Rosehill tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis
Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy discuss the top chances at Rosehill for the San Domenico Stakes meeting to help you find some winners.
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The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy debate the chances across the 10 races at the San Domenico Stakes meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
SUGGESTED BETS
DUFF’S BEST
R8 No.8: KIBOU
VALUE BET
R9 No.7: ZOUKERINO
R1: TAB HIGHWAY HCP (1400m)
RON DUFFICY: This is not the strongest Highway and I feel they went up stupid odds about Rebel’s Edge. He is going well and has been unlucky his last two starts. I know he has an ordinary racing style but back to a Class 2 Highway suits him. Zaru was a Highway winner last start, gets in well with the claim, drawn to get the right run and will give himself every opportunity. Dream Game has hit his straps winning both runs this time in. Daksha gets a gear change and is much better than what we saw last start on that biased track and I’m prepared to give him another chance.
RAY THOMAS: Dream Game is chasing a hat-trick of wins after impressive efforts at Moruya and Canberra. He has drawn wide but if he finds some cover early, he will be strong late. I’ve got Dream Game on top from Sky Diamonds who has drawn off the track. Expect Sky Diamonds will go back from her wide barrier but she will also be closing fast. I also rate Rebel’s Edge a good each way chance and Crop Duster is another at odds who can run well.
R2: THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HCP (1500m)
DUFFICY: I’m going with the value here and Hope In Your Heart. She had plenty to offer, along with Frumos, when never clear last start. I’d rather back her at the odds than the hot favourite Frumos. She is obviously very promising and was similar to Hope In Your Heart last start going to the line hard held. She could easily bounce back here. Roots is a talented mare with strong form lines and the booking of James McDonald is significant. Air To Air is right up in class but was very good winning last start and has gone well in a barrier trial between runs.
THOMAS: Everyone saw what happened with Frumos last start – she is still trying to get out into the clear. She does settle back in the field early in her races so she needs some luck on her side but this mare is blessed with brilliant acceleration and she should make amends here. Roots is a promising mare resuming after being tested at Group 1 level in autumn. Her trials indicate she is ready to sprint well fresh. Mystic Mermaid is very fit and has held her form through winter and Hope In Your Heat rates highly for all the reasons you mentioned, Ronnie.
R3: GOFFS ORBY SALE HCP (2000m)
DUFFICY: This race is all about the Chris Waller stable, he has the top five picks here. I like Born A King, he’s in great form, finds a suitable race again, likes the track and gets more ticks than most. Il Affare is at her peak now and gets another chance. First Light didn’t get much room down the straight last start and does no work from this draw. Head Of State is an interesting runner and he has trialled since an awful run first-up. This is probably D-Day for him on a drying track he can improve.
THOMAS: Il Affare had her opportunity at Randwick last start but only held her ground in the run home to finish fourth behind Casino Kid over 1600m. She just lacked the speed to go with her rivals in the straight and will appreciate getting out to 2000m. At her peak after three runs from a spell, this race sets up well for her. Head Of State won the Gloaming Stakes over 1800m here last spring but has to lift on his poor first-up run. He has had a couple of trials since and we know he has the talent. Born A King does look very hard to beat particularly with 3kg claiming apprentice Dylan Gibbons. The Waller stable can lead in the top four with First Light also worthy of consideration.
R4: MIDWAY HCP (1300m)
DUFFICY: I quite like Eye See Things. Her trial was very good since she had excuses last start and can bounce back at odds. Air To Air is a frustrating mare but she has her confidence back since winning last start. We will see what race she contests (also in race 2). Highballer was pretty good at the end of last preparation and has had a nice, soft trial going into this race. Loving Cilla is another one who can sprint well fresh and is a hidden chance at huge odds after three trials.
THOMAS: Diamond Diesel has run on powerfully to win both starts this campaign on heavy tracks. The improving Rosehill surface should suit him and although he has to cope with a rise in grade, he gets in on the minimum weight after the claim. Nictock found the 1400m a touch too far when he ran a game third in a Midway last start. Racing well and dropping back to 1300m suits him. Abuela ran up to win at the midweeks when resuming before finishing a close second and will be fitter. If Air To Air runs in the Midway, she will be among the main chances.
R5: SCHWEPPES HCP (1400m)
DUFFICY: I don’t mind this import, Old Flame. He’s in his second Australian preparation, I always like that, and I like what he did last campaign. He is set to perform well. Grace And Harmony was outstanding considering the circumstances first-up. She is way up in class here but she is good enough. Blaze A Trail is very good on dry tracks so he’s a chance if the surface suits. I keep looking at Angel Of Truth, he’s the class horse here and if you look at some of his fresh form in Group 1 company he can measure up here.
