Last say: Cosmic Endeavour ready to step up and salute for punters at Randwick

RAY Thomas gives you his Royal Randwick and Bendigo best bets, late mail, money trail and punter warnings in his must-read preview.

Ray Thomas

6 min read

March 15, 2014 - 9:23AM

DailyTelegraph

Cosmic Endeavour is the best bet of the day, according to Ray Thomas. Picture: Simon Bull

ROYAL RANDWICK

Weather: Warm, partly cloudy day with isolated showers from early in the afternoon and a forecast top temperature of 29c.

Track: Dead (5)

Rail: True

BENDIGO

Weather: Warm day with the chance of a late shower and a forecast top temperature of 30c.

Track: Dead (4)

Rail: True

BE WARY

Royal Randwick’s track is improving and back into the dead range this morning. There is a suspicion the going closer to the inside rail is inferior. Bendigo’s track surface is perfect and the long 400m straight give all runners their chance.

ROYAL RANDWICK

THE BEST BET: Cosmic Endeavour (race 9) gave a brilliant display of sustained speed to easily defeat Diamond Oasis, Flight Academy and Maysoon over 1100m at Rosehill two weeks ago.

She was first-up from a spell but revelled in the rain-affected conditions, forging to the front on the turn and clearing out to win by more than two lengths.

Cosmic Endeavour has to step up to stakes grade today but the three horses she defeated last start loom as her main rivals again. Still on the limit weight, Cosmic Endeavour will only be fitter for that Rosehill win, she has a track surface to suit and I expect she can make go back-to-back today.

A Time For Julia has impressive form, winning first-up before strong second to Red Tracer.

THE NEXT BEST: A Time For Julia (race 6) scored first-up in Group 3 level at Caulfield then ran a blinder when second to the outstanding mare Red Tracer in the Millie Fox Stakes last start.

She tried very hard chasing arguably the best-performed mare in training and never shirked her task.

At her peak after two runs from a spell and she has the gate speed to overcome an awkward barrier. Suited by the dead track conditions, this is her preferred race distance, and she is weighted on the limit despite her impressive record. Talented mare placed to advantage today.

VALUE BET: Savvy Nature (race 7) is one of many chances in a very open Royal Randwick Guineas — but I really like his chances today.

He resumed with a very good third to Dissident in the Hobartville Stakes, closing late after being momentarily held up in the straight.

He is fitter now and goes to 1600m second-up where he was dynamic last spring winning the Newcastle Spring Stakes at today’s distance.

The dead track conditions won’t bother him and with the likelihood of this Guineas being run at a genuine tempo which gives him the chance to finish his race off strongly. I’m really keen on him at around the $10 mark.

THE WHISPER: Gold Force (race 1) was super impressive on debut, leading throughout and scoring untroubled by nearly three lengths in the Inglis Premier Classic at Mornington last month. He has been given a month between runs and sent to Sydney where the reports are he is working brilliantly at Rosehill.

A well-bred youngster who was very professional on debut. Team Hawkes is having a super run, particularly with their two-year-olds, and Gold Force is ready to maintain the stable’s winning momentum.

Moonee Valley Races, Cox Plate Day, 26th October, Melbourne. Race 5, Mitchelton Wine Vase, Group 2 over 2040 meters. Winner No 1 Savvy Nature ridden by James McDonald. Pic by GEORGE SALPIGTIDIS

BENDIGO

THE BEST BET: Rich Jack (race 1) is only lightly raced, winning two of his first three starts before a last-start fourth to Vibrante Rouge at Moonee Valley before he was spelled. Showed a lot of natural talent in his debut race preparation, good gate speed, settles on the pace and finds plenty under pressure.

He has been tuned up for his return with two very easy barrier trial wins at Cranbourne in recent weeks. This isn’t a strong field, he should lead and looks very hard to catch.

NEXT BEST: Tigerland (race 7) is building up an outstanding race record with six wins (two placings) from nine starts.

He was good first-up when closing late for third to Mandla at Flemington then he overcame a slow start to win the Wangaratta Cup albeit narrowly from Daybreak.

He should strip at his peak after two runs from a spell, drawn ideally in barrier one so he should get the gun run, and he can win again.

Rich Jack looks to have found a nice race to score a victory in at Bendigo today. Picture: Jay Town

VALUE BET: Sabkhat (race 8) is at huge odds for the Bendigo Guineas but this three-year-old can run a huge race.

He was solid second-up when closing late for second at Mornington then caught the eye when he came from well back on the turn with a strong finishing effort for fourth to Mista Spot at Sandown.

He gets out to 1600m today, which will really suit him, as will the Bendigo’s track’s long straight. There will be a good genuine tempo in this race which will allow Sabkhat to settle back in the field and finishing powerfully. Terrific value at around $21.

THE WHISPER: Signoff (race 5) is an Irish-bred stayer who a lot of promise. He has only had five stars, all in Australia for four wins.

