Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy

RAY Thomas and form expert Ron Dufficy agree Voilier and Disgraceful can win at Canterbury on Saturday, while the $2m MM Classic on the Gold Coast is Capitalist’s race to lose.

Disgraceful ridden by Jason Collett wins race 9 during Melbourne Cup day at Royal Randwick. pic Jenny Evans

THE Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy agree Voilier and Disgraceful can win at Canterbury on Saturday, while the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast is Capitalist’s race to lose.

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CANTERBURY

R1: SCHWEPPES HCP (1200m)

Ray Thomas: An interesting juvenile race to start the day. I think Dissolute and Detective are the ones beat. Dissolute looked really good in a recent barrier trial and Detective should be lining up in the Magic Millions but things went wrong for him in the barriers at Randwick. I‘ve got Dissolute on top of Detective although both are unknown on wet tracks. Jeanneau won well at Randwick and French Fern was very good on debut and gets in light after the claim.

Ron Dufficy: Yes, I think the favourites will fight it out. I liked the way Dissolute went about his work in his trial. He looks a strong, well-educated colt. Detective had a problem at the barriers at Randwick but I don’t think that is an issue. Jeanneau is a nice filly who appreciated getting to 1200m last start but I’m leaning to the two colts with Dissolute on top.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Jeanneau $4.40 — $4.60 — $4.20, French Fern $17 — $13. Deduction 2c x 2c for Zafina.

R6: MORE THAN READY AT VINERY HCP (1550m)

Thomas: One of the hardest races of the day. I like Majaska. It took a nice horse in Bullrush to beat him last start but he kept working to the line. Majasksa gets in well with the claim, too. Mydream caught my eye last start hitting the line well to finish just behind the placegetters in the Testashadow race at Randwick. Never Back Down is racing well and Game Pie was dominant at Hawkesbury.

Dufficy: This is a competitive race. Pico Turquino should have bolted in at Kembla as he blew the start, got a long way back and hit the line. I have no real issue with her jumping up in distance although the lack of speed is a concern. I have her on top of Game Pie. There is a lot to like about this horse, he is a progressive type and his win at Hawkesbury was soft. He could charge through his grades. Majaska should get a nice run up on the speed and that is an advantage to him.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Game Pie $6 — $4.40 ($1100 @ $4.60).

Voilier is the best of the day at Canterbury, according to Ron Dufficy. Picture: Simon Bullard

R7: CELLARBRATIONS HCP (1250m)

Thomas: Disgraceful has been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but this does look the right race for him. He handles soft ground, from the three gate he will be up on the speed making his own luck, and this is his chance. Savoureux has blinkers on third-up and she did win a strong race at Rosehill third-up last campaign.

Dufficy: I’m going with Disgraceful as well. He is honest, finds the right draw, handles the track conditions and he maps very well. The danger is Shadow Lord. I thought it was a forgivable run when he got chopped out last time. I thought they were the two to beat as outside of this pair it looks a wide race.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Disgraceful $6-$3.10, Savoureux $26 — $14 — $15 — $9.50. Deduction 12c for Voilier; 25c for I Am Zelady; 12c for Progressive.

R8: TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HCP (1100m)

Thomas: Allez Chival ticks every box here. She is five-time winner from nine starts, a winner over this course and distance, handles soft tracks, she is advantaged with Jess Taylor’s 3kg claim, she races up on speed and is very genuine. Thud is fitter for two runs back from a spell and is working up to a win. Alucinari has a strong chance, too.

Dufficy: I have the same three numbers, Ray, but Alucinari on top. She has been good this preparation, there is confidence in the market about her and she should be hard to beat. Thud is back a little in distance but is going well. Allez Chival is underrated and does look to get a few favours.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Awasita $14 — $12 — $13 — $10 ($500 @ $14), Alucinari $8.50 -$3.70. Deduction 19c for Cheeky Babe; 2c for Lot Three Four One.

R9: TFE HOTELS HCP (1100m)

Thomas: Voilier went super first-up when second to Rule The River at Randwick. He went into that race without a trial and ran very gamely. Voilier is fitter now and looks to be back to his best. Prince Harada loomed up to win the Randwick race but he knocked up in the last 150m. He was also first-up without a barrier trial and will be much improved by that run. It is worth noting two of his three career wins have been on soft tracks. Lightweight Raido likes wet tracks and is a chance.

Dufficy: I think you have said it all. I rate Voilier the bet of the day. He had a wind operation when spelling and it has done him the world of good. He was very gutsy first-up and should get a nice run here with no weight on his back. Prince Harada is the danger. He needed the run at Randwick and got ambushed late. El Sasso won first-up on a soft track last campaign and he is a value runner.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Territory $41 — $31 ($500 @ $31), Rule The River $3.60 — $3 ($2000 @ $3.60), Voilier $7 — $6 ($650 @ $7), Raido $15 — $12. Deduction 6c for Husson Eagle.

GOLD COAST

R7: MAGIC MILLIONS GUINEAS (1400m)

Thomas: Egyptian Symbol is drawn to get the right run here from her gate six. She missed the start at the Gold Coast last start and was charging home late when third to Madotti. From her favourable draw, she should be able to settle much closer to the pace and prove hard to beat. Sir Bacchus is a big improver and he will enjoy the fast tempo. Flamboyant Lass and Flippant are both definite chances in a very open race.

Dufficy: Flippant was very good winning at Wyong and I feel she is the one to beat here. I’m not overly worried about the wide draw because if she finds cover then I think the track will play off the fence so she will probably be in the right part of the track. She is a talented filly and can beat Egyptian Symbol, who is going well. The favourite Mahuta is 56 days without a trial, first trip away, first gallop around Gold Coast, he has the outside draw — but he is trained by Darren Weir so he has to be respected.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Mahuta $4.20 — $4 — $4.50 ($1000 @ $4.20), Sir Bacchus $11 — $8.50 — $9 ($1000 @ $9), Flippant $7 — $5 ($2500 e/w @ $6/$2.25), Flamboyant Lass $13 — $9.

R8: MAGIC MILLIONS CLASSIC (1200m)

Thomas: Capitalist — only bad luck beats him, Ronnie. He is a superior juvenile, he has absolutely dynamic acceleration, and is a push-button ride for Blake Shinn. From gate two, Capitalist is going to get the gun run and Shinn just has to make sure the colt doesn’t get locked away on the fence. All things being equal, he just wins. It is hard to tip anything to beat him although I expect Nikitas to be hitting the line strongly, Conchita and Zelady’s Night Out are the pick of the fillies.

Dufficy: He is a class act, Capitalist. I thought it was an awkward draw as all eyes are on him and they won’t be doing Blake Shinn any favours but this colt has a lap on them. The way he travels, the way he cruises, his sprint, he should just win. I was impressed with Slumber Party’s effort last start as she paraded with scope for improvement. Zelady’s Night Out is unbeaten in three starts but has a horror draw, and I liked the way Nikitas rallied late last start.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Capitalist ($3000, $2000, $1100 and $1000 [multiple times] @ $1.65), Niccolance $11 — $10 ($500 @ $11), Zelady’s Night Out ($1000 e/w @ $9.50/$2.61), Faraway Town ($500 e/w @ $35/$7.47), Rainy Day Woman $201 — $71 ($500 @ $151).

DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

BEST BETS

Canterbury

Race 9, No. 10 VOILIER

Gold Coast

Race 4, No. 9 PRIVATE SECRETARY

BEST VALUE

Canterbury

Race 6, No. 9 PICO TURQUINO

Originally published as Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy