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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s Rosehill Gardens tips: Duff’s keen $26 roughie in 2025 Golden Slipper

Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy analyse debate the chances in all 10 races on a bumper 2025 Golden Slipper Day program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
Punters - Hold All Tickets Ep 28 - Group 1 smorgasbord
10 min read
10:30AMMarch 21, 2025

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy analyse debate the chances in all 10 races on a bumper 2025 Golden Slipper Day program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Duff is keen to back a $26 roughie in the Slipper, while Ray is Tempted by James Cummings’ key runner.

Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.
Ray Thomas (left) and Ron Dufficy.

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RACE 1: Midway Hcp (1500m)

Ron Dufficy: It’s a competitive race and I don’t mind the odds of IT’S A WONDER (9) here. She has been kept fresh since going down narrowly last start and I feel she presents well here in a similar race from a nice draw. The dangers include PROMITTO (1) whose last two runs have been great under big weights and he will take running down again. RUSH ATTACK (3) is hard to knock with his level of consistency in this grade and I think they have taken an astute apprentice allowance. HELL’S ITCH (13) is getting better with racing and is ready for a peak performance with blinkers on for the first time.

Ray Thomas: LUGARNO (10) did a good job when resuming at Wyong, controlling the race from the front and racing clear to win comfortably. He won over 1600m when last in work so going out to 1500m is no issue. RUSH ATTACK (3) is the danger. He’s very consistent and won over this course and distance two starts back then tried hard when just beaten at Randwick. SATNESS (7) is also in good form and over the odds here.

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RACE 2: Epona Stakes (1900m)

Dufficy: I’m with IT’S A KNOCKOUT (8) again. She lost her spot early from that wide draw last start and just had far too much to do. Over the 1900m she maps much better from this draw and she is right in this race. MARE OF MT BULLER (7) is quite likeable and the timing is right for a peak performance on her home track and is right in the mix. I love the way BE REAL (9) has returned and would have been top pick on a softer track. But she still did more than enough on a dry track first-up. BRIGIDINE GAL (14) got too far back from an awkward draw last week so I just feel from a better draw up in distance if she can run it out she maps better with no weight on her back.

Thomas: MARE OF MT BULLER (7) is ready to win. She has produced two very good, fast-finishing efforts to place at both runs since resuming including her close second in the Aspiration Quality last start. This is her chance. IT’S A KNOCKOUT (8) comes out of the same race where she ran third and is also working up to a win. She does look hard to beat. HINGED (1) is the class mare of the field and although needs to improve, she can’t be ruled out. LITTLE BAIA (3) led throughout to win the Aspiration Quality and is chasing her fourth successive win.

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RACE 3: NE Manion Cup (2400m)

Dufficy: BIRDMAN (11) needs luck from an awkward draw but I think he’s ready now third-up at 2400m. He drops significantly in the weights and I expect him to be right in the finish. ALALCANCE (6) is a courageous mare who doesn’t lie down. She should find a controlling position again and be hard to beat. VALIANT KING (7) is very dangerous. He finally found some form really catching the eye there second-up and might be ready to go right on with it. No one missed ATHABASCAN (1)’s luckless run last start when he ran into dead-ends all the way up the straight. He will be popular out to 2400m.

Thomas: ALALCANCE (6) was first-up at 2000m and led throughout to win the Randwick City Stakes, Talented and tough staying mare who races on speed and gives herself every chance. ATHABASCAN (1) was held up from the top of the straight in the Alalcance race and obviously should have been right in the finish. He gets his chance going to 2400m. BIRDMAN (11) has shown enough in both runs this time in to indicate he’s going to be right in the mix here. OUR ANCHORAGE (4) has to prove he can stay 2400m but he’s racing in top form.

