Randwick tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis

An eye-catching trial has Bottega wound up to resume with a win at Randwick, according to Ron Dufficy and Ray Thomas.

Bottega has trialled well heading into his return. Picture: AAP

The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s form expert Ron Dufficy debate the chances on the 10-race Royal Randwick program on Saturday.

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SUGGESTED BETS

DUFF’S BEST

R8 No.5: BOTTEGA

NEXT BEST

R9 No.6: MUCH MUCH BETTER

BEST VALUE

R6 No.7: MOLLYCODDLE

RAY’S BEST

R7, No.8: FRANCESCO GUARDI

VALUE BET

R3 No.4: KING’S TRUST

R1: NATIONAL JOCKEYS TRUST HCP (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: There are some high-priced yearlings who should be prominent. Himalaism has also shown talent without being pressured in two trials moving nicely. Uncorked has won a trial since an encouraging debut where she was placed at Newcastle. She can only be improved by the race experience. Fireburn showed some ability at her debut and should improve. Hyde is in good hands and is open to improvement after racing greenly on debut.

Ray Thomas: Uncorked matched motors with Russian Conquest and only went under narrowly at Newcastle a month ago. She has since won a trial impressively at Canterbury and is the one to beat. Himalaism, a superbly bred colt by I Am Invincible out of Snitzerland who cost $950,000 at the Easter Yearling Sale, has shown enough at the trials to suggest he will run well on debut. Fireburn and Hyde are improving with race experience.

R2: ATC THANKS JOHN WILLIAMS HCP (1400m)

Dufficy: It’s all about the Waller team here. Sacrimony looks the better odds to me. He was very competitive with Starman last time and is better off at the weights here. In saying that, Starman did look good winning first-up from a spell and obviously has more upside to come. Toomuchtobear is also from the Waller stable who should run well although he might be looking for further. Black Duke might be suited at 1400m now and should be right at his peak.

Thomas: Black Duke recorded a very fast closing 600m sectional when fourth in Arctic Thunder’s Midway at Rosehill. Fitter for three runs from a spell and the 1400m should suit. Starman and Sacrimony fought out the finish at Rosehill last start and both rate highly here. Kobe Rocks ran well first-up and will be fitter.

R3: TAB HIGHWAY (1400m)

Dufficy: Impossible race. I have ended up going with Optimo. He has the outside draw but is coming off a good run in a midweek benchmark race and that form stands out to me. Shelby Sixtysix did a good job coming back in distance last start which sets him up well for this race. All Over Magic has some nice form around him and is capable of running well. Banju gets blinkers and 1400m suits second-up from a spell.

Thomas: King’s Trust, who beat all but Testator Silens on a very heavy track at Rosehill last start, is much better suited on a firmer track and gets conditions to suit here. Mr Burgundy won his maiden comfortably at Gosford and although this is obviously a much stronger race he showing promise. Shelby Sixtysix is racing consistently and has his hoof on the till. Accrue is racing very well at Queanbeyan and is generous odds.

King's Trust will enjoy getting back to a drier track. Picture: Getty Images

R4: MIDWAY HCP (1200m)

Dufficy: I like Queen Bellissimo here, she hasn’t done too much wrong in her short career to date. She can lead or box seat here and should be in the finish again. Rebel Bro hasn’t won in a long time but his two runs back indicate he is working way back to form. Hollywood Gossip is very genuine but will need James McDonald to get across from an awkward draw. I expect improvement from Prince Invincible on a drier track.

Thomas: I’m also with Queen Bellissimo. She won well first-up at Kembla then tried hard when third at Rosehill. In top form, very effective on top of the ground and drawn to get the right run. Hollywood Gossip is also racing very well but will have to do some work early to get over from her wide barrier. Holy Reign is competitive fresh and Prince Invincible will give his rivals something to chase.

R5: PRECISE AIR HCP (2000m)

Dufficy: The Waller stable is strong again in numbers and talent but I still feel they have to get past Huetor. He is two from two in Australia, doing it well in both races and he still has more to offer. I am leaning his way. Mubariz might have been a run short when he loomed up last week so a more patient ride might help. Lord Ardmore is drawn to get the run of the race. Born A King also maps well and should not be discarded.

Thomas: Huetor has shown a touch of quality to win at Newcastle and Rosehill since joining the Snowden stable. He has a good turn of speed and admirable determination. Born A King started favourite when fourth to Huetor last start but deserves another chance down in the weights. Welsh Legend meets Huetor 2kg better at the weights for a narrow loss last start. The in-form Lord Ardmore races on speed and will be in this contest for a long way.

Huetor is aiming to stay unbeaten in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

R6: UNSW HCP (1400m)

Dufficy: Many chances. Mollycoddle might be coming out of stronger formline races and I am happy to have something on her at odds. Saigon was great first-up with improvement to come. Nicci’s Fling was just as good as Saigon last start and is well weighted after the claim. Air To Air is impossible to follow but is at ridiculous odds of $34 with blinkers going on.