His recent effort including a tough win at Morphettville over 2014m before an impressive effort when he powered home from midfield on the turn to thrash his rivals by a widening margin of more than two length from Settlers Way at Moonee Valley.

He has had nearly a month between runs but was tuned up for this race with an easy Terang barrier trial. From the very much in-form Darren Weir stable and this is a stayer going places.

$20 million colt Zoustar is $2.90 to $2.75 with the TAB for the Canterbury Stakes. Picture: Mark Evans

THE BIG MONEY

ROYAL RANDWICK

In race 1, there has been a good move on TAB Fixed Odds for Gold Force who has firmed from $4.60 to $3.90 after bets of $1000 at $4.60 and $1000 twice at $4.20,

Race 2, Press Report is $8.50 to $6 after bets of $500 at $8, $750 at $6.50 and $600 at $6, Stratirical is $21 to $14 after bet of $300 at $21 and $150 at $17, Miss Interiors is $101 to $51 after a $100 bet at $101.

Race 3, Junoob has firmed from $2.50 to $2.30 after bets of $3200 and $800 at $2.50.

Race 4, Forever Loved is $530 at $4.20 and $500 at $4, Lucky Lago is $7 to $4.80 after bets of $360 at $7, $500 at $6, $600 and $500 each way at $5.50, Express Power is $8 to $7 after bets of $300 and $290 at $8 and $400 at $7.50, Mahara is $11 to $10 after a $400 wager at $11, Diamond Drille is $15 to $11 after bets of $1000 and $220 at $15 and $500 at $13.

Race 5, Buffering is $3 to $2.90 after bets of $3000, $900 and $500 at $3.

Punters have come in to support Not Listenin'tome in a tough Canterbury Stakes field.

Race 6. A Time For Julia is $5 to $3.70 after bets of $500 at $5, $2000 at $4.80 and $600 at $3.70, Lillibulero is $5 to $4.40 after bets of $1000 at $5, $700 and $500 at $4.60, Emmalene is $16 to $14 after bets of $400 and $200 at $16, and $300 each way at $14.

Race 7, Atlante is $8 to $6.50 after bets of $1000 at $8 and $500 place at $2.75, and $1450 at $6.50, El Roca is $4 to $3.80 after bets of $3,200 at $4 and $500 at $3.80, Eurozone is $8 to $7.50 after bets of $1000 and $750 at $8, Dissident is $9 to $8.50 after bets of $210 at $9 and $500 at $8.50, Koroibete is $35 to $26 after bets of $1000 and $200 each way at $35.

Race 8, Zoustar is $2.90 to $2.75 after bets of $550 at $2.90, $1200 at $2.80, $625 and $600 at $2.75, $2300 and $600 at $2.70, Not Listenin’tome is firm at $4 after a $2000 bet at those odds, Red Tracer is $4.80 to $4.60 after bets of $800 at $4.80 and $1000 at $4.60, Appearance is $6.50 to $5.50 with bets of $1900 at $6.50, $1000 and $500 at $5.50. Race 9, Cosmic Endeavour is $4.40 to $3.60 after bets of $500 and $300 at $4.40, $1000 at $4.20, $1000 at $4 and $750 at $3.80.

Impressive mare Appearance will be at enticing odds in the Canterbury Stakes.

BENDIGO

Race 1, Tried And Tired is $8 to $6 after bets of $400 at $8, $2000, $750 and $300 at $6, Chosen Moment is $26 to $15 after bets of $200 at $26, $400 at $21, $300 at $17 and $300 at $15.

Race 2, Hosting is $7 to $6 after bets of $1250 at $7 and $500 at $6, Pin Your Hopes is $10 to $9 after a bet of $1000 at $10.

Race 3, Menage A Charge is $7 to $5.50 after bets of $500 at $7, $400 each way at $6.50 and $500 each way at $5.50, Tankster is $8 to $7.50 after bets of $500 and $300 at $8 and $620 at $7, Springalon is $15 to $10 after bets of $250 each way, $250 and $200 at $15, $400 at $13 and $500 at $10.

Race 4, Cathy’s Mark is $21 to $7.50 after bets of $200 at $21 and $200 at $13.

Race 5, Signoff is $2.50 to $2.40 after bets of $1600 and $500 at $2.40.

Race 6, Spirit Song is $5 to $4.80 after a bet of $1000 at $5, Hazard is $5 to $4.60 after a bet of $1000 at $5.

Race 7, Mourinho is $21 to $11 after bets of $400 at $13, $200 each way and $150 each way at $11.

Race 8, Trust In A Gust is firm at $3 after best of $500 and $400 twice at $3, Consorting is $6 to $5.50 after bets of $1300 at $6 and $500 at $5.50, The Bowler is $12 to $8.50 after bets of $250 at $12 and $800 at $10, Epic Saga is firm at $31 after a $250 each way at those odds.