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RACE 4: Darby Munro Stakes (1200m)

Dufficy: I can’t get away from the favourite, AUTUMN GLOW (3). She has had three trials without being let go. Before her spell she was the name on everyone’s lips when she did look the real deal. If anything, 1200m for the first time is a slight concern but I just feel her talent gets her home. LET’SFACETHEMUSIC (11) is a promising horse and he should have nearly won the McNeil Stakes last spring. His two trials have been great and I think he’s undersold here. ENRICHED (2) has come back a stronger colt for sure. He’s unproved beyond 1100m which is the case for a few here but he gives me the impression he should be OK. YOSHINOBU (5) is a nice horse and while the penny hasn’t quite dropped with him yet, the 1200m will suit him better.

Thomas: It’s been a long wait but AUTUMN GLOW (3) is finally back at the races. She looked outstanding last spring winning her only three starts easily before injury. Autumn Glow has been kept sharp for her 1200m return and bad luck is in her main danger. GANGSTA GRANNY (15) has reeled off three wins in succession in much easier grade but her form demands her chance at stakes level. IKASARA (6) has ability and ENRICHED (2) is back in winning form.

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RACE 5: Ranvet Stakes (2000m)

Dufficy: It’s hard to top against the champion mare VIA SISTINA (6), Ray. I feel she more or less picks herself with one proviso – FULL COUNT FELICIA (7). She runs out like Pride Of Jenni and leads her races by 20 lengths overseas. When you get horses like that it can upset Via Sistina’s pattern and it did when the real Pride Of Jenni did beat her. Outside of those two, FAWKNER PARK (2) has returned in outstanding order and should have got closer to Via Sistina first-up and 2000m suits him. AL MUBHIR (4) doesn’t have much in his form except his trainer William Haggas who is almost untouchable first-up in Australia.

Thomas: VIA SISTINA (6) is a super mare who showed her fierce will-to-win by holding off Fangirl over the Randwick 1600m last start. She gets to her preferred race distance third-up today and should win. LINDERMANN (3) will lead or settle on speed and give himself every chance. AL MUBHIR (4) is an interesting runner. His English trainer William Haggas has an unbelievable strike-rate with his horses first-up in Sydney. FULL COUNT FELICIA (7) is a talented Group 1-winning mare from Canada and she does like to lead at a genuine speed in her races.

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RACE 6: Rosehill Guineas (2000m)

Dufficy: I’m keen on SWIFTFALCON (3) if he gets a fair track. I’ve loved his two runs back with this race in mind and I feel he is a great chance of knocking over the favourite here. GOLDRUSH GURU (2) might be the danger. He’s a Victoria Derby winner who was great third-up and has 2000m written all over him now. No knock on BROADSIDING (1), he’s a good colt, but I thought he was beaten on his merits in the Randwick Guineas. I might be wrong but can he run 2000m? Some bark back at me and say he did run third in a Cox Plate but he was beaten 10 lengths. I just have a little query with him at the distance but he gets to answer that question here. AELIANA (11) is definitely not out of it as she will run 2000m better than most and this has looked her target all the way through.

Thomas: BROADSIDING (1) is an outstanding colt who resumed with a dominant Hobartville Stakes win then he had every chance and just failed to reel in Linebacker in the Randwick Guineas. I can understand why you feel Broadsiding might be a slight query at 2000m but I want to stay with the class horse of the field. SWIFTFALCON (3) has been Broadsiding’s immediate chaser in both runs this autumn and looks the main danger although he also has to prove he can stay the trip. AELIANA (11) has been very competitive against the boys in both starts this autumn and she will enjoy getting out to a middle distance. PLYMOUTH (5) is an improving type and an each way contender.

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RACE 7: George Ryder Stakes (1500m)

Dufficy: This is a race that doesn’t look to have a lot of speed except Royal Patronage and Gringotts if he wants to go forward which he should. Then I go looking at the barriers and those that might be able to keep up and CEOLWULF (1) is the one I’ve landed on. Although he had that small setback and had to drop back in distance to 1300m he did enough that day and is ready to do his thing third-up with clear running. ROYAL PATRONAGE (3) is the danger as there was no fluke about his Canterbury Stakes win and he has that lovely racing style. FANGIRL (10) is likely to go back in what could be an indifferent early speed but you can’t deny her determination. TOM KITTEN (2) has to give a start from the draw but he is flying this preparation.

