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Ray and Duff’s Rosehill tips: Snack Bar a feast for punters in 2024 Tapp-Craig

Punters are expecting gun colt Broadsiding to be winning the Caulfield Guineas, but Ron Dufficy thinks there’s another Godolphin runner that can fatten our wallets. Get Duff and Ray Thomas’ best bets for Rosehill on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
10 min read
October 11, 2024 - 1:09PM
Hold All Tickets - Punters (Episode 7) 12-10-24

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph’s Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Ron Dufficy debate all the big chances on the 10-race card at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

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DUFF’S ROSEHILL TIPS

BEST BET
Race 6 No.5 SNACK BAR

BEST VALUE
Race 3 No.3 SHAIYHAR

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RACE 1: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400m)

Ron Dufficy: ALABAMA STATE (16) gets his chance. He’s got a good draw, no weight on his back, finds a suitable race and if he holds his form, he is going to be hard to beat. TREIZE (9) has been kept fresh since a nice second-up run so she is peaking now and giving plenty of cheek at the 1400m third-up now. CHEERFUL LEGEND (1) has that big weight but he is fit off three runs back off a long spell and just has to overcome a sticky draw. MONTE KATE (11) has got good honest form and has her foot on the till in one of these Midways.

Ray Thomas: ALABAMA STATE (16) had to change course a couple of times in the straight and was unlucky when closing strongly for second in a Midway last start. He’s drawn well and should get the right run. If he gets clear galloping room from the turn, he will go close. APOLLO MISSION (4) has been impressive in successive starts at Kembla Grange and although this is tougher, he’s going to run well again. PEACE OFFICER (2) is racing consistently without winning but if he gets some luck in running, he will go close. TREIZE (9) has been improved by two runs from a spell and gets all the favours.

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RACE 2: TAB HIGHWAY (1500m)

Dufficy: I am having a wild throw at the stumps here with DON STEFANO (3). He showed a little bit of staying talent at the end of last preparation and I think he’s got more to offer. He is a young horse and if he gets a bit of speed up front, he might charge over the top of them. WIGGLES (2) has had a month since a good honest run at this level last start. He gets the claim today and gets his opportunity. BALLINDERRY SAL (17) has had two total forgive runs of late and she’s better than what we have seen so I just feel with the good draw, she is the biggest improver. ONE BEAT NO BEAT (4) has a wide draw but handed in a lovely trial since an inconclusive first-up run.

Thomas: Anything could win this race, Ronnie. I’m leaning to OCCHIATA (11). She was held up and easing off heels in the straight before finally getting into the clear and running on strongly for fourth in a Highway last start. She’s drawn wide and is $13 in a very open race but she’s ready to win. EGYPTOLOGIST (15) is chasing a hat-trick of wins after impressive efforts at Mudgee and Dubbo. RAJNISH (1) was outclassed in the Dubbo Cup but can improve sharply this grade. WHO EVER THOUGHT (9) led all the way and won easily at Taree. He will give them something to chase again if he can get across from his wide barrier without using up too much energy.

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RACE 3: VALE JOHN NICHOLSON HCP (2000m)

Dufficy: I am quite keen on the Melbourne visitor, SHAIYHAR (3). He’s a French import who has two runs the Sydney way of going and won them both overseas. There was a lot of merit in his first-up run, too. MEDATSU (9) is down in the weights, and with bit of speed on up front, he finds himself well placed here. He just wasn’t suited back in distance at Dubbo. BEAR ON THE LOOSE (6) was good first-up. He is short enough here but has obvious claims.

Thomas: I’m with BEAR ON THE LOOSE (6). He was having his first run in more than two months and did well to lead most of the way before being ambushed late by Floating over the Randwick mile course. Bear On The Loose will be improved by the run and gets complete control here. MARE OF MT BULLER (8) was terrific first-up then worked home without really threatening last start. She will appreciate going to 2000m. ROMA AVENUE (7)’s run last start was better than it looked.

