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Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s race-by-race analysis and tips for Gosford on Saturday

Ron Dufficy is tipping a filly with “form around the right horses” to break her maiden at Gosford on Saturday. Check out Duff and Ray Thomas’ race-by-race preview.

Ray Thomas
10 min read
May 9, 2025 - 2:09PM
Hold All Tickets Ep 35 - Giga Kick the M-word?

The Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central form expert Ron Dufficy debate all the chances across 10 races at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on Saturday.

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DUFF’S SUGGESTED BETS

BEST BET

R2 No.1: SEQUISTA

VALUE BET

R6 No.10: LULUMON

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RACE 1: GOSFORD IT MIDWAY (1200m)

Ron Dufficy: I like the well-bred filly DUCK EGG BLUE (7). She was competitive at stakes level last start and that has to be good form for this race. THE GREAT HOUDINI (1) was fantastic winning first-up at the Kensington midweeks, and he is trained on the track which is always an advantage. MONTE KATE (3) was trapped wide last start and you have to forgive her unplaced run. She only needs luck from her draw to be in the finish here. DON’T DOUBT MERLIN (5) has had two very nice trials and is unbeaten fresh. He is a big yard and market watch.

Ray Thomas: I’m going to stay with OAKFIELD BADGER (2). He’s a consistent sprinter who ran on well without threatening the impressive Sunrise at Randwick last start. He gets out to 1200m here and that should suit. He’s double-figure odds and will give his backers a great sight. DUCK EGG BLUE (7) does look hard to beat for all the reasons you have mentioned. THE GREAT HOUDINI (1) won with ease when resuming at Kensington and if he runs up to that effort he will be hard to beat again. DON’T DOUBT MERLIN (5) flies fresh and is coming off some very good recent trial efforts.

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RACE 2: ORTUS FINANCIAL 2YO HCP (1200m)

Dufficy: I’m very keen on SEQUISTA (1). I concede she is still a maiden and has to carry a bit of weight for a filly here but she has form around the right horses and only has to handle a soft track to be the one to beat. CHICAMA (7) was good after a wide run behind a subsequent winner last start and he has won a trial since. HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (6) captured the attention charging into second spot on debut and looks to have a future. GREEN SPACES (4) showed good speed winning first-up in Victoria and that form should hold up here.

Thomas: SEQUISTA (1) ran a blinder on debut to finish a close third to top filly Within The Law in the Inglis Nursery and at her only run since she led for home before finishing fourth to the outstanding Tempted in the Percy Sykes Stakes. Sequista had to do a lot of work first-up and it wasn’t surprising she faded late. But form does read very well for this race, she just needs a touch of luck finding a position from her awkward draw and she will be hard to beat. HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT (6) ran on well for second on debut at Canterbury and expect him to again be finding the line. GREEN SPACES (4) resumed with an all-the-way win at Geelong, he will be fitter, is in the right stable and is value odds. CHICAMA (7) can only improve on his game first-up effort.

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RACE 3: TAB HIGHWAY (1200m)

Dufficy:JOISELLE (4) looks hard to beat here. She has the Highway form on the board, she’s proven at 1200m and has to be the go-to horse with a lovely draw and claim. SUPER NORWEST (9) resumes without a trial and has a horror draw but she probably has the best Highway form if right so have to take her on trust. JOLLY GOOD FELLOW (1) is only a three-year-old in a new stable but has his confidence up after a couple of country wins and might have more to offer. ATMOSPHERIC ROCK (17) still has to sneak into this field and I know he has a big weight but he’s a talented horse who was very good winning first-up at this level last preparation.

Thomas: I’m also with JOISELLE (4). She tried hard when third in a Randwick Highway and gets the perfect draw at Gosford. This is her chance. JOLLY GOOD FELLOW (1) has scored successive wins by comfortable margins at Orange and Bathurst and he has the early speed to negate his barrier. RITZSUN (8) has been the beaten favourite in three successive starts but he hasn’t been far away. Drawn well and should be in the mix. BAKHITA (14) is down in the weights, well drawn and is a competitive chance at good odds.

