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By Ray Hickson

Daysee. Dixie. Is there a more iconic thoroughbred duo in Sydney racing right now?

Trainer Ron Quinton. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The Ron Quinton stablemates are at it again at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, clashing for the 10th time in their careers (Dixie 5, Daysee 4) in the Group 2 $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m).

And in a quirk in the two mares’ form it seems the leger may swing to Daysee Doom, who has beaten Dixie Blossoms home in four of the five times they have raced at Rosehill including when they ran one-two in the corresponding race last year.

Quinton isn’t quite sold on the theory that it’s go with Daysee at Rosehill (who has never won at Randwick but claimed five of her nine wins at Rosehill) and Dixie at Randwick (where she’s won four of her six races but none from nine at Rosehill).

“Dixie has been unlucky a couple of times at Rosehill and that’s what tends to happen to backmarkers,’’ Quinton said.

“I’m not saying she’s no good at Rosehill because last year she was narrowly beaten in this race.’’

TAB is siding with Dixie Blossoms who was $5.50 on Thursday with the defending Golden Pendant champ Daysee Doom at $7.

Dixie Blossoms had her first run this spring in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and finished a close third behind Comin’ Through, with jockey Christian Reith firing in an unsuccessful protest against the winner for interference early in the straight.

Punters Intel data reveals she ran 33.20 for her last 600m, equal third fastest of the race, showing she had returned as well as ever.

“We were confident she would run really well, her work had been good and her blood was really good,’’ Quinton said.

“She looked a bit wintry, she looks better in the coat again and has gone on well between runs.’’

Daysee Doom’s win in last year’s Golden Pendant handed Quinton his fourth success in the race following Peeping (2015), La Rieuse (2001) and Brief Kiss (1999) and she’ll be out to be the first to win the race twice.

Quinton said her first-up sixth, beaten four lengths by Invincibella, in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on a heavy track two weeks ago should be overlooked when assessing her chances.

With a rare favourable barrier he’s hoping jockey Andrew Adkins can atone for what Quinton said was an error of judgment.

“The other day she was never going to get in then Andrew kept improving on her all the way and they just can’t keep going,’’ he said.

Daysee Doom narrowly beats Dixie Blossoms in the 2017 Golden Pendant at Rosehill

“He probably should have stayed back where he was at the beginning and he’d be back with the winner.

“It was a bad track and a bad run. You just have to cast that aside a bit.’’

Quinton kicks off the Rosehill card with a horse he has plenty of time for in lightly raced three-year-old Royal Celebration.

The gelding ($6) hasn’t raced since chasing home The Autumn Sun at Randwick back in May and Quinton has been pleased with his progress ahead of the Cabra-Vale Diggers Club Handicap (1300m) but not the outside barrier.

“It’s awkward that’s for sure. He’s a horse that will probably go forward a bit, it’s no good dragging him back to last,’’ he said.

“Hopefully they spread a little bit. I’ll have a good talk to Andrew in due course and try to plot a bit of a plan.

“What happens on Saturday will have a big bearing on where I think he might go.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday