Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - August 2

1 August 2025

Chariots of Fire winner and Eureka favourite Bay Of Biscay (pictured) takes on several Inter Dominion participants when he makes his return to Sydney for the Kevin Newman Free For All at Menangle on Saturday night.

He is one of five starters at the meeting for Victorian trainer Emma Stewart and all look to be winning hopes.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday August 2
Race 1: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE
WAR DAN BUDDY (6) has had five weeks off since an encouraging fresh placing from the back row at Melton but was good here earlier in the year, clocking in second in the Hondo Grattan before a midfield finish from a tough draw in the Chariots of Fire. Races well at this distance and looks nicely placed. Hard to knock the consistency of HORN PLAYER (5) who has placed in all four starts since scoring from a similar barrier in this grade, including a couple of thirds at Listed level. Can be in the finish again. MAJOR PERRY (9) draws wide but has been tackling some good opposition so can measure up in this line-up. KANENA PROVLIMA (10) starts from the outside but returns off the Inter Dominion series where he placed in a heat behind Leap To Fame. NO HEART THROB (7) can measure up in this line-up.
Race 2: D M PLUMBING PACE
JORDY (5) continued his good form when he placed in a higher-graded race at this circuit last week. Recorded three successive top-two finishes in Brisbane prior including a narrow win two back. Draws wider than last week but goes well when contesting this longer distance here. DONEGAL LUTHER (1) kept his manners in check and returned to winning form last week, scoring by more than 5m at this venue and distance. Led throughout there so has the gate speed to take advantage of the inside draw. MORE GOODA (9) draws deep but should find this easier than her last attempt and recorded a win and a placing from her previous two stats here. BARTELLO (2) did a good job to place from a wide barrier last start so will enjoy the low draw. MONTEFIORE (8) was brave in the Winter Cup Final last week, racing three wide without cover but boxing on for a third success placing. Include.
Race 3: BUBBA GUMP PEST CONTROL PACE
DOUBLE ACT (7) gave a good sight here last week, leading and fighting on well for a 1.2m second to an in-form rival. Draws a couple of spots wider but has the gate speed to offset that and is in the division two race this week so looks suited. LAMANDIER (3) steps up in grade but is racing well, overcoming a wide barrier to score at this circuit and distance before a 2.6m second over further last week. Draws to play a role again. It's been a while since MACH DA VINCI (10) has been at his best but he was readied for his return with a trial and his A-game would win this. FAZE OF GLORY (9) has the hoof on the till after back-to-back seconds, the latest at this venue and distance when he came from this same barrier. CAULONIA COURAGE (1) has placed in his last two outings here and draws to play a role again.
Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL
THE GREEK GENERAL (3) returned to winning form over this distance last start, leading from this same barrier to score by 3.8m at Newcastle. Has built a handy record at the mile. Likely to push forward again so could go back-to-back. YUKON BE SERIOUS (2) put three wins together before she raced parked but stuck on to miss by a head at Wagga last start. Hard to knock that form and she draws to make an impact again. REBOUNDER (7) came from a similar barrier when finding winning form at Bathurst last time. Can go on with it. OUR REBEL YELL (12) draws deepest but is going well, adding to a series of top-two finishes when scoring at Wagga last time. GROSSO NASO (11) draws wide but impressed with a 14m win at Tamworth last start so is worth including.
Race 5: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU KEVIN NEWMAN FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)
BAY OF BISCAY (10) returns to Sydney for the first time since completing the Hondo Grattan-Chariots of Fire double earlier in the year. Since then he resumed with a fighting win at Melton, working to the front and digging deep to score narrowly. Has to overcome a wide barrier but goes very well second up with three wins and a placing from four attempts. CAPTAINS KNOCK (9) was very good from tough barriers through the Inter Dominion series, finishing runner-up in two heats before he was buried away on the pegs when midfield in the final. He is well up to winning this. KINGMAN (4) powered to a winning start for Luke McCarthy, cruising home by 35m here last week. This is stronger but he draws lower and it was hard not be impressed by that last effort. CYA ART (3) was very brave with top-four finishes in all three Inter Dominion appearances including his third in the final. Respect from a low draw. CHEVRON ART (2) brings good form from Queensland and draws to be competitive.
Race 6: SUCCESS STUD YEARLING PREP PACE
SIR JIMMY (11) hasn't raced for six weeks but brings strong form from Victoria having won his last two outings at Melton. He'll have to overcome the outside barrier but has the gate speed to get across so expect him to measure right up. MIKI BE GOOD (4) has been racing well with a string of top-three finishes including a second in a similar race to this the last time he raced here. Contender. CHICAGO BART (9) returns from a successful trip to Brisbane where he won two of four starts, the latest by 2m at Albion Park. Draws deep but is going well. BANDIT EYES (1) has been racing well at this circuit, placing in all three starts since a win over this distance. Led and stuck on last time so can give a sight from the inside draw. ROYAL DIVISION (10) made a winning start for the Rixon stable at Penrith. Draws deep this time but is yet to miss a place at this distance.
Race 7: ULTRA AIR PACE
GO MIKI (4) is a progressive colt who has won both starts this time in. Very impressive last time at Melton where he drew on the back row and raced three wide without cover before cruising home by 13m. Was beaten just a nose into second in a NSW Derby heat earlier in the year and won his lone try at the distance. Hard to stop. SOHO THE REAL DEAL (2) has been racing well at this circuit with a win and two placings from his last three starts here. A low draw can see him in the finish again. PERFECT STRANGER (6) is a lightly-raced but progressive gelding who has looked good in winning his two starts since a spell. Draws wider and is up in grade but won his lone try at the distance. SAO PAULO SIMBA (8) hasn't raced since March but is unbeaten fresh. Draws wide but is two from two at the distance and two trial wins suggest he is in good order.
Race 8: MARK SKELTON MEMORIAL TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP
SHEETWEB WEAVER (9) resumes after going through his last campaign unbeaten, winning five times at this circuit along with a Goulburn Cup victory. Has moved to the Anton Golino stable since and should be ready to go off three nice trials. LEAF STRIDE (11) was impressive over this distance last time, coming from a wide barrier to cruise home by 17m. Switches to a standing start but was runner-up under those conditions in his previous outing. JOHNS BOY (3) brings consistent form from Victoria including a nose defeat from a 30m handicap two back so will appreciate starting from the front mark. MALIBUU (4) was a beaten favourite behind Leaf Stride last time but won well here prior so is capable of better. SUNNY GEE (12) can feature again after placing in his last two appearances.
Race 9: TAB LADYSHIP PACE
Last season's Breeders Crown winner KISS (9) has been racing well at Melton, placing in all three starts since a fresh win. Makes her first visit to Sydney but will appreciate the mile having scored a win and a placing in her two attempts. Draws widest but has the class to overcome that. MISSAUDACIOUS (7) comes off a second at Listed level behind Sahara Breeze, a rival Kiss has also placed behind a couple of times of late. Won two of her previous three starts here. Major player. THE ANSWER (2) led from wider last week to score her second win in three starts at this circuit since joining Michael Stanley. Up in grade but strikes at 50 per cent at this distance and has the speed to take advantage of a low draw. BELLA DANZA (6) draws lower than in her last-start fourth and won here prior. Contender. ZENXENA (3) can be competitive again after placing in her last four starts here, the latest from a much wider barrier.
BEST BETS:
Race 3 #7 Double Act – Going well and this race is suitable so looks to offer some value.
Race 7 #4 Go Miki – In-form and progressive colt who could be bound for better things.