The Last Say: Ray Thomas has all the last-minute information and tips for today’s big race meetings

THE quality racing continues today with some impressive offerings at Doomben, Flemington and Randwick. Ray Thomas brings you The Last Say.

ROYAL RANDWICK

Weather: Fine, mostly day with a forecast top temperature of 25c.

Track: Slow (6)

Rail: True

DOOMBEN

Weather: Warm, mostly sunny day with the possible early shower and a forecast top temperature of 27c.

Track: Good (3)

Rail: 4m out

FLEMINGTON

Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with isolated showers in the morning a forecast top temperature of 18c.

Track: Dead (4)

Rail: 3m out

BE WARY: Randwick’s track surface is surprisingly bordering on the slow range even though Sydney has had no rain for nearly two weeks. I expect jockeys to steer away from the inside section of the course in the straight. Doomben seemed to favour on-pacers last week but the rail has been shifted from 2m to 4m today. It should provide an even racing surface. Flemington is just into the dead range but there is showers forecast during the morning. Flemington usually races fairly but watch for any track bias against leaders in early races.

ROYAL RANDWICK

THE BEST BET: Katie’s Cove (race 3) was slow to begin at Hawkesbury and settled a lot further back than expected but she recovered to run an excellent second behind the classy Chautauqua in the Hawkesbury Guineas. This promising Kiwi filly created a big impression at her Australian debut and she has been given three weeks to get over the Hawkesbury effort. Her trackwork in the last week has been the talk of Randwick and she appears to have trained on particularly well. Drawn to advantage as she is usually a good beginner. Taking on easier opposition today and should just win.

THE NEXT BEST: Avoid Lightning (race 5) has been in rare form since joining the Les Bridge stable. She relished the rain-affected conditions to win the Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill then ran up to that effort when a a very good second to Cosmic Endeavour in the Sapphire Stakes. Cosmic Endeavour has since won the Scone Guineas to frank the form. Avoid Lightning was scratched from Scone last week due to the firm track conditions and Bridge has pulled the right rein as the dead-to-slow track conditions today are ideal. This isn’t an overly strong race, she has drawn well in barrier form, and in-form jockey Tim Clark should be able to give the mare the run of the race. Everything looks made to order for her today.

VALUE BET: Eigelstein (race 8) sprinted well fresh when a close seventh, beaten just over two lengths, behind Tromso at Rosehill two weeks. Eigelstein was going to run right into the finish when he was blocked for a run 200m out and wasn’t really tested to the finish. His second up record is a concern - six starts for not even a minor placing - but his first-up effort was so encouraging, and the fact he didn’t expend all his energy as he was blocked for a run over the concluding stages of the race suggests he’s ready to run a big race today. Good value around the $15 mark.

THE WHISPER: La Amistad (race 6) is a rapidly improving staying mare who goes into the McKell Cup on the back of impressive wins at Echuca and Warwick Farm. This three-quarter sister to triple Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva has raced her way through the grades and is ready for stakes class today, La Amistad has recorded three of her four career wins on rain-affected tracks and she has been placed in her only two starts on slow surfaces. She is meeting some proven, tough stayers today so this will be a test but this mare has significantly more upside than her rivals.

DOOMBEN

THE BEST BET: Brazen Beau (race 6) was dominant winning the Champagne Classic, showing good acceleration from the top of the straight to sprint past his rivals and put a margin of nearly two lengths on his nearest rival. Very impressive over 1200m at Doomben last start and should have no problems going to 1350m today. Drawn to get the perfect run in transit, and Nash Rawiller retains the ride. He defeated most of today’s field with authority two weeks ago. Impossible to tip against him.

Can Brazen beau triumph at Doomben today?

NEXT BEST: Wistful (race 4) looked primed for the Scone Cup eight days ago only to bump her head on the float on the way to the track, resulting in stewards ordering her late withdrawal. Her stablemate Cameo ended up winning the Scone Cup but Wistful’s form had been far superior going into that race. Wistful and Cameo clash in the Lord Mayor’s Cup today but the former is clearly the one to beat. Wistful’s effort to push the very talented Leebaz right to the line in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup was franked when Leebaz ran second in the Doomben Cup at Group 1 level last week. This looks Wistful’s day.

