The Final Word with Ray and Duff

THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy dissect the major races at Randwick on Saturday.

THE Daily Telegraph’s racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy discuss the chances on the final day of the Sydney autumn carnival at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

RACE 3: J.H.B. CARR STAKES (1400m)

Thomas: A good field of fillies and a very open race. I didn’t mind Press Report each way. She was game in the T.J. Smith Stakes against the top sprinters last week and is back to her own age and sex. Slightly Sweet didn’t stay the 2000m last start but has had three weeks between runs to freshen up for this race. She is a classy filly who handles all types of track conditions. Peeping is an extremely consistent filly but the 1400m on a potentially wet track might be a stretch. Matilija is a big improver.

Dufficy: This is a good race. I like Tahni Dancer at odds. She caught my eye running on well in the P.J. Bell Stakes, the extra distance suits, and she is third-up ready to peak. I’m happy to have something on her at $15. Matilija was five weeks between runs before her last start and that will toughen her up for this race. I feel this is the race Lee Freedman has set Matilija for in Sydney. I agree with you about Press Report. She was outclassed last start but still tried hard and she was really good beating the older horses at Warwick Farm before that. Nancy is another filly on the rise, while Peeping is a query at 1400m and her odds.

RACE 4: CHAMPAGNE STAKES (1600m)

FIELD/BETTING: BOWMAN SWEET ON PASADENA GIRL

Thomas: Odyssey Moon looks the obvious selection here as he has been racing in all the big juvenile races and been very competitive. He made a really good colt in Pride Of Dubai work hard to beat him in the Sires. But he has had a lot of racing which just puts a little doubt in my mind. Takedown just keeps winning and he was strong at the end of 1400m at Rosehill last start. I just feel, at the odds, he is the better gamble. Pasadena Girl finished fast in the Sires to run fourth and might have been a touch unlucky. She is small but gives the impression she will stay a strong mile. Mine Two is the potential knockout horse. She hasn’t had much luck at her last two starts and I’m going to have a saver on her at $17.

Takedown will be chasing his fourth straight win on Saturday.

Dufficy: I like Pasadena Girl. She was very good in the Sires and was far from disgraced running on well for fourth. The Sires is the right form race and she has a stout pedigree that will help her run a mile. Wet or dry, she should be able to handle it. I’ve got her on top from Street Rapper. I think Street Rapper is crying out for 1600m at Randwick. If this was a good track, I would be all over Takedown. He is a big, strong, laid-back horse and his form is impossible to fault. I have no knock on Odyssey Moon but he is short enough.

Thomas: Ronnie, both of us haven’t mentioned the Godolphin two-year-old Tarquin.

Dufficy: Good point. He comes out of the right race where he got caught wide and had to make an early move in the Sires. He boxed on well and it was quite a good run.

RACE 6: ALL AGED STAKES (1400m)

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Thomas: I can’t believe this race is worth only $400,000 — invariably it is one of the best races of the autumn carnival every year and Saturday is no different.

Dufficy: I agree Ray, this is a fantastic race with unbelievable depth. It deserves to be worth a lot more prizemoney.

Thomas: Chautauqua’s win in the T.J. Smith Stakes was one of the best sprinting efforts I’ve seen in a long time. He got into an awkward position back second last on the rail at the 600m and he had to ease back around heels to get to the outside where he unleased what is just about the best finishing burst in Australian racing. There is a feeling the 1400m will suit him even better and he handles all types of track conditions. Terravista is the danger as he is drawn to get the right run on Saturday. The three-year-olds, Shooting To Win, Wandjina and Scissor Kick are right in the race — and I haven’t mentioned the likes of Dissident, Lucky Hussler, Rebel Dane and Laser Hawk.

Chautauqua produced a stunning turn of foot in the wet to win the T.J. Smith Stakes.

Dufficy: We are just starting to realise how good Chautauqua is — it has taken us a while. It was an incredible performance to win on Easter Monday. I loved the way he really savaged the line. The 1400m suits him more than his opposition. I am worried about barrier one. He has been a problem barrier horse on occasions. I want him to have clear running because barrier one with a backmarker you always have your heart in your mouth. If he gets clear running at the top of the straight it is all over. Terravista maps a lot better this week. He gets the cosy run and has won at his only try at 1400m. Shooting To Win comes out of the best form race all autumn, the George Ryder, where he ran fifth. The first four placegetters out of the Ryder have all won or been placed at Group 1 level at their next start. I agree Wandjina and Scissor Kick are big chances, too.

RACE 7: HALL MARK STAKES (1200m)

Thomas: This is challenging the All Aged for race of the day. It is a terrific field of sprinters with some very talented horses including Our Boy Malachi, Vashka and Craftiness on long winning streaks; Big Money has a super strike-rate, Rock Sturdy, Fast ‘N’ Rocking, Charlie Boy and Target In Sight.

Dufficy: It is like a mini-Stradbroke, actually it is probably a better race than the Stradbroke. This will be a great spectacle.

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Thomas: Our Boy Malachi is dynamic first-up and he has an extraordinary record of 16 wins from 18 starts, which shows he is a special talent. His recent trial win was typically dominant and he is the horse to beat. Vashka won five in succession over summer and resumes on Saturday. He has drawn well and races on-speed but he doesn’t want a wet track. I have a lot of time for Big Money. He goes very well fresh and went to a new level last preparation. Craftiness won first-up at Doomben on sheer class alone as he struggled in the wet. He has the fitness edge here.

Our Boy Malachi has won 16 of his 18 starts. Picture: Simon Bullard

Dufficy: This is a race and a half. I’m with Our Boy Malachi as well. He has trialled brilliantly and is having his second preparation for Team Hawkes which is a positive. He looks bombproof and I have him on top but there is value around the top three — Rock Sturdy, Charlie Boy and Big Money. Rock Sturdy has had three trials and will perform well with Hugh Bowman on, Charlie Boy has shaped well in a couple of trials, and Big Money will be charging home. Our Boy Malachi is my top selection with the value in Rock Sturdy, Charlie Boy and Big Money.

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DUFF’S BEST BETS

Race 1, No. 6: Private Secretary

Race 4, No. 8: Pasadena Girl

VALUE BET

Race 3, No. 6: Tahni Dancer

Originally published as The Final Word with Ray and Duff