Shayne O'Cass' race-by-race tips, analysis for Randwick on Saturday

News.com.au

22-05-2025

Form expert Shayne O'Cass analyses Saturday's 10-race card at Randwick, presenting his race-by-race tips and analysis.
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MATIMA (4) has a real wet-trackers pedigree being by Lonhro out of a Commands mare out of a Canny Lad mare. The Commands mare is his dam Demerara who won the Silk Stocking on a Heavy 10. The Canny Lad mare is Happy Sailing who beat Phillipa Rush in the 1990 Coolmore. Matima won her Hawkesbury debut 1000m Maiden with a hint of quality if you ask me. ARISTOCRAT (7) has none of the favours that Regulated Affair had in that deep Warwick Farm Maiden. Has a bright future.
Bet: Matima to win
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FIRST MISSION (9) is a Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained son of (Ryan trained) Snitzel. The Wanless owned gelding has two wins, two seconds and a very honourable fifth from his five starts. Worth noting that like his dear old dad, First Mission is one for one on Heavy. ALLEGRO MISS (16) is by another great wet-tracker in Russian Revolution. Dam is by muddie sire Smart Missile, which probably accounts for her Heavy 10 win last start at Newcastle.
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RACE 3: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP 1200m
Got to mention another wet track positive influence here; Cosmic Force, the sire of CHEMTRAIL (11). Cosmic Force will always be remembered for his seven length win in the Pago Pago. As for Chemtrail, Highway master Danny Williams has him perfectly tuned and seasoned for his city visit, third-up, and off an easy win. SO YOU PENCE (2) has been just expertly placed and managed by Matthew Dale hence the almost faultless record. When he wins, he usually thrashes them too.
Bet: Chemtrail each-way, quinella 2, 11, box trifecta 2, 4, 10, 11
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I respect Roger James at any racetrack at any time of the year but times that by ten when it's Brisbane in the winter time. He and co-trainer Robert Wellington are making their way up there, via Randwick, with this incredibly gifted and untapped filly, SHE'S A DEALER (3). Hard to line up New Zealand form at times, but she just looks like a good filly. She could win the Oaks. I maintain AUTOMNE TREE (10) can win the Derby. He's got Gold Trip close up and he just wants to stay.
Bet: She's A Dealer, exacta 3 to beat 10
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TRAPALANDA (15) has been crying out for 2400m since he got here and the Archibald's have got this talented young import there in absolute mint condition. He ran well at his Aussie debut over 1800jm and was even better the next time at the Gosford stand-alone over 2100m. On-pacer (now at the trip) who will handle the wet and stay. VRC St Leger winner AHURIRI (7) won on a Heavy 9 last start over 1900m. Form and timing reads well. GALILAEUS (6) stays, PHILIPSBURG (5) does too and he loves it Heavy.
Bet: Trapalanda to win
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MISS JENNIFER (13) has a pedigree that John Hawkes would take great pride and interest in given her fourth dam was the Hall of Famer's first champion, Toltrice. One other thing about this Danny Williams-trained mare is her fabulous set of numbers at the track, the trip and on all ground. EPIC PROPORTIONS (5) was runner-up at her only Randwick run to Cigar Flick no less. Handles the wet, likes the trip. WINNING PROPOSAL (10) was hard to miss first-up in the same race as the unlucky Miss Jennifer.
Bet: Miss Jennifer each-way
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QUANTUM CAT (14) was only just beaten in that 1800m Benchmark 78 on Hawkesbury Cup Day. He had 58.5kg that day, a good deal more than this Saturday (albeit in a Bm88) but the fact he more or less ticked the Heavy box (first time), gives him some added appeal. That, and the fact that this is 2000m and he has won over 2514m. (12) has numbers that say it better than words can. Best is good enough. ZAPHOD (8) and JAMBEROO (9) have obvious claims.
Bet: Quantum Cat each-way
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GREEN FLY (3), the Frankel son and 'nephew' of the great Japanese galloper Admire Mars, was monumentally impressive when he won at his NSW debut at Rosehill on April 1 beating Cool Jakey, Dark Glitter and co. You could argue that his fifth to Punch Lane here 25-days later was an even better run. Won twice on Heavy. Eager to see how the market treats DIABLO BOLT (9) here. The testing track hasn't made his job of winning first-up easy but he has a good fresh record he trialled well.
Bet: Green Fly to win, Diablo Bolt to place, Daily Double 1st Leg 3, 2nd Leg 10
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KAZALARK (15) was balloted out of a 1400m race at Sandown tomorrow so runs here at the same trip but with the advantage of a Heavy track bearing in mind that his only win so far was on an 8 at Hawkesbury just before his neck second in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle. Pedigree fans take note; his third dam is Riverina Charm. Shapes a big improver. The market will tell a story with GUZUMPED (14) first-up. The son of Dundeel has a good fresh record and is most adept on rain affected tracks.
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Never been to Awapuni myself but I know enough to know that it if you can win on a Heavy 10 there, a Heavy 10 at Randwick will present no issues. Enter SHE'S UNUSUAL (10), the OTI mare from the O'Shea and Charlton barn who boast an exemplary record of three wins and four seconds from eight starts. Stars align, big time. ALLAPERCANTO (8) is two from two on Soft, first-up on a Heavy 9 or 10 or whatever isn't easy but she could be the one late. HELLBENT ON YOU (5) is fit and in-form.