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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s tips, analysis for all 10 races on 2024 Coolmore Classic Day at Rosehill Gardens

Ron Dufficy and Ray Thomas both agree that punters will be flying with their best bet on Coolmore Classic Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
10 min read
March 15, 2024 - 12:00PM
Punters Hold All Tickets 2024 (Episode 27) 16-03-24

Racenet’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy debate all the big-race chances for the Coolmore Classic Ladies Day meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

DUFF’S BEST BET

Race 6 No.1 AIRMAN

DUFF’S BEST VALUE

Race 7 No.11 ZARDOZI

R1: Midway Hcp (1100m)

Ron Dufficy: It is a wide Midway but I was quite taken with the recent trial win of MAYROSE (10). She looked very sharp and ready to sprint well over 1200m first-up. She is drawn nicely, gets the 3kg claim and she represents really good value at $13. FIELD WIRI (16) is going well without having a lot of luck and I think she fits right into this race at good odds as well. No knock at all on MAD DARCEY (13), she is absolutely flying at the moment. Obviously a touch more weight and up to 1200m now but she is well-placed again and hard to beat. FLYING SULTAN (5) was very good winning at Kembla last start, putting a margin on them, and does have gate speed to clear that wide draw.

Ray Thomas: HUON (6) finds it hard to win but he gets his chance here at double figure odds. He tried hard at Canterbury last start when second in a benchmark 72 and finds himself in a similar race from a good draw. MAD DARCEY (13) is in career-best form and was strong late over 1100m at Randwick. Deserved favourite and the one to beat. I’ve also got FIELD WIRI (16) in my numbers. She’s a genuine mare who will be competitive again. BLACK DUKE (1) has won well at Wyong and Rosehill, and despite creeping up in the weights he will get the run of the race from his inside draw.

R2: Quayclean Hcp (1900m)

Dufficy: I’m leaning to WYMARK (8) here, he looks very promising. He just continues to improve. He is a three-year-old that won by a big space last time and could well end up in these three-year-old staying classics. I am very wary of the Ciaron Maher-trained CIRCLE OF FIRE (1). He is an import who was slow out and hit the line okay at his Aussie debut and 1900m should suit. SUNLORD (12) did beat Wymark two starts back and the Canterbury run was solid. Best of the rest is DASHO LENNIE (2) – another Maher stayer. Comes out of a midweek race compared to the stablemate’s Saturday race but looks well fancied with James McDonald on board.

Thomas: WYMARK (8) is a promising staying three-year-old taking on the older horses but he’s created a big impression winning his past two starts, the most recent by nearly 10 lengths in track record time at Newcastle. He could be Derby-bound if he runs up to expectations here. I’m going for a three-year-old trifecta with GLAD YOU THINK SO (7) and SUNLORD (12) both hard to beat. Glad You Think So got well back and into an awkward spot on the rail last start and can improve, particularly how he is getting out in trip. Sunlord looked certain to score at Canterbury only to be collared right on the line. He is lightly raced but showing promise. DASHO LENNIE (2) did well to win at his Australian debut and can only improve.

Promising stayer Wymark romps to victory at Newcastle on March 2. Picture: Bradley Photos
Promising stayer Wymark romps to victory at Newcastle on March 2. Picture: Bradley Photos

R3: Magic Night Stakes (1200m)

Dufficy: FLY FLY (3) is an improving filly. She has been a little bit raw but she is learning all the time and is primed third-up at home. CASTANYA (2) obviously had a little setback after being a scratching a few times but should be back on track and hopefully a touch closer from this draw. CHATEAU MIRAVAL (5) will make her own luck up front and give a good sight. DRIFTING (4) won a solid race at Hawkesbury and backed it up with a close up second behind a sharp type at Flemington.

Thomas: CASTANYA (2) has been troubled by a foot abscess since her barnstorming win in the Lonhro Plate. Talented filly with a powerful finish and despite her recent issues, she will be hard to beat. I agree that FLY FLY (3) is the big improver. She hasn’t had much go in her favour at both her starts but her determined closing effort for second to Manaal in the Sweet Embrace Stakes was hard to miss. She just might have a race fitness edge over Castanya. CHATEAU MIRAVAL (5) gets control up front and will take catching. CANARA (9) showed promise earlier in the season running third to Storm Boy and Traffic Warden. She’s resuming off a soft trial but is one to watch.