Thomas: Saigon was held behind runners at a vital stage in the straight and charged late to finish a close second to Shihonka at Rosehill when resuming. She will be fitter, has won second-up previously and is a winner over the Randwick 1400m course. The Gary Portelli-trained mares Nicci’s Fling and Arctic Thunder are racing in top form and rate highly. Mollycoddle is over the odds.

R7: CHANDON GARDEN SPRITZ HCP (1600m)

Dufficy: Franceso Guardi has been a bit costly for punters of late but finds himself in a very winnable race. He is hard to get away from particularly now he is out to a mile in a race that lacks depth. Canasta drops in class third-up and should be in the firing line for a long way. Amica has had excuses at both runs back and the extra distance suits. She did win at her only run at Randwick. Cisco Bay will enjoy a better draw and is always a knockout chance in this class.

Thomas: This does look Francesco Guardi’s race. He’s coming off successive seconds including most recently at Rosehill when just edged out on the line. Bursting to win a race and this looks his day. Canasta has been improved by two runs from a spell and wasn’t beaten far when fourth behind Katalin last start. Speed Legend is a lightweight chance and Amica is one to watch.

R8: ACY SECURITIES HCP (1400m)

Dufficy: I’m a bit of a fan of Bottega. He was very good when resuming in the Newcastle Newmarket last preparation and he is first-up here off a very good trial. The stable is in very good form and I’m happy to be with him. Bigboyroy is a model of consistency and is sure to be snapping at their heels again. Frosty Rocks is another tough competitor and Josh Parr has had four rides on him for four wins. Oscar Zulu can pull a decent run out fresh.

Thomas: Bottega was impressive winning his Canterbury trial and is primed for his return to racing. He invariably sprints well fresh, has a good record at Randwick is value around $5. Frosty Rocks will lead and if he can get control, he’s always tough to run down. Bigboyroy is very genuine and will be in the mix again. Dream Circle is right down in the weights and is an each chance.

Bottega has trialled well heading into his return. Picture: AAP

R9: FUJITSU GENERAL HCP (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m pretty keen on Much Much Better. Back to a drier track is ideal, he is drawn to take control of the race. He is very underrated and will give a big sight. I Am Power was well beaten first-up but the stable anticipated that. He is a big improver. Tycoonist did enough first-up when he struck interference in the straight but he fits in well here. He just needs luck slotting in from the draw. Loveplanet, a lightly-raced four-year-old with talent, has had two nice trials to prepare for his return.

Thomas: We see this race similarly. I’ve also got Much Much Better on top as he goes forward, makes his own luck and finds plenty under pressure. His form reads well for this race. Liberty Sun’s never been going better and is a lightweight chance at big odds. Tycoonist was unlucky at Rosehill first-up, should take improvement from that run but is awkwardly drawn. I’m also wary of a fitter I Am Power.

R10: SCHWEPPES SPRINT (1000m)

Dufficy: Easy Single is a sharp, shortcourse sprinter who likes his races spaced. He settles in a good position and should be competitive. Leo is a track and distance specialist, trialling well and coming off a career-best win. The Bopper was a touch off the boil last preparation but his trials off a long spell has been pretty good. Princess Rihanna is an ex-Kiwi at big odds who should be respected.

Thomas: I’ve liked The Bopper’s trials and he looks set for a good summer campaign. He’s always been a sprinter of promise, drawn the rails and Hugh Bowman goes on so there is a lot to like about his chances. De Grawin excels over 1000m and her recent trial was impressive. I’ve also got Easy Single and Leo in my numbers in what is shaping as a competitive closer.

SATURDAY EXTRA

Best bets with Shayne O’Cass

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 2 No.5: LO LO LONHRO

Lonhro gelding out of Stutter (hence the name) who was tipped out after a moderate debut in August. November trial was a ripper.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No.1: BAK DA MAN

Son of Reliable Man who ought to relish the opportunity to get out to 1850m here at the home track.

VALUE BET

Race 1 No.5: ALWAYS PRAYING

Sebring filly who looks like she will win her share of races this summer off her two trials are anything to go by. Has talent.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1,13

Race 5: 5

Race 6: 1,2,5,14

Race 7: 3,5,8,13,16

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Mitchell Bell should give the TAB Jockeys Challenge a shake if all his rides turn up on the day

DUBBO

BEST BET

Race 4 No.1: SMOOTH ESPRIT

Placed at two of his six runs for Walgett owner/trainer Richard Jackson. Big run in a good maiden last start.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.4: SNIPER EXCELS

Consistent mare who was rewarded for same with that win at Warren last Friday. Got a kind draw again.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No.3: BILLABONG ISLE

Ran the others off their collective legs when she clocked 57.49sec winning by three lengths here nine days ago.

MOREE

BEST BET

Race 3 No.8: VISTA GIRL

Remains winless after 22 starts but she is invariably pretty close to the action most times. Gets her chance now.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.1: DANSPUR

Closing in on 50 starts but showing plenty of zest as the saying goes. Sure to run well again.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No.9: LOVE SICK

Got as big a finish as anything racing at Moree, the scene of both career wins by the way.

Originally published as Randwick tips: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s best bets and analysis