Gosford tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy best bets and analysis

Ron Dufficy is confident Tulloch Lodge gelding Military Mission can bring up the hat-trick while Ray Thomas likes stablemate Resonator to kick off the day on a winning note.

Talented three-year-old Battleton resumes as a gelding and looks hard to beat in the final event at Gosford. Picture: Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy analyse the chances for the feature The Coast meeting at the Gosford stand-alone on Saturday.

SUGGESTED BETS

DUFF’S BEST

Race 5, No.5: MILITARY MISSION

BEST VALUE

Race 3, No.15: SHOWTIME LADY

RAY’S BEST

Race 1, No.4: RESONATOR

NEXT BEST

Race 10, No.8: BATTLEON

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.14: POITA

RACE 1: VITAL HOSPITALITY 2YO HCP (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: It is dangerous tipping horses who have been racing on these bog tracks but Resonator looked pretty good winning first-up at Canterbury. He was in the market on debut in the Breeders Plate earlier in the season and now that he has been gelded, he seemed to do the job pretty well the other day. Zou Tiger made an encouraging debut on a heavy track and he has had a beautiful trial since. From the good draw he will be in the firing line for a long way. There looks to be good speed here which might set it up for one late and that could be the Godolphin colt Contemporary. London has form around Golden Slipper winner Fireburn and his recent trial was good.

Ray Thomas: I’m also with Resonator. He led and dominated his rivals at Canterbury when resuming and will only be improved by the run. Zou Tiger ran well on debut when run down by a handy filly in Zougotcha and has trialled well since. He’s the main danger. I’ve also got London in my numbers and Command Approved is fitter for a sound first-up run.

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott can start the day on a winning note with resonator. picture: AAP Image

RACE 2: TAB HIGHWAY (1200m)

Dufficy: I have a slight leaning to Two Ya Got. He is lightly raced, blinkers go on and the form around him is good. Boom Boom Basil was terrific first-up, he would have been top pick bar the draw and map which looks awkward for him from the wide draw. Cracking Mo has good Highway form which usually stands up in these races. Sungblue has won on the track, he has a good draw and maps quite nicely.

Thomas: This is a very open Highway so I’m looking wide and going with Poita each way. Poita gets back in his races and Gosford will pose some challenges but he has a strong finishing sprint. He was unlucky not to win at Port Macquarie last start when he was forced to make his run along the worst section of the track near the inside rail. Handles rain-affected tracks well and with plenty of speed up front, he will be strong late. The speedy Cracking Mo is back to his right trip and will be hard to catch here. Sungblue is working up to a win and Tucson Valley is in great form but drawn off the track.

RACE 3: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1200m)

Dufficy: Showtime Lady should be hard to beat. She’s a nice mare who raced well during the spring, her two recent trials have been impressive and she will be strong here. The depth of form around her last preparation has been good since. The danger is Sunborn. She has an awkward draw but she was very dominant winning the Midway first-up. Miss Fox is two from two on her home track, she should get a beautiful run from her inside draw. Dalaalaat can improve on a firmer track.

Thomas: Another very open race. I’m with Dalaalaat, Ronnie. He’s raced well on unsuitable heavy tracks in both runs this campaign and the likelihood of an improving surface that should get back into the soft range gives him his opportunity. Dalaalaat settles off speed but always closes off strongly. Oxford Tycoon usually races well second-up, has the benefit of the apprentice’s claim and is over the odds. Two Up is in good form but has to overcome a wide draw. Daralina Belle is going to need luck from her wide barrier but has the ability to be in the finish.

RACE 4: THE THUNDER THOUSAND (1000m)

Dufficy: Dehorned Unicorn is resuming here but his two trials have been good, he won at 1000m first-up last preparation, he gets the 2kg claim and won his only start on this track so there is plenty in his favour. His main danger is Siege. At her only run last campaign she scored a big win, her two trials have been eye-catching. Never Second is the other chance. It looks a favourites’ race and she is two from two on the track.

Thomas: Siege is a lightly-raced mare with an unbeaten first-up record. She comes out of a good trial won by Oscar Zulu, she has a powerful finish and looks hard to beat. Dehorned Unicorn is a very fast three-year-old, he has won at Gosford and trialled brilliantly for his return. Capital Reign is another speedy type with a race fitness edge, and Never Second has won both her starts on this track.

RACE 5: Benchmark 78 Hcp (2080m)

Dufficy: I’m very confident with Military Mission. I love the way he is going, he could be a real spring prospect. He will be very hard to beat again. Hameron is the main threat. He is a raw talent, the form around him is strong, he gets the blinkers and is right in this with his lightweight. Ting Tong is very consistent and should be competitive. Stellar Performer is an honest mare, has a gear change with the winkers back on and is ready for this distance now.

Thomas: With the scratching of Aleas, Military Mission is top pick. As you pointed out Ronnie, Military Mission is in great form, has an admirable on-speed racing pattern and can sustain a strong gallop. The danger is Hameron. He was backed as if unbeatable last start but the blinkers go on here and he is going to be hard to hold out. Ting Tong is racing consistently and outsider Mandalong Tapit comes off a good win at Tamworth.

Samarkand will give another bold sight. Picture: Race Images

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1600m)

Dufficy: Samarkand is a nice enough horse. He fought hard last time and was only nudged out last start but was far from disgraced. He probably takes ownership of this race from the inside draw and he will be hard to run down. Elusive Jewel impressed me last start and is a mare on the improve. Rebel Rama won easily first-up last preparation and her two trials have her ready. Solar Apex has had an easy trial, he was very good at the start of his last campaign, he has a good record on this track and he gets the claim so I can make a case for him as well.

