The Last Say with Ray Thomas: Rosehill Gardens, Eagle Farm and Sandown

ALL the tips and late mail from SuperRacing expert Ray Thomas ahead of a big day’s racing at Rosehill Gardens, Eagle Farm and Sandown.

Eagle Farm trackwork. Arabian Gold. Pic Mark Calleja

ALL the tips and late mail ahead of a big day’s racing at Rosehill Gardens, Eagle Farm and Sandown.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

Weather: Cool, mostly cloudy day with isolated showers, mainly on the coastal fringe and a forecast top temperature of 20c.

Track: Good (3)

Rail: 3m out

EAGLE FARM

Weather: Mild, mostly cloudy day with the possibility of a shower or two and forecast top temperature of 23c.

Track: Good (3)

Rail: True

SANDOWN

Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with isolated showers in the morning a forecast top temperature of 17c.

Track: Dead (5)

Rail: 5m out

BE WARY: Firm track surfaces at Rosehill and Eagle Farm with both in the good range — very unusual at this time of the year. Rosehill’s rail is out 3m which is often the rail placement that provides the fairest racing surface. Possible showers are forecast during the day but I feel race tempo rather than track surface will be most crucial today given the field sizes aren’t overly big. Racing returns to Eagle Farm for the first time in well over a month and the track should be near perfect. Sandown generally favours horses away from the inside when there track is rain-affected.

ROSEHILL GARDENS

THE BEST BET: Sugar Rush (race 2) has returned to racing in tremendous form this campaign. She impressed first-up when sprinting clear of her rivals to win at Gosford then stepped up in grade and was even more dominant scoring at a Randwick Kensington meeting. This is a stronger race again but she has really turned the corner now. She is appreciating being ridden conservatively early and is finishing off her races with a brilliant turn of foot. Sugar Rush has always shown potential and she is delivering now. Awkwardly drawn but just needs to find cover early and she can complete a hat-trick of wins.

THE NEXT BEST: Country Warrior (race 1) was first-up for seven weeks and looked home at Canterbury when he forged clear halfway down the straight only to be collared near the line by the promising I Am Impressed. Good solid effort at Canterbury and will trip fitter today. Country Warrior has now had four starts for four second placings, all in the metropolitan area. The barrier draw isn’t ideal but he does have tactical speed and should be able to slot in without too much trouble. This isn’t an overly strong juvenile race and Country Warrior gets his chance to break through for a deserved win.

VALUE BET: Pompidou (race 7) ran a blinder at Scone last start, coming from well back on the turn to run second to the talented Big Money over 1100m. This mare has never been racing in better form with two wins and three placings from her last five starts. The key to her chances is the good track — she needs a firm surface to produce her best and has conditions to suit today. Scone trainer Greg Bennett’s horses invariably race well when he brings them to the city, too. Significant booking of boom apprentice Taylor Marshall as his 3kg claim will bring her into the race with only 51kg. She is way over the odds around the $11 mark.

THE WHISPER: Queenstown (race 8) was tried as a stayer last spring and performed well, running second in the Matriarch Stakes over 2000m behind Girl Gone Rockin’ then third to Sertorius in the Zipping Classic over 2400m. She had also won over 1600m at Moonee Valley earlier in the spring. Resuming today but reportedly working brilliantly at Randwick and she does race well fresh She was beaten in a photo when resuming first-up over 1600m last preparation on the back of two solid barrier trials. She has been given a similar preparation for today’s race, performing well in two recent barrier trials. This is a tough race but there is an air of confidence about her chances today.

DOOMBEN

THE BEST BET: She’s Clean (race 4) looks a stand-out selection today. She resumed with a solid fourth behind the very impressive Srikandi in the Juanmo Stakes, beaten about four lengths. Srikandi then won the Glenlogan Park Stakes last week to earn Stradbroke favouritism and franking the formline. She’s Clean is in a much easier race today and on her best form she would blow this field away. She did win the Triscay Stakes and June Stakes at Listed level last season but hasn’t won a race for nearly 12 months. This looks a perfect race for her and if she gets a genuine tempo, she can finish over the top of her rivals.

NEXT BEST: Arabian Gold (race 7) is in dynamic form. She has reeled off brilliant wins in the Adrian Knox Stakes, Frank Packer Plate and Doomben Roses in successive starts and she does a class abover her rivals in the Queensland Oaks The one concern is the 2400m as she failed at her only attempt beyond 2000m last spring when sixth in the Victoria Oaks. The barrier draw is significant as Arabian Gold should now get the gun run from the inside draw. Top class fillies can stay when taking on their own age and sex and I’m banking on Arabian Gold’s class overcoming any stamina limitations.