R4: Pago Pago Stakes (1200m)

Dufficy: GATSBY’S (7) was terrific winning at the midweeks at his debut. The form, we all know, has looked very strong since and some are saying he is Golden Slipper class – well, we will find out today. I think a terrific long shot at any old price here is AGENDA SETTER (10). He has won two trials leading into this in nice style. He is a better horse than what we saw when he had a slow recovery last preparation. I am wary of him at massive odds. COLEMAN (1) is another one much better than he showed in the Blue Diamond, he must have done well to bring him here and continue with his prep so I am showing him plenty of respect here as well. DUVANA (6) is a lovely colt on the up and has been very good at his past two starts. He just might want that touch further but don’t doubt his talents.

Thomas: GATSBY’S (7) showed determination and class to run down the speedy Roselyn’s Star on debut at Canterbury. The runner-up has since romped home at Kensington in fast time and the minor placegetter, Silmarillion, was just beaten in the Reisling Stakes last week. The form and hype around Gatsby’s is impossible to ignore. He goes on top from ANODE (4) who has the talent but might need to do a bit of work early from his wide draw. PARKOUR (2) was doing his best work on the line when fourth to Storm Boy last start and will be improved by the run. DUVANA (6) has upside and will be strong late.

R5: Sky High Stakes (2000m)

Dufficy: This race has fallen away, Ray. It just hasn’t held up so LINDERMANN (3) gets his chance to find his confidence again. He should tag JUST FINE (4) and prove very hard to beat. Just Fine is difficult to assess after an inconclusive first-up run. Maybe it was the soft track but he was beaten a long way. ATHABASCAN (8) needed the run first-up and I am expecting more from him on Saturday. Likewise, KALAPOUR (6) did nothing first-up but with a drier track, if he gets it, he is quite capable of an upset.

Thomas: LINDERMANN (3) picks himself. He had no luck first-up in the Apollo Stakes then was competitive at Group 1 level when third to Think It Over and Fangirl in the Verry Elleegant Stakes. This is obviously a much easier assignment, Lindermann is unbeaten at this track and won the Rosehill Guineas over the 2000m course last year. ATHABASCAN (8) ran well first-up in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and will be fitter. JUST FINE (4) was disappointing when resuming but the conditions of this race suit him better and if left alone in front, he will be hard to run down. STOCKMAN (5) could be the big improver particularly if there is any rain around.

R6: Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m)

Dufficy: I am very keen on AIRMAN (1). He is a young, talented, emerging sprinter resuming. Good draw gives him the chance to stalk the leaders and he is hard to beat. DASHING LEGEND (10) is a really nice mare. She has had her two trials. She was terrific when a winner first-up last preparation at this distance and although this is a harder race, she gets a good chance to pick up some black-type. RED CARD (4) has had a tick-over trial since winning at this track and distance first-up and that inside draw is gold for her. LIBERTAD (11) was found to have cardiac arrhythmia first-up and you’ve got to be forgiving for those horses. He is very good if brings his right form here.

Thomas: I’ve also gone with AIRMAN (1). He has also promised plenty and is set to deliver this campaign. He showed glimpses last spring with an impressive win at Randwick in fast time and a narrow loss in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes. He failed at Group 1 level before being spelled but looked sharp enough in a recent trial. Drawn alongside RED CARD (4) and will be stalking his main rival. Red Card is very fast and has the race fitness edge. She is unbeaten in two attempts at the Rosehill 1100m. DASHING LEGEND (10) always sprints well fresh and her two trials indicate she is trained up for this race. HARD TO SAY (5) has run very competitively at stakes level his last two starts and rates among the main chances.

R7: Phar Lap Stakes (1500m)

Dufficy: I am going for a minor upset with ZARDOZI (11). Nothing went right in a slowly-run race when shoved right off the outside of the track there in the Surround and I suspect there is massive improvement to come here. She’s got a little chance. MAKARENA (14) sets up well third-up and is ready to go. SALTCOATS (5) loomed up but knocked up first-up, just needed the run, so he fits in nicely. LES VAMPIRES (2) probably gets control up front and runs a good race back a grade here.

