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Shayne O’Cass’ tips, analysis for Concorde Stakes Day at Randwick on Saturday: Buckaroo saddles up for first Aussie win

Form student Shayne O’Cass analyses Saturday’s Concorde Stakes Day meeting at Royal Randwick, presenting his race-by-race tips.

Shayne O’Cass
4 min read
September 5, 2024 - 1:15PM
Hold All Tickets - Punters (Episode 2) 07-09-24

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Shayne O’Cass analyses Saturday’s Concorde Stakes Day meeting at Royal Randwick, presenting his race-by-race tips.

RACE 1: Midway (Bm72) (1400m)

Powers Of Opal (15) is the most inexperienced horse in the Midway and is unplaced in all three starts but she is, in my opinion, the one with the most upside and the one that could very easily end up in black-type races. She is your rolled-gold John Sargent classic filly in waiting. Nathan Doyle has three in the race, any of them could win with the right run. Hide Your Heart (7) won a Benchmark 72 at the midweeks then was creditable in a weekend 78 behind Hellavadancer, Nanshe and Sequestered.

Bet: Powers Of Opal to win

RACE 2: Precise Air (Bm78) (1100m)

Spring Lee (3) should have won first-up and had physical excuses the time after that. A fast run 1100m at Randwick (long straight) is right up alley. Not sure barrier 2 is the best draw for her but she will only have to run past seven and not 17 to win. Getting past Martini Mumma (5) could be a problem for Spring Lee if she spots her too much start. If the field size permits each-way betting it brings the $31/$5 shot Bindi’s Choice (8) into play, She’s a barnstormer.

Bet: Spring Lee to win, Bindi’s Choice each-way

RACE 3: Tab Highway Hcp (C3) (1200m)

Melody Again (4) can do a few things wrong but she is arguably a ‘better horse’ than anything up against her in this weekend’s TAB Highway. The fact is there is so much more depth to her form than the rest of these (bar Sharp Shock who is a dual acceptor). Not too worried about the wide draw, it might help her actually. Sonic Tycoon (12) is $51 the win and $14 the place which is inviting. Granted, his wins are at 1500m-1600m but he goes well fresh and his trial at Scone was outstanding.

Bet: Melody Again to win, Sonic Tycoon each-way, quinella 4, 12

RACE 4: Sydney City Lexus Ctc Cup (2400m)

Changingoftheguard (1) was $10 to $13 back into $12 in the Premiers’ Cup Prelude on August 10. That being his Australian debut and his first run (off one trial) since he was third in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes 12 months and 20 days after he ran fifth in the Epsom Derby. I thought it was a great run (at Randwick) and it seems James McDonald did too. Strathtay (6) deserves a crack in a race like this and while he is up in class, he is down in the weight - and flying.

Bet: Changingoftheguard to win

RACE 5: City Tattersalls Patrick Campion (Bm94) (1600m)

Almania (2) was terrific for Kris Lees and Australian Bloodstock last preparation with a Canberra Cup either side of placings in the Parramatta Cup (to More Felons) and the Manion (to Post Impressionist). He goes well enough fresh and I thought his trials were very encouraging indeed. Zeyrek (1) ran last in the Winx first-up but he was only beaten a diminishing four and a half lengths and - mathematically - he was as good as a fair few of them who finished in front of him.

Bet: Almania to win, exacta 2 to beat 1

RACE 6: Darley Furious Stakes (1200m)

Manaal (1) was beaten at $2.05 in the Silver Shadow but can’t have lost any admirers for the simple fact that was so close to winning and had three kilos more than the two that finished in front of her. For the record, one of those was Ameena (2) who fronts up for Round 2 on Saturday. Just regarding Manaal, I guess it might just come down to whether she wants 1400m now. Eager to see how Lazzura (8) and More Territories (7) have returned.

Bet: Manaal to win

RACE 7: Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes (1000m)

Giga Kick’s (1) record is so good that it deserves mention, even in passing, 11 starts for seven wins and three placings. Won The Everest, an All Aged and Doomben 10,000. What a horse. This is a mini Everest itself and sure, maybe Giga Kick is not quite as well suited at 1000m as some but I just think he is the best horse in the race and has trialled like ‘he’s back’. We all know this will be run fast and if something happened to ambush, it’s Private Eye (2). Almost ‘have to’ find a spot for Bella Nipotina (4).

Bet: Giga Kick to win, exacta 1 to beat 2

RACE 8: Daily Press Chelmsford Stakes (1600m)

Buckaroo (1) is the best bet on the card in my opinion. First off, even while he hasn’t yet won in Australia, you would be hard marker to knock any of his efforts down here and in some of the biggest races we have on the calendar. That said, if he can’t win this (not vintage) edition of the Chelmsford, he will find it hard to win anything better. Zardozi (10) was equally as good as Buckaroo when they ran in the Winx. Massive chance. Nonconformist (3) is a player and one more thing, I can’t, on principle alone, let Francesco Guardi (7) go around at $126.

Bet: Buckaroo to win, Francesco Guardi each-way

RACE 9: Ikon Tramway Stakes (1400m)

Molly Bloom (9) at $41 is an offer too good to refuse. This will be her first run for Chris Waller. The daughter of Ace High (and direct relative of the great Rough Habit) was a top shelf classic filly in NZ last season where she won the Guineas over there. It all comes down to how forward she is for this. Amelia’s Jewel (8) rates 112 for a reason but she has genuine competition for a horse who is $2.60. So much so that I thought $4.20 the place for stablemate My Oberon (2) was more enticing.

Bet: Molly Bloom each-way, My Oberon to place

RACE 10: Salix (Bm78) (1200m)

Althoff (14) is a stunning type loaded with ability. He won the Ken Russell at only start number two. Start three was his worst; a long way down the order he finished in Broadsiding’s Sires’ in Queensland. Loved the trials; this could be his time now. Just on pedigree; his fifth dam is Denise’s Joy. That never hurts. Does Emirate (18) run from that draw? Time will tell. Big on talent himself. I could see Sharp Shock (20) absolutely charge home here and onto the podium.

Bet: Althoff to win

Originally published as Shayne O’Cass’ tips, analysis for Concorde Stakes Day at Randwick on Saturday: Buckaroo saddles up for first Aussie win

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/shayne-ocass-tips-analysis-for-concorde-stakes-day-at-randwick-on-saturday-buckaroo-saddles-up-for-first-aussie-win/news-story/476dcb741a6b0efe2f17c26cd1397ed1