Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy

TAB BIG BETS: THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy preview Saturday’s key races at Rosehill.

Farolitos looks one of the best bets of the day at Rosehill. Picture: Simon Bullard

THE Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy preview Saturday’s key races at Rosehill and Eagle Farm.

ROSEHILL

R6: PRO IT HANDICAP (1500m)

Thomas: Roguish threw it away at Randwick last week and was relegated to fourth on protest. He is inexperienced but obviously talented and on the quick back-up here with the blinkers going on, he is the horse to beat. His two wins have been on soft tracks and being by More Than Ready he should handle the heavy track. Classic Uniform is an absolute swimmer and the wetter the better for him. Dinghu Mountain and Supply And Demand are also good chances.

Dufficy: This does look a tough race on paper but I like Roguish as well. To think they went up $11 earlier in the week — ridiculous odds. The blinkers go on here and he has soft track form. Supply And Demand is the danger. He should be right at his peak now after three runs from a spell. I’m a fan of Dreamforce but he has no wet track experience and I agree Classic Uniform comes right into it given the heavy track.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Roguish $11-$5.50-$4.80 ($200 @ $11, $500 @ $8, $690 @ $7, $300 @ $6.50)

R7: MONACO CUP (1500m)

Thomas: Farolitos was closing late in the Pirate Ben race at Randwick and third-up here he is fit and ready, particularly as he carries only 56.5kg after the claim. Sebrina is the danger. She will improve off her third to Pindan Pearl two weeks ago and handles rain-affected conditions. Disgraceful has run two blinders since resuming and he performs on heavy tracks while Consign is an interesting runner who ran well at his debut for Chris Waller.

Dufficy: I’m with Farolitos, too. If there is one horse I’m keen to back on a tough day it is Farolitos. His only heavy track run was a good second to Hi World in the Carbine Club Stakes, which is good form for this race. I can see him stalking Kontiki Dane and proving hard to run down. Disgraceful is a big chance. He is at his peak now and I like him on the quick back-up given the testing conditions. Sebrina rates highly and Consign is a bit of a watch as well.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Farolitos $6-$4.20 ($300 @ $6, $300 @ $4.20)

R8: THOMAS REUTERS TACK AND ACCOUNTING HCP (1800m)

Thomas: I’m giving High Midnight another chance. He ran only seventh in the Scone Cup but was beaten less than a length. Less Is More also comes out of the Scone Cup where he had absolutely no luck. Foreign Prince goes well on heavy tracks and is a lightweight knockout chance. Sons Of John is the class runner but he does have 61kg.

Tales Of Grimm has had excuses at his past two starts. Picture: Simon Bullard

Dufficy: I have been tied to the hip with Tales Of Grimm. He has had legitimate excuses at his last two starts. I feel he has needed racing and I’m staying with him. High Midnight is very well weighted and he does get a few favours here. I also agree with you about Less Is More and that Scone Cup form looks very strong. Sons Of John is much fitter now.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Sons Of John $11-$6.50 ($200 @ $10), Foreign Prince $26-$14 ($700 e/w @ $14/$4.05, $300 x $150 e/w @ $14/$4.05)

R9: PACIFIC BOATING HCP (1200m)

Thomas: Painte is rock-hard fit and in very good form. Even though he has had a month between runs since he won at Rosehill he was given a nice barrier trial at Warwick Farm earlier this week. From his good draw he will get the right run and performs on heavy tracks. Potentially the best horse at Rosehill on Saturday is McCreery. He hasn’t been seen since finishing hard to win over 1600m at Gosford but in March but I liked his recent Rosehill trial.

Dufficy: I loved McCreery’s trial but I am a little concerned about him at 1200m. The wet track might offset that because when the others are going up and down in the one spot McCreery will be finishing hard. There is something about this horse that I like a lot. I have big watch on Encostanati who is trialling brilliantly.

DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

ROSEHILL

BEST BET

Race 7, No. 3: FAROLITOS

BEST VALUE

Race 4, No. 4: SHE’S CLEAN

TAB MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL

Race 3: Stratum’s Siren $5-$4.20-$4 ($970 @ $5, $600 @ $4.60)

Race 4: She’s Clean $14-$12-$10 ($200 @ $14)

Race 5: Piamimi $26-$10 ($200 @ $14, $200 @ $12), Pindan Pearl $6-$4.40 ($500 @ $6, $500 @ $5.50, $2,000 @ $4.80, $500 @ $4.80)

Originally published as Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy