closer to the leaders. Promising sprinter who can win again.

VALUE BET: FUCHU (Race 4)

RACE 1

Overview: The first starters Yitai Synergy and Iconic Star looked very impressive winning their recent barrier trials. I have a slight leaning to Yitai Synergy, primarily because of the barrier. She has drawn gate two and has the early speed to take full advantage of that starting position. She will either hold the rail and lead or perhaps let Iconic Star cross her and take up the immediate trailing position. Either way, Yitai Synergy’s rider, Corey Brown, will be able to control the race and the filly has been strong through the line in both her trials wins. Iconic Star has only had the one trial but she showed blinding speed early and won her Gosford heat easily. After the claim, she does get a 3kg weight pull over Yitai Synergy. Exceed The Stars has ability and the drying track suits, Giselle Anne was ridden out to win her Hawkesbury heat but she looks a smart filly, and Hightail did a good job to score on debut.

BETTING STRATEGY: YITAI SYNERGY TO WIN

RACE 2

Overview: Risk And Reward was in the market when resuming but got trapped three-wide in a speed battle for the lead before tiring to run sixth behind Sei Stella at Randwick when resuming. He is fitter now and has drawn ideally in barrier two. Invincible Tammy ran on well to finish third in the Sei Stella race last start and she is a value runner here. Manzana finished behind Invincible Tammy and in front of Risk And Reward two weeks ago and he will be improved after two runs from a spell. Equal Balance is the best horse in the race but has an awkward draw and wide barrier to overcome.

BETTING STRATEGY: RISK AND REWARDS EACH WAY

RACE 3

Overview: Bondi was Group 1 placed as a juvenile but his spring campaign was limited to just one run. He resumed at Wyong in the Magic Millions race and worked to the line nicely when second to the handy Problem Solver with Invincible Star third. Bondi is taking on older horses here but does get some weight relief and his comeback indicates he is in for a good campaign. Sweet Deal is in the Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford on Friday where she will be very hard to beat if that is the race they decide to aim for. But if they save her for Randwick tomorrow, she also looks well placed after her strong wins at Rosehill over 1300m and 1400m. Redouble hit the line well when third to Easy Eddie at Warwick Farm and he is on the quick back-up on Saturday. He has won on a seven-day turnaround and he is looking for 1400m now. Drachenfels always seems to strike back luck but he gets in with a lightweight on Saturday.

BETTING STRATEGY: BONDI TO WIN BUT $3 IS ROCK BOTTOM ODDS.

RACE 4

Overview: Fuchu has commanded his chance in Sydney Saturday class after two very impressive wins at the provincials. His effort to score at Wyong last start was particularly good as he got back into an awkward position in a slowly run race, then was forced to make a long, wide run, then was shouldered even deeper on the turn but recovered and finished fast to beat Cuba. This is a step up in grade but he does look promising and is the value runner. Mister Songman has run minor placings at Rosehill and Randwick and is ready to win. He looks likely to get an uncontested lead and if that happens he will be very hard to run down. Good Weather and Generalissimo will be competitive.

BETTING STRATEGY: FUCHU EACH WAY, QUINELLA 3,9

Asterius salutes at Rosehill in June. Picture: AAP

RACE 5

Overview: Asterius was an on-track drifter second-up when he closed late for third to Reflectivity and Turnberry over 1500m at Rosehill last start. This looks Asterius race as he has been improved by recent racing and is up to a suitable 1800m trip. He has drawn the outside barrier but the grey tends to get back in his races anyway. Ready to win. Live And Free ran a good race at Flemington over the Cup Carnival but he couldn’t get into the race when eighth to Sky Boy and Fierce Impact at Rosehill. The winner and runner-up have since won the Villiers Stakes and Summer Cup respectively to frank the form so I’m prepared to give Live And Free another chance. Turnberry will put himself on speed and prove very hard to beat. So You Win has been improved by recent racing.

BETTING STRATEGY: ASTERIUS TO WIN, SAVER ON LIVE AND FREE EACH WAY

Alizee wins the Coolmore Legacy Stakes during The Championships.

RACE 6

Overview: Glamour mare Alizee resumes here, she has 60.5kg and is on the comeback trail after a bleeding attack. However, she has looked outstanding in her two barrier trials in recent weeks and she does sprint well fresh. Remember back in the autumn when she was devastating winning the Light Fingers Stakes first-up? I’m prepared to go with her class and sheer ability to beat Fell Swoop, the veteran sprinter who finally returned to the winner’s list in the Razor Sharp Stakes last start. Problem Solver was dominant in the Magic Millions race at Wyong, putting classy mare Invincible Star to the sword. She is very fit and in a rich vein of form. Husson Eagle ran a blinder first-up at Flemington and he is capable the Sydney way of going.

BETTING STRATEGY: ALIZEE TO WIN

Brock Ryan on Reflectivity rounds the home turn on his way to victory at Rosehill Gardens this month.

RACE 7

Overview: Reflectivity and Gresham look a standout quinella. Reflectivity takes winning form to Randwick, producing a tough effort to edge out Turnberry and Asterius over the Rosehill 1500m course. He does get into this race with only 50.5kg after Brock Ryan’s 3kg claim and that should prove decisive. Reflectivity is very fit, racing in good for and can win again. Gresham is a big danger. He hasn’t been beaten far in two Rosehill runs since resuming and is stepping out to a distance where he usually excels. Tip Top won impressively over the Randwick 1600m course and usually holds his form. Berdibek is at big odds but his first-up run was very encouraging. He might be looking for even further now but is worth throwing into trifectas and other exotics.

BETTING STRATEGY: QUINELLA 7,8

RACE 8

Overview: Deprive looked to be trouble when he was back and inside horses at the top of the straight but Hugh Bowman produced a magical ride to drive the sprinter between runners before emerging from the pack to run down Miss Toorak Flyer and Mister Songman last start. Deprive will appreciate getting out to 1200m and from his inside barrier, should be able to settle within striking distance of the leaders. Kapajack was trapped off the track at Warwick Farm last week and wasn’t suited by the heavy conditions but wasn’t beaten far into fifth placing behind Gongs. He has drawn inside Deprive tomorrow and with his lightweight, he will be very competitive. Junglized won’t need to improve much off his first-up run and Poetic Charmer has learned how to win now.

BETTING STRATEGY: DEPRIVE TO WIN

RACE 9

Overview: Zonk hasn’t raced since her Canterbury win back in August but trainer Les Bridge has given the mare two solid barrier trials ahead of her comeback race. She has a very good first-up record and is well placed after the claim. Savvan ran on very strongly late when third to Star Reflections and Seasons over 1200m here two weeks ago and she has never missed a place at her second run back from a spell. Zizzis is a speedy mare, drawn to advantage and well placed at the weights. Clipper, who is in foal to Astern, won well at Scone first-up and in fast time.

BETTING STRATEGY: ZONK EACH WAY, SAVER ON ZIZZIS AT BIG ODDS