VALUE BET: Safeguard (race 6) loomed up as a winning chance but tough run told and he just wilted slightly when fifth to Havana at Doomben last start. The track was favouring horses closer to the inside that day and Safeguard had to make his run wide out so there was plenty of excuses. He’s fitter after three runs from a spell and both his Queensland efforts have been very good. The Queensland Guineas is a race of many chances but Safeguard is good value at $10.

THE WHISPER: Masthead (race 8) has had two runs for trainer Chris Waller and both have been excellent efforts. He resumed at the Hawkesbury stand-alone and ran a very good third to Hurrara then stepped out at Scone and looked most unlucky when a closing fourth to Mighty Lucky. Masthead has been very competitive in good class races at Hawkesbury and Scone and is up to this grade. He’s right down in the weights. placed to advantage, and suited by the firm track conditions.

SANDOWN

THE BEST BET: Lady Lakshmi (race 5) has been racing very consistently with four successive minor placings since she won here at Sandown back in March. Tough filly who comes into this race after a gallant second in the Adelaide Guineas behind Alpha Beat at Morphettville. She looked home last start but was run down in the final few bounds. She enjoys racing at Sandown, she’s very fit, and Shaun Guymer’s 2kg claim brings her in well at the weights. The one to beat.

NEXT BEST: The Australian Hurdle (race 4) features a clash between the emerging Fieldmaster and proven topliner Gotta Take Care. I’m keen on Fieldmaster who was absolutely dominant winning by 20 lengths at Sandown last start. He was going to win a long way from home that day and could have doubled the margin if pushed out at any stage. Fieldmaster gets 5kg off Gotta Take Care and that gives him a decisive advantage, This will be a great race to watch but stick with Fieldmaster.

VALUE BET: Awesome Bro (race 2) looked unlucky first-up when blocked for a run at a vital stage before finishing well for fifth to the speedy Lord Of The Sky at Caulfield two weeks ago. He is much fitter now and going to 1200m is more suitable. That was his first run for nearly a year so will improve sharply. Showed promise as a three-year-old with two placings at stakes level and a fourth behind All Too Hard in the Caulfield Guineas. The booking of Damien Oliver today is significant and Awesome Bro is very backable around the $6 mark.

THE WHISPER: Search Squad (race 6) just can’t draw a barrier and must overcome gate 13 today. But I have been following this horse through the autumn and he is a promising type improving with racing. He scored a strong win at Sandown late last month and at his only run since was unlucky from a wide barrier when a good second to a smart type in By The Grace. Search Squad races well at Sandown, is in great form, is very fit and can win again if he gets any sort of luck from the barrier.

THE BIG MONEY

ROSEHILL GARDENS

In TAB Fixed Odds betting on race 1, Brazen Moss $4.60 to $4.40 after bets of $1000 at $4.60, $800 and $700 at $4.40, Exalted Warrior $6 to $4.80 after a $600 wager at $6. Race 2, Sugar Rush $4.20 to $3 after bets of $600 at $4, Papillon Rouge is firm in betting at $4.20 after a $1200 wager at those odds. Race 3, Skarsgard $9.50 to $5.50, Blackboard Special $6 to $3.40 after bets of $650 at $6 and $800 at $5.50. Race 4, Sir Berus $11 to $8 after a $500 wager at $11, Cradle Me $3.60 to $2.80 after a bet of $1100 at $3.40. Race 5, Longshoreman $5 to $4.60 after a $500 at $5, Rugged Cross $7.50 to $7 after bets of $500 at $6.50 and $1000 at $7.50, Adorabeel $9.50 to $9 after a bet of $750 at $9.50 and $500 at $9. Race 6, Full Of Spirit $6 to $5 after a bet of $600 at $6, I’m Imposing $3.40 to $3.20, Keep Cool firm in betting after a bet of $1000 at $7, Are You Sure also firm at $17 after a $550 at those odds. Race 7, Holy Delusions $7 to $6.50 after a bet of $1000 at $7, Urgent Bells $16 to $12 after a $500 bet at $16, Pompidou $15 to $8 after bets of $600 at $14 and $600 at $11. Race 8, Queenstown $8 to $5.50, Fulgur $41 to $17 after a bet of $500 each way at $21/$6.

