Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Mike Fraser

The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Sports Radio’s form guru Mike Fraser discuss the main chances at Randwick on Saturday.

Sydney Racing

THE inside section of the home straight will be no-go zone, the best going will be about six horses off the fence — and Astronomos wins again.

This is how Sky Sports Radio’s form guru Mike Fraser summed up how he expects the Royal Randwick track surface to play on Saturday while nominating promising young stayer Astronomos as one of the better bets on the program.

“With the rail in the normal position and the expectation it will be a heavy track, the best spot will be six-to-eight horses off the fence,’’ Fraser said. “You will need to be away from the inside rail in the run home.

“Those that get in the right spot early will be hard to run down. The problem backmarkers may face is they may have to make their runs on a section of the track out wide which was cut up a fair bit when we last raced at Randwick (June 20).’’

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

RACING CONFIDENTIAL: BOWMAN, SHINN HAVE NO TIME TO LOSE

Fraser and The Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas discuss the chances of the final six races at Royal Randwick on Saturday, with both agreeing Astronomos will prove hard to beat.

RACE 3: TAB PLACE MULTI HCP (1600m)

Thomas: Mardi has good tactical speed and should be able to put herself in the right position to find the better going but I am worried about the 61kg second-up on a testing Randwick 1600m. We have seen it right through winter where fit horses with proven wet-track ability are getting the job done. With this in mind, I like Berrimilla. She will handle the track conditions, she is very fit and racing well.

Fraser: I have a slight concern about Berrimilla at a mile. I’m leaning to Noela’s Choice. She is a very consistent horse, rock-hard fit, Peter Moody’s horses travel well, I’ve got her mapping to get the right run and she is very good on wet tracks. Miss Hufflepuff is fitter now and I like the fact she is coming down in grade but up in distance and carrying the same weight. Berrimilla is an obvious chance and Mardi has a big weight and might just need another run.

Berrimilla is very fit and will handle the wet conditions.

RACE 4: RUBEN GUTHRIE HCP (2000m)

Thomas: Got You Double has returned a better horse this campaign. His wins at Bendigo and Flemington were impressive then he had no luck at Flemington last start when he was held up for a run at the 400m. The 2000m will suit him and he should be hard to beat. Drum Roll is another young stayer on the rise. I liked the way he put paid to his rivals at Goulburn last start. Kiseki Dane’s form is faultless and Skyline Blush is another racing well.

Fraser: I have gone with Kiseki Dane again. This horse has struck a purple patch of form and the key factors are the wet tracks and extra distance. As soon as he has gone up in trip, he keeps winning. With Koby Jennings’ claim he is well weighted again. Got You Double’s racing pattern suggests the 2000m won’t be an issue but he won’t want to get too far back. Skyline Blush is racing very well but 2000m might test him.

RACE 5: ALL TOO HARD AT VINERY HCP (1100m)

Thomas: A field of promising young sprinters. I’m going wide here with Way We Go. I know this is a big jump in grade and he did a lot wrong winning on debut at Warwick Farm but he was dominant that day, sailing through very heavy track conditions. The minor placegetters out of that race have since won to frank the form. I think he is a good lightweight chance at each-way odds. Momma’s Snitzel is back to her right trip at 1100m. The topweights Inz‘n’Out and Felines are going to be very hard to beat.

STABLE TALK: LEES MAKES TRIPLE PLAY FOR MORE WINNERS

FEATURE: LAURI’S LITTLE WRAY OF SUNSHINE

Fraser: I agree, Ray, this is a very strong three-year-old race. I’ve gone for another Victorian raider in Reigning Meteor. At his last two starts at Flemington in strong races, he has been off the speed before hitting the line strongly. He obviously has to get around the Sydney way but he does have a distinct liking for wet tracks and I’m going to have a throw at the stumps with him. Inz‘n’Out has been gelded since he was last in work, he has very good wet-track form, he’s trialled nicely and goes well fresh. However, he won’t get a lot of peace up front with so much speed in the race. Dupe ’Em will appreciate the hot speed and will be finishing fast.

RACE 6: MICK KERR MEMORIAL HCP (1300m)

Thomas: Queen Of Kariba — can she do it again? She has won her last three in brilliant style and she is a mare in the zone. Her get-back style of racing is a concern given what you said earlier, Mike, but she gets in so well with Winona Costin’s claim and I think she can win again. Happy Clapper is a very talented galloper but I’m not sure about him first-up on a heavy track. We have seen good horses beaten first-up on these wet tracks in recent weeks. Kristy Lee is going really well and is close to a win. Idance is going to get the gun run and handles wet tracks.

Winona Costin has found a winning partnership with Queen Of Kariba. Picture: Simon Bullard

Fraser: She is a talent, Queen Of Kariba but I am going for value with Foreign Prince. He was good first-up behind Two Blue, he progresses well second-up and maps beautifully here. I can see Foreign Prince settling outside the leader and proving very hard to beat. Happy Clapper was brilliant in his trial and I’m certainly expecting a big showing in his trial. No knock on Queen Of Kariba but she has never run a place at Randwick or won further than 1250m.

RACE 7: TAB.COM.AU HCP (2000m)

Thomas: I’m a huge fan of Astronomos. He has gone up as favourite and I feel deservedly so. This horse is a talent and I think we will be hearing a lot more about him in the spring. I feel it is indicative of his ability that he has won four out of six and only on Saturday gets to his right distance range. He goes to 2000m for the first time and I think he will keep winning. Frank Who comes out of provincial grade where he has won his last two very impressively. Ghost Protocol is a big improver.

Fraser: You have said it all, Ray. I totally agree, I’m very keen on Astronomos. Both his runs this preparation have been good particularly his Warwick Farm effort where the tempo suited on-pacers but he produced very good sectionals to round them up. At his only run at 1900m he absolutely bolted in at Rosehill. From barrier one I think he can settle in the front half of the field, he gets through the ground and has the right credentials to race very well. It’s About You started favourite at Rosehill, his first Sydney run, and acquitted himself quite well. He drops massively in the weights here and I feel he has more to offer. Lucky Liaison is the other chance at good odds.

RACE 8: BLEDISLOE CUP FESTIVAL HCP (1000m)

Thomas: They are going to absolutely fly up front in this race and if he handles the track conditions — and that is a big if — then I can envisage Darciwood flashing down the outside to win. His trial was just outstanding, he goes very well fresh, and has the talent to win this — but he is at rock bottom odds given he has never been tested on a heavy track. Aroused and Cosmic Cameo ran the quinella here last start and are wet-track specialists. Allez Chival just keeps winning, she is four out of five, revels in the conditions and has drawn the perfect gate.

Fraser: Toughest race of the day and the fastest run, too. I’m also looking for backmarkers as they might overcook it up front. I like one at odds here in Capitano. He ran a very good race first-up at a big price at Warwick Farm, finishing well for second. He has had 38 days off, is coming back to 1000m where he excels and his soft track form is good. Fell Swoop is a very nice horse and although there is a slight question mark about him on a wet track, I respect his chances. Wonderbolt’s two recent runs have been good but I feel he is well suited here coming back to 1000m off a hot speed.

THE EARLY OIL: FLEMINGTON PREVIEW

Originally published as Saturday Best with Ray Thomas and Mike Fraser