Turf Talk with Ray and Christian: Saigon to have a Kensington Tea party

DAILY Telegraph writers Ray Hickson and Christian Nicolussi go head to head in the big horse racing issues of the day.

Photographs: Simon Bullard. Race 2 TAB REWARDS HANDICAP (3YO&UP F&M BM80) - 2000m. Winner 'Saigon Tea' ridden by Jim Cassidy.

DAILY Telegraph writers Ray Hickson and Christian Nicolussi go head to head in the big horse racing issues of the day.

HICKSON: Let’s get one thing straight. We don’t want Saturday racing on the Kensington track but we’re stuck with it on Saturday and I think I’ve found a winner.

NICOLUSSI: Really? Who?

HICKSON: They may not completely pay for my trip to Melbourne on Sunday for the Grand National but surely Saigon Tea wins and I’m keen on Society Man in the last. Did you find them?

NICOLUSSI: I’m with you when it comes to Saigon Tea, but I went the stablemate You’ll Never in the last. A couple of wins have done wonders for his confidence, and that last victory at Rosehill was one with authority. And, he’s won at the track.

HICKSON: Hard to knock winning form, that’s for sure. The big question is can James McDonald get across the line for the premiership? Only four rides seems a bit light for the leading rider.

Surprisingly jockey James McDonald has only four rides at the penultimate Sydney metropolitan race meeting for the season.

NICOLUSSI: His book of rides isn’t crash hot. I hope he bags a double next Wednesday at Warwick Farm. It will add to the theatre. Solemn does have form on the Kensington track, but who knows?

HICKSON: I thought his best chance was Reigning, though I didn’t put it in my top four. It was great to see Sam Clipperton outride his claim during the week, and his Randwick mounts get a free 1.5kg claim. Giddy up!

NICOLUSSI: Angel Bee looked pretty wound up at Monday’s trials, and didn’t shirk the task when Kencella put a bit of pressure on her halfway up the straight. The consistent Taxmeifyoucan will also give some cheer, especially with the relief.

HICKSON: If there’s anything I’d like to see it’s Single winning a race and he’s in a winnable one too.

NICOLUSSI: Inkling should win the opener. You have to wonder if he just wins last start if allowed to roll forward. If Team Snowden originally had the Golden Rose in mind, he’s clearly got talent.

HICKSON: I won’t rush in to the short odds but he does look the winner. Josh Parr will have to be careful though, his brother-in-law’s on a speedy type that could spoil the party.

NICOLUSSI: It really is a quiet time of year? Anything else doing? Ray Donovan returns to Foxtel Monday night. What a show.

HICKSON: Certainly never followed you into that tip I’m afraid.

Originally published as Turf Talk with Ray and Christian: Saigon to have a Kensington Tea party