Scone and Doomben tips: The Last Say with Ray Thomas

SATURDAY racing comes to you from Randwick and Eagle Farm. Here’s all the last minute tips and info from Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.

Ray Thomas

5 min read

June 11, 2016 - 11:03AM

Vassal (SR7) is Ray’s best bet for the Randwick meeting. Picture: Mark Evans

SATURDAY racing comes to you from Randwick and Eagle Farm. Here’s all the last minute tips and info from Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.

ROYAL RANDWICK

Weather: Cool, sunny day with a forecast top temperature of 19c.

Track: Heavy (8)

Rail: 6m out

EAGLE FARM

Weather: Mild, partly cloudy day with a forecast top temperature of 24c.

Track: Good (4)

Rail: 3m out

BE WARY: Randwick is still in the heavy range after being deluged during last weekend’s record rains. The track is drying out slowly but it is a bit of a guessing game where the best section of the home straight will be, particularly with the rail 6m out. I suspect it will still be preferable to get out wider in the straight. Eagle Farm’s long-awaited return was delayed last week after the Oaks meeting was washed out. Remarkably, the track has dried out so well this week it needed to be watered. Stradbroke Day will be run on “virgin” turf with the rail 3m out. Punters should take careful note of the few couple of races at Eagle Farm to determine track bias.

ROYAL RANDWICK

THE BEST BET: Vassal (race 7) has won his last three starts over 2000m including his most recent effort at Randwick when he ran down Zatopaz. He has attacked the line impressively in those wins and looks a stayer of some potential. He has had more than three weeks since his Randwick win but was kept up to the mark by trainer Chris Waller with a soft barrier trial last week. Untested on heavy tracks but is very fit and although up in grade today, this isn’t an overly strong race. Vassal has 58kg — down from 59.5kg he shouldered last start — and can keep his winning momentum going today.

THE NEXT BEST: Star Crossed (race 1) scored on debut at Scone back in December, beating a smart youngster in Barbass and All Aflutter, Star Crossed hasn’t raced since but has been tuned up for today’s race with two brilliant trials wins. He looked good scoring by nearly four lengths at the Beaumont trials on May 16 but that was nothing compared to his stunning display of sustained speed to win a Gosford trial by more than 15 lengths on May 27. It doesn’t matter where they are racing or trialling, when they win by such a massive margin it is worth taking note. Star Crossed’s time was faster than the heat won easily by Conchita at the Gosford trial session.

VALUE BET: Electric Power (race 2) has been struggling to find form this preparation and it is no surprise bookies are betting $11 about the mare. However, she is a good mare on her day particularly on rain-affected going. Her recent failures have been on firm surfaces but the heavy track conditions suit her today and she is dropping back in grade. At $11, she is over the odds.

THE WHISPER: Kuro (race 8) ran well for third in the Hawkesbury Rush in track record time behind Furnaces but then looked to have every chance when only sixth to Kaerpernick in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Given a month between runs but looked sharp winning a Warwick Farm barrier trial on May 30, He hasn’t won for over a year but he appears ready to do something today. Drawn nicely in gate two, he handles heavy tracks, the 1100m trip is ideal, and he is well weighted just 2kg over the limit.

EAGLE FARM

THE BEST BET: Ghisoni (race 3) came across from a wide barrier, settled outside the leader and dominated her rivals to win the Glenlogan Park Stud Stakes emphatically last start, She has drawn even wider today but don’t let that deter you — this is a high class filly, very strong and with brilliant tactical speed. If anything, she is even better suited on the big Eagle Farm track. If Godolphin decided to run her in the Stradbroke I feel she would have won that, too. Back Ghisoni with confidence.

NEXT BEST: Falkenberg (race 10) has had no luck in both Queensland runs including her last start seventh in the Doomben Roses behind Kebede. She blew the start that day, settled back in the field and continually ran into trouble before going to the line without really being tested. Talented filly who has drawn nicely in barrier three for the Oaks today. If she jumps and settles in the front half of the field then she will be the one to beat.