EAGLE FARM

In race 1, Noisy Ocean $16 to $12. Race 2, Fixation $35 to $21, Elitist is firm at $3.40 after a $1500 bet at those odds. Race 3, Moriarty has had two $1000 wagers at $4 and Akzar also firm at $2.60 after a $2000 bet at those odds. Race 4, She’s Clean $4.20 to $3.80 after bets of $700 and $550 at $4.20, Saturn Rock $26 to $21. Race 5, Fillydelphia is firm at $12 after a bet of $400 at those odds, Startsmeup is also firm in betting after a $500 wager at $8, Lady Echelon $4.80 to $4.50 with bets of $2500 at $4.80 and $1500 at $4.50. Race 6, Dothraki has been well backed including $666 each way at $7/$2.50, Havana $5.50 to $5 after a $500 each way wager at $5.50/$2.12, Agadir $13 to $9 including $400 at $13, Palmera Lad $41 — $21, Wordplay $34 — $26. Race 7, Arabian Gold $2.50 to $2.25 after bets of $3000, $2000 and $1000 at $2.50, $1500 and $1000 at $2.25, Tinto $500 each way at $7.50/$2.52, $500 each way at $7/$2.41, Paris Match has been backed at odds including $500 at $16, Terai $21 — $17, Sancerre $18 to $16 after bets of $500/$2500 at $18/$5. Race 8,Sacred Star $4.20 to $4, Bennetta $9 to $7, Doubtfilly $15 to $13 after a bet of $400 each way at $15/$4.50, and Masthead $6.50 to $6 after a bet of $1100 at $6.50.

SANDOWN

In race 1, Lucky Generation $3.80 to $3.50 after a bet of $1000 at $3.40, Devil’s Harmony has been well backed including $600/$400 at $6/$2.08, Obliged $51 — $18, Skyfire $41 to $14, Devon Princess $10 to $7 after a $1000 bet at $8. Race 2, Pillar Of Creation $4.40 to $3.40, Awesome Bro $7.50 to $4.40 after a $500 at $7, Big Buddie $15 to $11, Lonrockstar $6 to $5 after a $400 at $6. Race 3, Cats Fun $4.20 to $3.20 after bets of $2000 at $4 and $1000 at $3.60. Race 4, Gotta Take Care $3.70 to $3.20 after a bet of $1200 at $3.50, Thubiaan has been backed at odds including $1000 and $600 at $7.50. Race 5, Lady Lakshmi has been well backed including $1000 [twice] at $3.80, Miss Maggiebeel $12 to $10 after a bet of $400 at $10, Madam Gangster $16 to $10 after a bet of $400 at $11, Magnus Slipper $12 to $10. Race 6, Charles In Charge $7 to $5.50 after bets of $1000/$400 at $7/$2.50, $400 at $6.50, $1200 each way at $6/$2.25 and $1000 each way at $5.50/$2.12, Search Squad has been well backed including bets of $1000 at $8, $750 each way at $8.50/$2.87, $500 each way at $7.50/$2.62, Adirondack $9 to $6.50 after bets of $500 at $7 and $1000 at $6, Refulgent $5 to $3.50 including bets of $1300 at $5, $700 at $4 and $1300 at $3.70. Race 7, St Jean $2.80 to $2.60 after a bet of $1000 at $2.80, Perplexity $9 to $7 after bets of $700 each way at $9/$2.93, $400/$600 at $8/$2.69. Race 8, Bianmick $26 to $21, Onpicalo $2.50 to $2.20 after a big bet of $8000 at $2.40, Upbeat $21 to $14.

FIXED ODDS MULTIS

$4,000 Double at $5.50 on Arabian Gold (Queensland Oaks) / Onpicalo (Sandown Race 8)

$1,000 Double at $13.44 on I’m Imposing (Rosehill Race 6) / Sacred Star (QTC Cup)

$1,000 Double at $10.50 on Arabian Gold (Queensland Oaks) / Sacred Star (QTC Cup)

INTERSTATE

Morphettville race 4: Ripple Effect

Morphettville race 8: Sheez On Top

PROVINCIALS

Newcastle race 2: Marshal

Newcastle race 8: Barachello

Originally published as The Last Say with Ray Thomas: Rosehill Gardens, Eagle Farm and Sandown