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RACE 4: POLVIN FENCING SYSTEMS HCP (1600m)

Dufficy:ENGINE ROOM (4) looks a nice horse in the making off two good wins. It’s a bold plan going straight to a mile here but his pedigree suggests it should be OK. I’m going to bank on his upside. DUVANA (8) needed the run when ridden quietly from the draw first-up and will go much better from the draw. PURE ALPHA (3) returns to Sydney after three runs from Victoria on good tracks and it would appear his best form is with the jar out of the tracks. YANKEE ONE (1) got all the favours winning last start but there is no reason she won’t get a similar run here and she just keeps improving.

Thomas: ENGINE ROOM (4) comes off exciting wins at Warwick Farm and Kensington to start his preparation. This is his biggest test but he’s winning with authority and is very strong at the end of his races. MIZELLA (12) was charging home late when second over 1400m at Newcastle. Emerging filly who is going to appreciate 1600m and will be hitting the line hard. YANKEE ONE (1) has won three of her last four starts and she will get a soft run from her inside draw. ENTER THE DRAGON (2) is also racing in great form and will make his own luck racing on speed.

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RACE 5: TOOHEYS BENCHMARK 78 HCP (2100m)

Dufficy: I’m interested in the Victorian MR BUSTER (14). He’s a lightly-raced Ciaron Maher-trained horse who was heavily backed last start and this is a nice race for him. I expect he will be here to race very well. SUN GOD (3) gets blinkers on. He loomed up to win last start but just didn’t quite finish his race off so coming back slightly in distance suits him. SO DAZZLING (2) hasn’t won in a long while but caught the eye at big odds when resuming. She drops in class here and has good second-up statistics. AWESOME WONDER (7) is a strong staying mare who was pretty good first-up and is a touch over the odds.

Thomas:SUN GOD (3), the former English stayer, loomed up to win but couldn’t get past eventual winner Campaldino, finishing third in a tight finish at Kensington. He is back to 2100m and gets the blinkers on. It’s also worth noting both his career wins have come when fourth-up from a spell like he is here. CORMAC T (9) was only beaten a length into third when resuming and he does go well second-up from a spell. I also thought AWESOME WONDER (7) did more than enough when resuming to put herself right into contention here. I’m wary of MR BUSTER (14) and agree he is definitely one to watch.

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RACE 6: TRIPLE M THUNDER (1000m)

Dufficy: There’s good value with LULUMON (10) although this is a touch short of her best distance. Her two trials leading into her return to racing have been great, she is very genuine and you know what you are going to get from her and that’s a really good run for your money. I like the fact she will just sit off the speed and have last look at them. RANTAN (12) is an improver who has also trialled well and gets in with a featherweight. She should be competitive. STORM THE RAMPARTS (9) is also trialling up under a hold, looking the part and the stable is in great form. WINNING PROPOSAL (7) has her first run for the new stable and has to be respected as she has shown glimpses of nice talent previously.

Thomas:WINNING PROPOSAL (7) is a lightly-raced filly who has been competitive against some of the best of her agree group. She hasn’t managed to place in five starts this season but her two barrier trial efforts in recent weeks suggests she has returned in very good form. Winning Proposal seems trained up for a winning return. SHALL BE (5) and POWER OF THE BRAVE (6) ran the quinella at Wyong last start and both are right into this race. CASSIEL (13) led throughout and won well at Canterbury first-up in smart time. He will be fitter and is drawn to get the right run.

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RACE 7: GOSFORD GOLD CUP (2100m)

Dufficy:NEW ENDEAVOUR (2) is going really well without winning. He maps to get the right run and I’m happy to give him another chance considering the depth of his form. HEZASHOCKA (3) is working up to a peak performance and just needs the track to stay on the softer side to be hard to hold out. I liked the way LES VAMPIRES (9) rallied late to the line last start when he went up in distance last start. He is up in trip again but could well be up to the task. NAVAL COLLEGE (4) did enough first-up, usually lifts at his second run back and just needs things to fall into place early so he can get some cover.

Thomas: I’ve got MEDATSU (12) on top each-way but his chances hinge on the track improving. He’s better on top of the ground and is slowly working his way back into form as his efforts to finish just behind the placegetters in the Albury Cup and Wagga Wagga Gold Cup indicate. He’s on the limit weight, might be able to settle closer from the good draw and is an each way chance provided the track is not soft-heavy. NEW ENDEAVOUR (2) is definitely the one to beat. He is bursting to win a race, gets his chance from the good draw and is a deserved favourite. The wetter the better for defending champ HEZASHOCKA (3). LES VAMPIRES (9) has to stay 2100m but he’s very fit and his tactical speed is suited around this tight, turning track.

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RACE 8: THE COAST (1400m)

Dufficy: A throw at the stumps where with WOOTTON VERNI (4). There was a massive plunge on him first-up in Australia and I know he was disappointing but the market doesn’t usually lie so I am very guarded about his chances. He could easily improve. LADY IN PINK (1) is a Victorian mare who adds interest after a Group 2 placing in Adelaide last start and she will be strong at a mile. KNOW THYSELF (10) gets a massive drop in weight here of 8kg after winning three straight. He is quite likeable although he is short enough. RAPT (13) is going really well, is crying out for the step up in distance and gets her chance at big odds.

Thomas:KNOW THYSELF (10) has won three on the bounce including the Country Championships Final and then a fast-finishing effort over the Randwick 1600m course last start. This is a stronger race but he drops 8kg to the limit of 53kg and if the track stays in the soft-heavy range, he will be hard to beat. MARE OF MT BULLER (8) has been freshened since charging home to win the Epona Stakes. I’d prefer her over further but she has had six weeks between runs. I’m also keeping a close eye on WOOTTON VERNI (4). He could improve sharply on his unplaced Australian debut. DEPTH OF CHARACTER (2) was dominant in the Queensland Guineas last start and could make it three wins in succession.

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RACE 9: TAKEOVER TARGET STAKES (1200m)

Dufficy: There are lots of options here. Although this is short of his best distance XIDAKI (7) might be the one. The stable keeps saying how well he has come up and now he has a run under his belt, if he gets clear running from his inside draw, he will be very strong late. I’m happy to be with him at the price. ACCREDITED (15) is genuine, tough, gets in with a light weight and he maps well so he’s ticking a lot of boxes. SHEZANALISTER (13) was outclassed last start but fresh is best for her. She’s had a lovely trial between runs and is right in it. Best of the rest is another Melbourne raider, WARNIE (14). He’s been gelded before this preparation and he’s a very interesting horse who was great in his first Australian preparation.

Thomas: ACCREDITED (15) was a sprint find over summer. He should have won first-up then reeled off three wins in a row before finishing unplaced in the Southern Cross Stakes. Accredited resumes after two good trials, he’s drawn well, has a lightweight and will be hard to run down. PEREILLE (9) always sprints well fresh. He’s shaped well in two trials and gets a favourable draw. INFANCY (8) charged home to win the Sapphire Stakes and she would prefer a bigger track, with any luck in running she will be hitting the line hard. OSTRAKA (1) had to do a lot of work last start and had excuses when unplaced as favourite at Randwick. He’s worth another chance but has to overcome the wide draw.

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RACE 10: RAILWAY HOTEL HCP (1200m)

Dufficy:RAIKKONEN (10) looked very good winning a couple last campaign before starting favourite in a Group 3 race and standing in the barriers. He’s had two nice trials leading into this race and I’m happy to go with his potential. KING OF ROSEAU (5) hasn’t won in a while but he’s come back well and I like the way he fought hard going to the line last start. He should be at the top of his game for this race. GUMDROPS (3) is having her first run for the new stable and is worth keeping a close eye on. CRAFTY EAGLE (6) is a proven fresh performer with three of his four career wins coming when first-up from a spell.

Thomas:KING OF ROSEAU (5) has shaped promisingly in two runs from a spell and just missed behind Step Aside at Randwick last start. He’s only won one race but has performed well at a much higher level earlier in his career. Drawn awkwardly but going well enough to be in the finish. MEMORIA (4) doesn’t know how to run a bad race and she will give these something to chase. I can understand why you are keen on RAIKKONEN (10), he has to be among the main chances. CRAFTY EAGLE (6) is resuming, he can be lethal fresh and is way over the odds.

Originally published as Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy’s race-by-race analysis and tips for Gosford on Saturday

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ray-thomas-and-ron-dufficys-racebyrace-analysis-and-tips-for-gosford-on-saturday/news-story/887f2ff5711149376320e8ba74c04428