THE WHISPER: Sir John Hawkwood (race 6) was bailed up behind runners for most of the straight and looked desperately unlucky when second to Real Love in the JRA Cup at Doomben last start. Quality stayer who has had an unconventional Brisbane Cup preparation but this horse doesn’t need a lot of racing to maintain fitness. Cruised home behind the brilliant Malaguerra in a Gold Coast trial two weeks ago. He is right at his peak for todays race.

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROYAL RANDWICK

In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds reports good money for Conchita $5-$4.20 after bets of $200 at $5, $1,000 at $4.80, $400 at $4.80, $250 at $4.60, $500 at $4.40, Star Crossed $7-$6- $7.50-$7 after a $1,000 wager at $7.50, $250 at $7, $250 at $6.

Race 2, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 3, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 4, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 5, Dark Eyes $11-$12-$15 with a $500 wager at $11, $470 at $9.50.

Race 6, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 7, Tucanchoo $6-$5 with a $1,100 wager at $6.

Race 8, Oxford Poet $11-$6.50 with bets of $300 at $11, $300 at $9.50, $300 at $6.50.

Race 9, All Summer Long $9-$7 with bets of $250 e/w at $9/$3, $300 at $9, $500 e/w at $8/$2.75.

EAGLE FARM

In race 1, TAB Fixed Odds reports Chipanda $4 unchanged after bets of $1,500 at $4, $300 e/w at $4/$1.68, My Country $12-$7.50 with bets of $3,000 at $10, $3,000 at $8.50.

Race 2, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 3, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 4, Tsaritsa $3.60-$3.30-$3 with bets of $1,200 at $3.60, $450 at $3.60, $300 at $3.60, $900 at $3, $400 at $3, $300 e/w at $3/$1.50.

Race 5, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 6, Sir John Hawkwood $6 unchanged after a $1,000 bet at $6.

Race 7, Souchez $4.20-$4.80, Sacred Elixir $4.20-$4.40 with bets of $5,000 at $4.20, $2,000 at $4.40, $1,000 at $4.40, Candika $8 unchanged after a $500 e/w wager at $8/$2.75.

Race 8, Howard Be Thy Name $4.40-$4.20.

Race 9, Azkadellia $4.20-$4-$3.40 with bets of $5,000 at $4, $4,000 at $4.20, $2,000 at $4, $10,000 at $3.80, $2,000 at $3.50, Kaepernick $13-$11-$12, Counterattack $7-$7.50, Delectation $13-$15-$19, Music Magnate $9-$9.50, Malaguerra $9-$9.50

Race 10, no bets or market movements of note.

FLEMINGTON

Race 1, Millinery $6-$4.40 with a $1,800 wager at $6, $200 at $5, Southerly Wind $10-$5.50 with bets of $530 at $10, $400 at $10, $500/ $200 at $8/$2.75.

Race 2, Payroll $9-$7 with bets of $500 at $9, $300 at $7.

Race 3, Tyrannize $9-$6 with wagers of $5,600 at $9, $300 at $7, Runson $7-$4.60 with bets of $650 at $7, $600 at $7, $400 at $7, $1,000 at $4.60, Wall Street Wolf $12-$4.60 with bets of $200 e/w at $12/$3.75, $200 e/w at $11/$3.50, $200 at $11 multiple times, $700 e/w at $7/$2.50, $1,000 at $4.80, $400 at $4.60, $500 at $4.20, $1,000 at $4.20.

Race 4, Amarela $7.50-$5 with bets of $200 at $7, $700 at $6, $500 at $5.

Race 5, Second Bullet $4.20-$3.50 after bets of $400 at $3.80, $500 at $3.60.

Race 6, Whoop Whoop $5-$4.40 with bets of $300 at $4.60, $200 at $4.60.

Race 7, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 8, no bets or market movements of note.

Race 9, no bets or market movements of note.

INTERSTATE

Flemington race 2: Euro Angel

Flemington race 5: Second Bullet

Flemington race 6: Kilmacurragh

Morphettville race 3: Angelology

Morphettville race 4: Barjeel