Thomas: An outstanding field with 10 individual Group 1 winners. This is a great race, Ron, but I’m with FANGIRL (10). She is racing as well as ever and I’m banking on her superior acceleration to give her the edge. CEOLWULF (1) is the danger. He’s ready now after two runs back and we know he has elite finishing speed. ROYAL PATRONAGE (3) will be in a controlling position on speed and he’s tough to pass. TOM KITTEN (2) has to come back slightly in trip but he is flying this autumn.

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RACE 8: Golden Slipper (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m going with the filly BELLAZAINE (14) on top, I think she can run an almighty race. She will be ridden aggressively, she will get across and if she can get an easy 200m split I think she will be right in the finish. MARHOONA (16) comes right into it. She is perfectly tuned third-up after a toughen up run last start. I can’t leave WODETON (8) out of my numbers. He’s a lovely colt and we know what Chris Waller can do on Grand Final days. Similar with John Hawkes and WEST OF SWINDON (5). He was qualified after his first start and they have taken their time and although he missed a run last week I don’t want to disregard him.

Thomas: TEMPTED (13) ran brilliant time to win the Reisling Stakes, unleashing a powerful finishing surge. She’s drawn the rails and doesn’t have a lot of early speed but if she can settle midfield and then gets some galloping room from the turn, I think she has the finishing speed to win the Golden Slipper. WODETON (8) has been the long-time Slipper favourite, drawn well, gets James McDonald, and has the winkers going on. He will be in the finish. WEST OF SWINDON (5) is way over the odds, probably because he missed a lead-up run last week. But he’s very talented and in the right stable. What has RIVELLINO (1) done wrong? He keeps winning, Hugh Bowman rides and he’s drawn to get the right run.

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RACE 9: The Galaxy (1100m)

Dufficy: I want to go with GROWING EMPIRE (6). He’s a good colt who has just looked a bit lost going down the straight course at Flemington to me in his two runs back. He is too good to dismiss and back around the bend with James McDonald on I’m leaning his way. In saying that, this race is stacked full of potential stars including BRIASA (11) who would have been clear top pick with a barrier. He looks to have returned in outstanding order and he had an aura about him last preparation. If he can off-set the wide draw he is right in it. PRIVATE HARRY (13) is an exciting prospect and it was an incredible win before his break. The only negative is the price at this level but he gets his chance to put his name up in lights. COMMEMORATIVE (14) is a big, bold strider so I’m not sure if she needs an inside barrier but third-up off a big win with 51kg on her back she should be running on strongly.

Thomas: PRIVATE HARRY (13) was explosive winning The Sunlight last start, beating Lady Of Camelot who has raced very well at the top level this autumn to frank the form. Private Harry is going first-up into The Galaxy, but he’s unbeaten, trialling brilliantly, and he’s a special talent. I also think BRIASA (11) is an outstanding prospect but barrier 14 is a big leveller. He can still win if he gets any luck in running. GROWING EMPIRE (6) is going to be hard to beat and the in-form COMMEMORATIVE (14) is a lightweight chance.

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RACE 10: Birthday Card Stakes (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m very keen on OUTBACK MISS (7) here. She’s an underrated mare who was very good when up in class last start and is well weighted off that performance. She should be in the finish. SHEZANALISTER (5) was a total forgive last start as she pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia last start. Her previous runs were very good. COCO JAMBOO (3) can pull a run out fresh and I liked her trial. WOOLOOWIN (11) is a progressive sprinter who went through her grades nicely last preparation.

Thomas: SPRING LEE (8) probably wasn’t suited having to lead last start and still tried hard. The form out of her tough win at Randwick two starts back has stood up and she deserves another chance. WOOLOOWIN (11) is a promising mare with a proven first-up record. OUTBACK MISS (7) does look well placed here and is very likeable. Shezanalister has the ability to reel off very fast closing sectionals on her day.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-rosehill-gardens-tips-duffs-keen-26-roughie-in-2025-golden-slipper/news-story/db3033bb70b03a5394a14247b742313b