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RACE 4: GLOAMING STAKES (1800m)

Dufficy: Hoping I’m not one run short with HENLEIN (2). He looks a really nice horse moving forward but I just can’t let him go here. He’s a promising Dundeel colt who is going to get a long way back, giving them a big start and he is hard to hold out. SWIFTFALCON (1) on the back-up has to be the one to beat. He impressed in the Dulcify last week and gives every indication 1800m will be okay. DUVANA (4) only won a maiden last start but he has always been a horse I have liked and he may be turning the corner with the typical Chris Waller timing. TENBURY WELLS (5) is hard not to like. He’s a good tough on-pacer who will give himself every opportunity and has a 2000m win under his belt.

Thomas: SWIFTFALCON (1) was very impressive charging through the line to win the Dulcify Stakes over the Randwick mile course last start. He is on a three-race winning streak and is very progressive. There’s no issue going to 1800m, too. I can see where you are coming from with HENLEIN (2). He ran competitively in a strong Ming Dynasty Quality finishing sixth behind subsequent Group 1 winner Lady Shenandoah then caught the eye with his fast finishing second in the Stutt Stakes. He will enjoy getting out in distance. TENBURY WELLS (5) is an emerging young stayer who has gapped his rivals in successive Kembla wins. He’s talented and is up to this level. EL CASTELLO (3) fights hard in his races and keeps winning. DUVANA (4) romped home last start and is promising.

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RACE 5: ROMAN CONSUL STAKES (1200m)

Dufficy: I don’t think there was any fluke at all in PERSPIRATION (5)’s win the other day. I like this horse. I am thinking he is a big improver and convinced he hasn’t been right yet so there is more to come. Happy to be with him. COLEMAN (1) is his biggest problem. He is a Golden Slipper placegetter, back to his own age here after two acceptable Group 1 runs against the older horses. GATSBY’S (4) fought it out okay last start and he should run well again. HIGH OCTANE (8) has trialled nicely since last start and he maps nicely from the inside draw and has a chance.

Thomas: I’m taking SWITZERLAND (2) on trust here. He was poor when resuming in the Run To The Rose but has been freshened since and his recent trial was eye-catching. He’s a gifted colt and will be in a controlling position from his good draw. SPIRIT OF WEALTH (11) is a flying machine. She has blitzed her rivals with sustained spirit in much easier grade since resuming and it will be interesting to see how she measures up against some talented colts. GATSBY’S (4) was beaten fair and square by Perspiration last start and both command respect. COLEMAN (1) was the Golden Slipper runner-up by a narrow margin the last time he raced on this track.

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RACE 6: TAPP-CRAIG (1400m)

Dufficy: I’m very keen on SNACK BAR (5) here. He looks primed to me third-up with a lovely tick-over trial since last start. He’s an adaptable type, proven at the distance, so a good gamble on him. JUST PARTY (6) on the back-up, back in distance with the blinkers looks a major player. MORE TERRITORIES (12) looks well weighted in a race like this considering her rating. She’s got the blinkers on so the filly may stand up here. KING OF ROSEAU (3) is a query at the distance but I think he has still got improvement to come at odds.

Thomas: SNACK BAR (5) raced on speed and fought hard when beaten less than a half length behind Lady Shenandoah and Mayfair in the Ming Dynasty Stakes last start. The winner has since romped home in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Mayfair was a close third in the Group 1 Golden Rose to frank the form. Snack Bar might need to do a bit of work early to get across from his wide barrier but he’s the one to beat. ANODE (2) split Traffic Warden and Storm Boy first-up in the Run To The Rose then failed in the Golden Rose but is much better suited here. JUST PARTY (6) was a close fourth in the Ming Dynasty two starts back and is better suited coming back to 1400m here. MORE TERRITORIES (12) is an emerging filly not without a chance.

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RACE 7: HILL STAKES (1900m)

Dufficy: I’m going with ROYAL PATRONAGE (2) here. I think on the back-up at 1900m, although he is well found in the market, he is likeable and hard to run down. KOVALICA (4) hasn’t won in a while but it’s a lovely set up for him. Both of these horses from the Epsom look well placed and ready to perform. GOLDEN PATH (6) comes out of a very strong looking Kingston Town Stakes last start so that’s going to be attractive for plenty here. NONCONFORMIST (5) is from an astute stable, he’s been kept fresh since a good first-up run and is dangerous.

