Randwick races: Shayne O’Cass’ tips and extended preview

There is a plenty of value for punters at Royal Randwick, including an $8 shot who is ready to make the step up from provincial grade, says form analyst Shayne O’Cass.

The Jean Dubois-trained Zadig can win a second TAB Highway at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Shayne O’Cass runs the rule over every race, including suggested bets, for the Rosehill meeting on Saturday.

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RANDWICK

Track: Heavy 10. Rail: +12m 1000m-W/Post, +10m Remainder

RACE 1

Contemporary is an Exceed And Excel grandson of the dual Group 1 winner Mnemosyne who happened to be bred by Ron Quinton. This Godolphin colt clearly has the best form in the race and was dominant in every respect on the Kensington track last start, he just has to be able to do it again on the slush this time. True Crime is an improving type who seemingly loves the heavy tracks. Hell’s Itch has been kept under wraps in his two trials. The son of Hellbent seems to have something there and is worth a good look at the massive odds.

BETTING ADVICE: Hell’s Itch to win

RACE 2

Zadig beat Bootscooter in a June 11 Highway here over 1500m. Had won on the Heavy and was a bit of an eye-catcher in his Hawkesbury trial even though he beat only two to the line. Running Bear is a daughter of Your Song which accounts for her ability to perform on Heavy tracks. Have to say that she is all but proven at this level now. Lord Desanimaux could even start favourite on the day given a host of factors, not least that he from the Terry Robinson yard. That, and those good numbers that make him such a player here.

BETTING ADVICE: Zadig to win

Monfelicity (white cap) can make it back-to-back Midway Handicap wins. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Elusive Jewel and Cruel Summer, the equal favourites on the TAB Fixed board when markets first went up, are similar in that both are in-form, fit, horses. Hard to say with any certainty, but they are probably drawn in the right barriers towards the outside of the field. As for Dr Evil. Barrier 1? Is it a blessing or a curse on the day? Monfelicity was always going to train on and that is clearly evident on the strength of that narrow but still impressive first-up win at Rosehill. Just hope she doesn’t want, or need, more than a mile too soon.

BETTING ADVICE: Monfelicity to win

RACE 4

Kris Lees trained mare Enchanted Heart has raced at Randwick seven times but has hardly been magnificent! In fact, the daughter of Shamus Award hasn’t placed at Randwick in all the time but it’s hard to go past her Heavy tracks record, one of those wins was over Lost And Running. Easy Single was a big drifter last start when a distant third here two weeks ago. The son of Not A Single Doubt seemed to have his chance. Numbers still read well, perhaps the best number of all is 52.5kg, compared to his main three rivals at the top of the order

BETTING ADVICE: Enchanted Heart to win

RACE 5

I could be all wrong (again) but I can’t understand all this love for The Milkybar Kid? He was one of the worst last start winners you would ever see. The upsides are; Waterhouse/Bott, Heavy track, own lead (maybe) and he is a Reliable Man out of a Tavistock mare. That said - $2.10? That’s one for the brave. Philipsburg would just about be the most genuine horse in Sydney this winter. He just keeps on turning up and doing the same thing. That thing is running on but running out of ground. Maybe 2400m will do the trick.

BETTING ADVICE: Philipsburg to win

Philipsburg (left) should appreciate stepping up to 2400m on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

The Himalayas is a lightly-raced gelding who deserves a crack in town after those back to back wins at home at Hawkesbury, one beating a subsequent winner. Nice enough horse with no weight, a champion jockey and a slashing barrier. Kalino is a Pierro gelding who beat Wednesday’s Kensington winner Tympanist here at Randwick last start. Have to say, he had the race handed to him on a platter but still, you’ve got to convert, and he slotted in straight between the sticks. Per Inaway has really measured up in Australia since coming over from New Zealand.

BETTING ADVICE: The Himalayas to win

RACE 7

I remember thinking that $2.70 was a wee-bit short about Waihaha Falls last start, not that I was insane enough to tip against him. He started even-money and was deadset $1.04 up the rise. You don’t see them win that easily every day of the week. Titanium Power cashes in on any ‘leader bias’ Poetic Charmer probably couldn’t make up the 6-odd lengths to turn the tables on Waihaha Falls on this Heavy track. If it was a Good 4, well now, that would be a different story.

BETTING ADVICE: Waihaha Falls to win

RACE 8

Gold Trip is just about the most interesting horse to race at Randwick all season! His form in France is at the very highest echelon; if you want a comparison, it would be like a horse running around in Cox Plates, BMWs, Tancreds and Caulfield Cups and the like. Is he just too good? Durston is a Sea The Moon gelding with a great C.V and strike-rate, both here and in the UK. Somewhat unknown on a Heavy 10, have to say, he trialled super the other morning.

BETTING ADVICE: Durston each-way

Durston (centre) can cause an upset in the Winter Challenge at Randwick on Saturday.

RACE 9

Conscript is a real mudlark, racing in the best form of his career. It takes a pretty fair horse to win six races from 15 starts and he’s placed another five times so he certainly is a trier. I guess also his pattern also plays a part in where he finishes. That was the real Jai Lee last start when a close and determined second to Dalaalaat.who is maybe not you rolled-gold muddie but he got through it well enough in a Midway back in March to maybe chance the arm on a horse who is, after all, a last start winner.

BETTING ADVICE: Dalaalaat to win

RACE 10

Sunrise Ruby and Lady Brook face off here in what shapes as an absorbing rematch after the pair went one-two in that 1100m race here on July 9. The Albury mare won the day that time, no reason to see why they can’t fight it out again there; I suppose what it might come down to is how the track played. Lady Banff is a lovely grey mare who is at least Saturday city level on her best day. She goes well fresh, has won on Heavy, and was very good in her trial at the Farm the other morning.

BETTING ADVICE: Sunrise Ruby to win

Originally published as Randwick races: Shayne O’Cass’ tips and extended preview