VALUE BET: Auberge (race 7) is confronted by a significant jump from a Kembla Grange class 1 win into a Group 3 contest but I feel he is up to it. This three-year-old shows staying ability and appreciated getting to 2400m - and a firm racing surface - at Kembla last week when he thrashed his older rivals by a widening seven-and-a-half lengths. Settled midfield then charged to the lead half way down the straight and careered away. I’d prefer him at 2400m in the Derby but the horse would have gained a lot of confidence from his runaway last start win. He will be around $10 and he is good value.

THE WHISPER: Cape Kidnappers (race 3) had won seven of his first 10 starts (and ran second in the other three) before missing a place when resuming and finishing only seventh behind Pure Purrfection in the Bribie Handicap at Doomben two weeks ago. Cape Kidnappers was very fresh for that race, played up behind the barrier and was trapped three-wide without cover so he had plenty of excuses for that failure. Cape Kidnappers is much better than that run suggests and can be backed with confidence today.

FLEMINGTON

THE BEST BET: Husson Eagle (race 1) has shaped promisingly in each of his three runs so far and gets his chance to breakthrough today. He ran second on debut to Bring Me The Maid at stakes level, then was fourth to the smart London Lolly in another stakes race before finishing a close second then got a long way back early but ran on strongly for a close second to More For Me at Sandown. He’s had a month between runs, goes into today’s race nice and fresh, the small field of six suits him and he has raced well up the straight previously. Husson Eagle should get punters off to a winning start at Flemington today.

NEXT BEST: Tooleybuc Kid (race 4) is racing in outstanding form, winning three of his last five starts, and two placings. Seems to be getting better with racing and was absolutely dominant at Caulfield last start winning wy a widening three-and-a-quarter lengths. He excels at 2000m and gets into this race well at the weights with apprentice Harry Coffey’s claim giving the in-form galloper 52.5kg to carry, 1.5kg under the limit. Usually races in the front half of the field and he does possess a very good finishing sprint. A stand-out selection.

VALUE BET: Essay Raider (race 6) unleashed a powerful sprint to win the Group 3 Mackay Stakes at Morphettville most impressively and went into the Group 1 Goodwood as a live chance. The slow track conditions didn’t help him in the Goodwood and he was never in the contest finishing well back behind Smokin’ Joey. The firmer track surface suits him today and he has raced well up the straight previously, running second in the Standish Handicap back in the summer. Promising and improving young sprinter and he’s good value at $8.

THE WHISPER: Ominous (race 5), a former French galloper, is in his second Australian preparation and is showing staying promise. Broke through for his first win here when he led throughout to win over 2000m at Morphettville then came from off the pace and stormed past his rivals to win the Listed Port Adelaide Cup brilliantly last start. He put a margin on his rivals last start and was very strong at the end of 2500m. He gives the impression he will run 3200m and he looks to have more upside than the rest of this field.

THE BIG MONEY

ROYAL RANDWICK

In race 1, Next Level has firmed from $11 to $8.50 with bets of $400 at $11 and $500 at $9.50. Race 2, Off The Rails is a big firmer, $16 to $7.50 after bets of $440 at $10, $500 at $8.50 and $400 at $7.50, and Hey Shazam $71 to $41. Race 3, Equator is firm at $15 after a bet of $600/$400 at $15/$4.11, Katie’s Cove has been well backed $3.50 to $1.90 with bets of $2000 at $3.50 and $5200 at $3, Sabino Speed $26 to $21. Race 4, Inside Job is $6 to $4.60 after a $500 wager at $6, Zin Zan Eddie $15 - $14. Race 5, Arinosa is firm at $8 after two bets of $500, Alcaraz has firmed from $15 to $8.50 after bets of $500 at $15, $500 at $13, $500 and $400 at $11 and $1000 at $9.50, Furious Jet $51 - $35. Race 6, Permit $10 to $9.50 after two bests of $500 at $10, Destiny’s Kiss is $7.50 to $6.50 after $400 bet at $7.50, Order Of The Sun is $7.50 to $6.50 after a $500 bet at $7, La Amistad is $3.70 to $2.80 after bets of $1500 at $3.70, $2000 at $3.50 and $1500 at $3.10, Kobi Sun is $41 to $21. Race 7, I’m In The Money is $15 to $12, Oriental Lady is $21 to $12 after a bet of $550/$450 at $13/$4, Medusa’s Miss is $51 to $31, Amazon is $6 to $4.80 after a $1000 wager at $6, Sense And Reason $6.50 to $5 after a $400 wager at $6.50. Race 8, Eigelstein is firm at $9.50 after a $400/$600 each way bet at $9.50/$3.12, Excess Knowledge is $15 to $9 with bets of $500/$365 at $12/$3.75, $500 at $10, $500 each way at $9/$3, Generalife is $5 to $4.40 after bets of $600 at $5 and $900 at $4.40.