THOMAS: We are on the same page with Old Flame. He showed promise last campaign and his two trials have been very impressive in recent weeks. Old Flame is the one to beat but I do respect Grace And Harmony who ran a blinder when resuming at Randwick. She was unsuited by a slow early tempo but powered to the finish to just miss overhauling Yukon with third placegetter Pizarro winning at his next start. True Detective is always thereabouts but finds it hard to win. Blaze A Trail is racing in good form.
R6: NED WHISKY HCP (1100m)
DUFFICY: Fire is a very sharp horse. He is better off around a bend here and will be hard to beat. Quick Tempo was enormous considering circumstances last time and James McDonald has chased the ride. Rubinocchi is nice and fresh, maps well and sure to give a great sight again. Riva Del Sol is going better than her recent form suggests.
THOMAS: Fire was brilliant first-up at Sandown then seemed to get lost up the Flemington and was edged out by Chain Of Lightning. The Rosehill 1100m course will suits a speedy type like Fire and he’s clearly the one to catch. Rubinocchi has plenty of early dash and she is the main danger to Fire. Quick Tempo is an underrated sprinter who is very fit and racing well. Van Giz is fitter and can improve.
R7: DRINKWISE HCP (1500m)
DUFFICY: I have gone wide here with Yukon. I know he got plenty of favours with that soft lead when he won first-up but that form has been franked and he deserves more respect in the market than what they are giving him. Waterford has a big boom on him but the fact is he’s coming out of a midweek maiden win. He’s had a couple of nice trials and has a lot of upside. Kalino maps perfectly and he’s fit and well. Kalapour is an interesting horse with some nice support when the markets went up earlier in the week.
THOMAS: Aeecee Express is building a good record and was impressive second-up leading throughout to win at the Kensington midweek meetings. Likes to lead and should run a strong 1500m. This is his big test but he’s fit and will be hard to beat. Waterford resumes but is highly promising and is a horse to follow through the spring. Gracilistyla didn’t have the best of luck when resuming and she did win second-up last preparation. Kalino is racing in top form and will go close.
R8: UP AND COMING STAKES (1300m)
DUFFICY: I’m confident with Kibou here. After one run back from a spell, He has found a lovely race for himself back to 1300m with no weight. If he can find the fence here he will be tough to run down. Conqueror had far too much to do at 1400m first-up, he’s had a trial since and is sure to be around the mark. Shalatin has had three trials so he’s had a nice grounding and gets his chance to put his hand up here. Basquiat hasn’t been let go in two trials and has that Queensland winter carnival residual fitness on his side.
THOMAS: Conqueror took on older horses first-up and after getting into a bumping duel at the top of the straight, he ran on strongly for second. Back to his own age but has to come back slightly in trip. Gifted colt and the one to beat. Kibou is the danger. He should be able to slide across from his wide barrier early and assume control up front. Kibou could dictate terms to suit which means he will be very hard to beat. Backrower was unlucky first-up at Rosehill and will be fitter. Shalatin has loads of ability and gets the drier track he needs.
R9: SAN DOMENICO STAKES (1100m)
DUFFICY: It’s a beauty, this race. I want to be with Zoukerino. He’s up and going, he gets the run of the race again, he’s ready to pounce if there is any weakness in the fitness of his rivals, and he’s the best value. Best Of Bordeaux was outstanding last preparation, his two trials have been sharp and there is no knock on him except the price. The big improver here is Sebonack. He is a lovely horse who had excuses first-up on that biased track after missing the start. Promitto appears untapped and adds plenty of interest.
THOMAS: Best Of Bordeaux won the Silver Slipper and ran second in the Golden Slipper last autumn and is resuming here off two brilliant trial wins. Richly talented colt suited around the Rosehill 1100m course. Zoukerino did a great job to burst through late to win the Rosebud. He’s unbeaten after two starts and holds what could be a decisive fitness edge over Best Of Bordeaux. Unbeaten duo Promitto and Nettuno are both very talented and should be in the finish.
R10: FUJITSU GENERAL HCP (1200m)
DUFFICY: Shades Of Rose has been brilliant but she hits 1200m for the first time this campaign. She was gifted the race last start and there is more pressure here so she has a few questions to answer. Maotai showed encouraging signs with his manners winning first-up but needs to keep putting it together here from the trickier draw. Conscript is in good form but has a bit of work to do from his draw. Dream Circle is hard to catch but is always a knockout chance.
THOMAS: Shades Of Rose made it five wins from seven starts when she romped home at Rosehill two weeks ago. She is a brilliant mare and is equally as effective on firmer tracks. I have no issue with her going to 1200m and she will be hard to beat. Conscript has drawn wide but he has good tactical speed and a fierce will-to-win. Maotai did a great job to win first-up under a big weight and will be improved. Sur La Mer is racing very consistently and stays under notice.
Originally published as Rosehill tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis
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