The Final Word with Ray and Duff

THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss the chances at Hawkesbury and Morphettville on Saturday.

Doomben Races .Race 4 winner Craftiness .Jockey Timothy Bell . Pic Annette Dew

THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss the chances at Hawkesbury and Morphettville on Saturday.

HAWKESBURY

RACE 2: CLARET STAKES (1300m)

Thomas: This race has a habit of producing good horses and there are some promising types in this field. Counterattack was good first-up and Salt Flat has a bit of a boom on him but interestingly he hasn’t had a barrier trial.

Dufficy: The big question with Salt Flat is has he had any trials at home at Agnes Banks? He is obviously talented as he started favourite on debut. The stable uses this race to prepare its Brisbane two-year-olds and perhaps it is Salt Flat. I’m a big fan of Serene Majesty. At her first start she dropped the bit at the 600m and was going to run last but she rallied late and would have won in another stride. I love the gear change with the blinkers going on and I’m prepared to go her way. I agree Counterattack did a good job winning first-up and is ready to go on with the job. I’m Serene Majesty from Counterattack.

Thomas: I was going to ask your opinion of two unraced fillies who I thought have trialled really well, particularly Destination Tucson and Allision. I like the look of Destination Tucson, she powers to the line.

Dufficy:Destination Tucson has got no early speed, she is by High Chaparral and should not really be here as a two-year-old, she has Oaks written all over her already. She adds interest to what is an intriguing race. I’m Serene Majesty from Counterattack, Destination Tucson and Salt Flat.

STABLE WATCH: HAWKESBURY

NEWS: FOND MEMORIES CONTINUE TO DRIVE O’HARA

Kathy O’Hara has a good book of rides at Hawkesbury on Saturday. Picture: Brett Costello

RACE 4: XXXX GOLD HAWKESBURY RUSH (1100m)

Thomas: I can’t go past Craftiness, Ronnie. He has had two really good runs back from a spell and is very fit. I conceded he struggled in the wet conditions at Doomben first-up but he was much better in the soft conditions when chasing home the outstanding Our Boy Malachi in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick. He is the one to beat, despite the query about him on a heavy track. His stablemate, Diamond Oasis is the big danger. Diamond Oasis is very fit, racing well, and revels in the wet. Hot Snitzel and Dothraki are class sprinters and old Zaratone is trialling well.

Dufficy: This is a no bet race for me. On a dry track, Craftiness picks himself, but he is a dry track price at $2.30. Slow tracks and heavy tracks are a completely different ball game and I was worried about him in Brisbane where he scrambled to get home. I concede he was much better at Randwick and if he produces that performance he wins here. Like you, Ray, I also think Diamond Oasis is better suited on the wet track. Dothraki is the best of the race.

RACE 5: DARLEY CROWN (1300m)

Thomas: I don’t want to put the mock on your mare, Ronnie, but I thought Fine Bubbles was outstanding running third to Avoid Lightning at Randwick during the carnival. Avoid Lightning is a top mare and will just about win the Group 1 in Adelaide on Saturday so the form is very good around Fine Bubbles. She handles the soft but I might defer to you about her ability on a heavy track. Of the others, Peron was just behind Fine Bubbles at Randwick after having no luck in running and My Sabeel is an absolute swimmer.

Fine Bubbles has good form around Avoid Lightning. Picture: Darren England

Dufficy: Fine Bubbles has had two heavy track runs and they have been awful. It is a really big concern for me if this track is heavy. I feel she is better placed at Scone under the handicap conditions. I think Solicit can bounce back here. She is a quality mare and at her only start on a heavy track she ran second in the Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000m, and she is not a 2000m horse. Peron has been unlucky in each of her three runs back and is ready to win although I have a little doubt about her on a heavy track. My Sabeel is a real mudlark and is in the mix. On a dry track, Rose Of Choice was a certainty, she is trialling the house down, but there is no evidence about her on a heavy track. Belle De Coeur is another good chance.

RACE 6: HAWKESBURY GOLD CUP (1600m)

Thomas: Ecuador was very good first-up at Randwick after a year, I thought he was home but was grabbed right on the line by Rugged Cross. After a year off from racing, it was a super return and he will be well suited going to 1600m here. Of course, a slight concern with the second-up syndrome after such a long break from racing but he was tuned up for his comeback and I’m happy to stick with him. In a race of many chances, Medcaut, Strawberry Boy, San Diego and Rugged Cross all look hard to beat. Ronnie, there is also a push for the German horse, Flamingo Star, too.

Dufficy: I’ve loved Flamingo Star’s trials and at his second start as a two-year-old he beat Protectionist and Big Memory. There has already been good backing for him and he is $35 to $18 so a big watch on Flamingo Star at his first Australian start. I’m leaning to Rugged Cross, third-up, as he is such a great wet-tracker, he’s in-form and gets in on the limit. Ecuador was great first-up after a year-off, the blinkers go back on, and he has good second-up form. San Diego is racing well and I could switch and put Lucky Lago on top. She has really caught the eye with two luckless runs and she is a mudlark.

Ecuador, left, and Rugged Cross will clash again on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans

RACE 7: HAWKESBURY GUINEAS (1400m)

Thomas: Rekindled Power ran a blinder first-up when charging home late behind Delectation at Randwick. It was a heavy track that day and he stretched out generously late. He is the horse to beat from Federal, who is racing well. Proactive’s trials have been good and the fillies, Ygritte, Anyaas and Najoom are chances, too.

Dufficy: I’m a big Rekindled Power fan. I backed him first-up, he has the strongest form coming into the Hawkesbury Guineas, he has upside and can only improve. The only concern I have is the speed in the race. I’m hoping he can hold a more forward position. Federal is a fit horse and in great form, I’m keeping an eye on Bachman who won on a heavy track at Rosehill earlier in his career. Proactive is a horse with a huge wrap on him but it is a big ask to win first-up in a race of this depth.

MORPHETTVILLE

RACE 5: AUSTRALASIAN OAKS (2000m)

Thomas: Fontein Ruby — she is a tough, quality filly who races up on the speed, makes her own luck, and is all class. Fenway is coming off a Group 1 win at Rosehill a month ago but has had a setback between runs and how good is the Perth filly Delicacy? She has won everything over there including the WA Oaks-Derby double.

Dufficy: Good race. I think it is a Robert Smerdon quinella with value runner Ungrateful Ellen to beat Fontein Ruby. I admit I’m not sure if Ungrateful Ellen is good enough but she has a big finish and has been set for this race. At the odds, she is my selection over Fontein Ruby who is a terrific filly but leaders are finding it hard to win at Morphettville. I’m not going to knock Delicacy as she has won four straight in all the big three-year-old races, that is pretty special form.

RACE 7: WILLIAM HILL CLASSIC (1200m)

Thomas: Miracles Of Life is absolutely flying, she is well suited by the conditions of this race, she’s drawn well, and this is her old home track. I’ve got her on top from Avoid Lightning who will find it tough from her wide barrier. Vain Queen and Gregers the best of the rest.

Dufficy: I’m in Vain Queen’s corner. She has raced well at her last two runs at Group 1 level and this might be her chance. Miracles Of Life is at the top of her game and her two Sydney runs have been excellent, Wawail and Sabatini will run well.

NEWS: CLARKEN STILL ENJOYING LIFE AFTER MIRACLES

DUFF’S BEST

Hawkesbury

Race 7, No.3: Rekindled Power

NEXT BEST

Hawkesbury

Race 1, No.12: Impulsive Spirit

BEST VALUE

Morphettville

Race 5, No.9: Ungrateful Ellen

Originally published as The Final Word with Ray and Duff