DOOMBEN

Race 1, Monbazillac is firm at $5 after a $1250 wager at those odds. Race 2, Agitate is $2.30 to $2.25 after a $1000 bet at $2.30. Race 3, Big Bonanza is $8 to $7.50, Cape Kidnappers is firm at $3.50 after a bet of $1000 at those odds. Race 4, Starkiato is $31 to $21, Angel Of Mercy is $5.50 to $5 after a $600 at $5.50), Wistful is $4 to $3.80 with bets of $700 at $4 and $1000 at $3.50. Race 5, Platinum Rocker $8.50 to $6 after a $1000 bet at $8, Srikandi is $3 to $2.70 after bets of $1500 and $1000 at $3, Jazz Song is $13 to $12. Race 6, Brazen Beau is $2.50 to $2.25 after bets of $2250 at $2.50, Pressing $5.50 to $5, Looks Like The Cat is firm in betting after a $500 each way wager at $7/$2.26, Punta Norte $81 to $41. Race 7, Rudy is $10 to 9 including a $500 bet at $9, Amexed $4.20 to $3.80 including a bet of $2000 at $4.20, Pinstripe Lane is $8 to $7.50 after a $400 bet at $8, Auberge is firm at $7 after a $500 each way wager at those odds, Telepathic $4.50 to $4.20. Race 8, Buffering $4 to $3.80 including a $1000 wager at $3.80, Spirit Of Boom is firm at $4.80 after bets of $1600 and $1000 at those odds, Rebel Dane is at $4 after a $1000 each way bet at $4/$1.66, Famous Seamus $7.50 to $7 after bets of $1700 at $7.50 and $500 at $7, Driefontein $21 to $16 after a $400 bet at $21. Race 9, Waldpark is firm at $15 after a bet of $400 at those odds, Danchai is firm in betting after a $1500 at $4.50.

FLEMINGTON

Race 1, Agent For Change $6 to $4.60 after bets of $500 at $5.50 and $500 at $4.60. Race 2, Tax Evader $3.80 to $3.70, Bombalatomba $15 to $9.50 after bets of $400 at $13 and $500 at $11. Race 3, I’m Fearsome $6.50 to $3.40 with bets of $600 at $6.50, $500 each way at $5.50/$2.12, $2000 at $4.20 and $1200 at $3.80, Mokoro $13 to $9, Belle Couture is $9 to $8.50 after a $500 each way wager at $9/$3. Race 4, Backstedt is $6.50 to $5 after bets of $650 at $6.50 and $1000 at $6, Tooleybuc Kid $2.70 to $2.25 after bets of $2000 at $2.70, $1000 at $2.50, $1500 at $2.45 and $2000 at $2.35, Freshwater Storm $15 to $11. Race 5, Gotta Take Care is $8.50 to $7.50 after best of $500 at $8.50 and $600 at $8, Ominous $6 to $4.20, I’m Jake $31 to $18 after a $400 bet at $21, Wells is $13 to $12 after a $400 bet at $13. Race 6, Blackie $18 to $9.50, Essay Raider $12 to $6, Le Bonsir $17 to $13 after bets of $500/$400 at $17/$5, $450 each way $13/$4. Race 7, Henwood $5.50 to $4.20 after bets of $750 at $5 and $667 at $4.80, Tried And Tired $6 to $3.60 after bets of $600 at $6 and $600 at $4.80. Race 8, Miss Maggiebeel $16 to $14, Denoninator $9 to$7 after a $500 each way wager at $9/$2.77.

INTERSTATE

Morphettville race 1: Western Desert

Morphettville race 3: Gossip Guru

PROVINCIALS

Newcastle race 4: Bayrock

Newcastle race 8: Sheniyan

#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners.

Originally published as The Last Say: Ray Thomas has all the last-minute information and tips for today’s big race meetings