Thomas: MAKARENA (14), winner of the Tapp-Craig over 1400m here last spring, has had two runs from a spell including her last start fifth in the Group 1 Surround Stakes. She had to work hard early from a wide barrier and held on well. Fillies have a great record in this race and she sets up nicely here. KINTYRE (6) ran a blinder first-up with a fast-finishing third to Gently Rolled and back against his own age, he will be in the mix. SALTCOATS (5) also took on older horses first-up and ran well to finish a close second over 1350m here. His inside draw is an advantage and he gets James McDonald. MARE OF MT BULLER (15) is a promising staying filly who will be doing her best work late in this race.

R8: Coolmore Classic (1500m)

Dufficy: I keep coming back to ZOUGOTCHA (1) – she is a class mare. It was great to see her back winning first-up. She has to carry the topweight here but I don’t really think she is that badly weighted. TROPICAL SQUALL (6), if she gets across these early without spending too much petrol, is certainly going to give a great sight. She is a talented filly. KIMOCHI (17) is another filly who I want to forgive last start after she got shuffled back and her tongue over the bit. Her previous form was impeccable. SEMANA (3) has a good-looking record now, winning her past two in dominant fashion, and is held in high regard by the stable.

Thomas: ZOUGOTCHA (1) ticks most of the boxes. She was excellent first-up running down the race-fit Lady Laguna in the Millie Fox Stakes. Lady Laguna then won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes last week to confirm the form. Zougotcha has to carry topweight of 57kg but her ideal draw should ensure she gets the run of the race, she races well on this track, is effective second-up and handles all track conditions. MORE SECRETS (14) ran impressive closing sectionals in her first-up third in the Guy Walter Stakes. She drops to just 51.5kg, the lightest weight she’s ever carried, and with even luck in running, she will be hitting the line hard. VIENNA PRINCESS (4) ran on well when fourth to Zougotcha first-up but is much better suited out to 1500m and she does have a very good second-up record. REVOLUTIONARY MISS (2) is in career-best form, she’s very fit and with any luck will be in the finish.

R9: Ajax Stakes (1500m)

Dufficy: I am a fan of DETONATOR JACK (2), always have been. I love this horse and I am convinced he is here to run well after catching the eye at the trials. With clear running, he will be charging home late. DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (5) is the biggest improver. He had to duck back to the inside there first-up with excuses. James McDonald takes the ride now and I think he is right in this race. This is the stiffest test to date for AMOR VICTORIOUS (13). He’s had five weeks and a trial since winning those two races impressively and he could well jump the bar here. PALMETTO (7) was good first-up with improvement to come and he is very genuine.

Thomas: AMOR VICTORIOUS (13) is an exciting front-runner. He has a high cruising speed and gets his rivals off the bit and chasing a long way from home. This is his big test but he’s a sprinter-miler on the rise. PHEARSON (8) is the danger. He also likes to dominate from the front as he did last start to win the Liverpool City Cup. He won the Festival Stakes over this course and distance over summer. With the expected fast early tempo, the race sets up for a backmarker like DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (5). He will be finishing fast. WELWAL (8) did well to win first-up over 1400m and can only be improved.

R10: Rosehill Bowling Club Hcp (1400m)

Dufficy: TAVI TIME (7) picks himself. He is an exciting horse. I concede he won’t be fully wound-up for this with bigger targets ahead but just looking at the depth of this race, if he keeps up, I think he wins. WHINCHAT (6) was a total forgive with too much to do after a slow start there last time. This is a different race where he gets control. He just has to run the 1400m out. GENTLY ROLLED (9) has done a great job. She has been well-placed all her career and is in the mix again. FRANKIE PINOT (1) is not the worst here around $41. He made good ground late first-up, he gets to 1400m with nice second-up form, and with the claim he can run well.

Thomas: TAVI TIME (7) is short enough in betting around $1.75 but he does look a safe bet. Gifted galloper who made a mess of his rival winning a Provincial Midway Championship heat at Newcastle when resuming. He’s staying at 1400m which is the only concern but he should still prove too good for this field. GENTLY ROLLED (9) is chasing a hat-trick after good wins at Randwick and Rosehill. She’s very genuine and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. The consistent SO RISQUE (3) has drawn awkwardly but will be thereabouts and WHINCHAT (6) could be hard to run down if he gets left alone in front.

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s tips, analysis for all 10 races on 2024 Coolmore Classic Day at Rosehill Gardens

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/horse-racing/expert-opinion/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-tips-analysis-for-all-10-races-on-2024-coolmore-classic-day-at-royal-randwick/news-story/250fa19a71651ba13b7798e218e54510