Thomas: PERICLES (1) has been racing well in Melbourne, winning the So You Think Stakes in a romp then finishing third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. He was runner-up in a Rosehill Guineas over 2000m here earlier in his career and gets the run of the race from barrier four. He will be in the finish. ROYAL PATRONAGE (2) is on the back-up after his game effort to race on speed and hold on for third in the Epsom. Talented import but drawn awkwardly again. GOLDEN PATH (6) won three straight before finishing third to Eliyass and Ceolwulf in the Kingston Town Stakes. How strong does that form look now! KOVALICA (4) didn’t have the best of luck in the Epsom and has to be among the main chances.

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RACE 8: ALAN BROWN STAKES (1400m)

Dufficy: Virtually impossible, Ray. I have landed on BELCLARE (7). The saddle slipped on her in the Sheraco when she went out far too hard in front after some brilliant trials. I love the way they rode her back in a recent trial since that run and she hit the line really well. She’s a Group 1 winner at a mile so I’m with her. SEMANA (5) is too good a mare not to give another chance from barrier one. She lost the race at the start last time. AMENABLE (4) probably would have been top pick from a better draw. Similar to him, he had to give too much start in a race that didn’t suit last time. LINDERMANN (1) is trialling the house down and to think he is 25/1 here is a little bit silly so he has to go in.

Thomas: I’ve got four totally different selections. I’m leaning to MAKARENA (16). She has drawn wide and is at generous odds near double figures but she’s going to go close again because she doesn’t know how to run a bad race. She was too good for Amelia’s Jewel over the Rosehill 1400m course in the Golden Pendant and that form reads well for this race. The under-rated ENCAP (9) was wide throughout and still found a way to win the Theo Marks Stakes. He’s a big chance again as is GRINGOTTS (10). He should have won the Tramway Handicap first-up and will be improved. TERRA MATER (11) has never been in better form and is not out of her depth here.

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RACE 9: THE NIVISON (1200m)

Dufficy: I am going with a bit of value in BLANC DE BLANC (9). She has had her two runs back now, I know she hasn’t won since her first start a long time ago, but I think she’s come back in good form, she presents so well, she’s fit and can go forward in a race that lacks horses that race on speed. OLENTIA (3) looks a really good mare but just one soft trial off a longer break this preparation is some concern but she still might be too good for them. COCO JAMBOO (4) was good winning first-up last preparation in a Group race and her trials are okay. ROYAL MERCHANT (1) is a big improver. She wasn’t ready first-up and has trialled nicely since.

Thomas: We are on the same page with BLANC DE BLANC (9). I can’t add much more except both her runs this campaign has been good, and she gets in on the limit weight. She should not be at double figure odds. COCO JAMBOO (4) races well fresh and won the Hawkesbury Crown when resuming last preparation. ROOTS (2) tried hard when second to Terra Mater in the Tibbie Stakes which is good form for this race. OLENTIA (3) won the Emancipation Stakes when last in work and she has near impeccable fresh form.

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RACE 10: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HCP (1100m)

Dufficy: Hard to get away from the favourite if she executes well here – PHARARI (10). She is a bit of a problem at the barrier and she has to go in early but with a clean getaway, she looks clear top pick. DOLLAR MAGIC (5) is just so genuine and honest. She never runs a bad race and she’s a good little chance. I don’t mind STROMBOLI (4)’s two runs back from a spell and he had no luck last start. I would have specked him from a little bit better draw. CONFESS OUR DREAMS (13) is very sharp and is going to give a great sight up front.

Thomas: PHARARI (10) struck trouble in the straight and didn’t really get into the clear until the race was all over when a fast finishing third over 1100m two weeks ago. This is a similar grade of race and she is drawn to get an economical run from the inside barrier. PASSEGGIATA (9) is very fast but the wide barrier is a leveller. CONFESS OUR DREAMS (13)been improved by two runs from a spell and would have been nearly top pick with a better barrier. GENTLY ROLLED (2) is a talented mare and will be charging home.

Originally published as Ray and Duff’s Rosehill tips: Snack Bar a feast for punters in 2024 Tapp-Craig

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/horse-racing/ray-and-duffs-rosehill-tips-snack-bar-a-feast-for-punters-in-2024-tappcraig/news-story/9d4bd9c0efa6047421b48d2870ba0c17