Thomas: With Diamil likely to go to The Coast, Samarkand is a clear top pick. Samarkand defeated subsequent provincial winner Thousand Years when resuming at Kembla Grange then was run down late by Chateaux Park at Warwick Farm. He’s third-up at 1600m, races on speed in a controlling position and is the one to beat. Rebel Rama does sprint well fresh, Elusive Jewel is fit and in-form, and watch for an improved showing from Galaxy Belle back in this grade.

RACE 7: GOSFORD GOLD CUP (2080m)

Dufficy: I want to tip Numerian, Ray. This looks the right race for him to find winning form again. He’s run in all the right races, he goes forward, probably stalks Main Stage and should be awfully hard to beat. Great House sets up well here with a five-week freshen and an easy trial. I expect he will be in the finish. I’m very wary of Pappalino. This is a horse that has a sensational second-up record, he has had a tick over since he resumed on a bog track. There is some stable confidence about him. Main Stage is in rare form and although he has had a busy schedule, he’s set to give his all from the front again.

Thomas: Main Stage is flying, winning three of his last five starts. His only defeats were second placings to promising types Diamil and Military Mission. Main Stage gapped his rivals at Warwick Farm and although he’s up in grade here, he’s very fit and will be tough to run down. Great House is back in grade here and has the class edge. Numerian is improving with racing and rates highly. Marroni could be an improver.

Oscar Zulu looks a good chance first-up in the Takeover Target Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 8: TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m going with the local, Majestic Shot. It looks like a target race for her, she’s third-up at home, she’s very talented when right and will run a mighty race at good odds. Another each way chance is Lord Olympus. I liked what he did first-up on a bottomless track which is hard to do first-up so I think he can improve here. Oscar Zulu has scored three of his six wins fresh and although he probably prefers 1400m he is going to be strong late. Gravina is always around the mark and should be again,

Thomas: Oscar Zulu has a very good first-up record and indicated he is primed for this race with an impressive barrier trial win at Rosehill. Drawn to get the right run, handles soft-heavy tracks and will be finishing fast. Majestic Shot looks well placed here for all the reasons you mentioned, Ronnie. Constant Flight ran an amazing race from the front when second to Bandersnatch in the Tamworth Cup. He has to come back to 1200m here but is way over the odds. Gravina is a smart sprinter and looks one of the hardest to beat.

RACE 9: THE COAST (1600m)

Dufficy: The Coast is an impossible race to assess with the form horse at the top giving up to 8kg to some of these talented horses at the bottom of the weights. I’m having a bit of a stab in the dark here with Rustic Steel. He has trialled brilliantly since running fourth in the Provincial Midway Championships where he cruised up to win but didn’t quite let down on that very heavy track. He only has to run the mile out to be in the finish. Old Flame is a nice set-up from the Snowden stable. He is a lightly raced import, third-up from an inside draw and looks a likely type. Diamil is up in class but I loved what he did at Warwick Farm two starts back beating Main Stage. He had excuses last start and is a massive improver. Our Playboy is in career-best form, loves soft tracks, is racing well but has to give some nice horses 8kg.

Thomas: Diamil had plenty of excuses when unplaced on a bottomless track at Randwick but I’m going on his win at Warwick Farm two starts back when he toyed with Main Stage. Diamil is up in grade but drops 7kg on his last start defeat and can bounce back. Kinloch is in great form and was unlucky when a fast finishing third in the Tamworth Cup. Kiku is a classy mare and this race sets up nicely for her from the good draw. Our Playboy is genuine and racing well.

Rustic Steel (tartan cap) can break through for a well-earned win in The Coast. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 10: TOOHEYS HCP (1200m)

Dufficy: Battleton has the right form. He ran in the two right races at the end of his spring campaign running second to Mazu in the Brian Crowley Stakes and then finished fifth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes where seven winners have come out of the race including Home Affairs. Battleton has been gelded since, trialled really well and will be hard to beat even though the price is gone. Couple of longshots are the dangers including Latino Blend. She could be a big improver on what might be drier ground. And We Danced is trialling well and gets the blinkers back on. Selburose is more of a dry tracker but she looks sharp at the trials and is a very talented mare on her day.

Thomas: Battleton does look hard to beat. His form last spring was encouraging and he looks sharp at the trials. Rainbow Connection is a promising horse and although 1200m is short of his best he will be charging home. Coal Crusher is improving with racing and Grande Rumore can run well at big odds.

SUGGESTED BETS

Shayne O’Cass’ top picks

KEMBLA GRANGE

BEST BET

Race 1, No.7: LITTLE LANAI

Unlucky not to have won at the midweeks last start, mile suits, Kembla too. Easy to like.

NEXT BEST

Race 4, No.2: MARVELOUS

Placed two of his five starts so far. Second-up improvement anticipated off an encouraging return down in Canberra.

VALUE BET

Race 1, No.1: SECURITY ADVISOR

John Thompson-trained galloper who has clearly come back in good shape based on his two Randwick trials last month.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 2

Race 5: 4,7,8

Race 6: 4,9,14

Race 7: 4

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Jeff Penza has ridden over 300 winners at Kembla and is near certain to add to the tally on Saturday.

GLEN INNES

BEST BET

Race 5, No.5: FLYING BANJO

Last start winner at Armidale on Anzac Day. Quite comfortable in fact and is well placed here despite the barrier.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.3: MONDIAL EXPRESS

Ben Looker mount who will find this somewhat easier than his creditable last start fourth to All Words a Dubbo.

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.2: INTOREMY

Turned in two reasonable performances at Grafton. Lot to like in this line-up save for the wide draw.

Originally published as Gosford tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy best bets and analysis