Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - June 21

21 June 2024

 

Trainer Brad Hewitt looks set to kick off Saturday night’s Menangle meeting on a strong note with a few of his stable stars going around in the first two races.

Bluto shoots for back-to-back wins in the night's opener before Taipo and Captains Knock clash for the stable in the following race.
Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS PACE
Progressive gelding BLUTO (8) hit his peak when third-up off a let-up here last week, scoring by 2.4m. He showed terrific gate speed to spear across from a similar barrier and lead them up on that occasion. He is building nicely and can go back to back. DOUGS PLATTER (10) resumes having gone to the paddock in strong form, landing a hat trick of wins at this circuit in March. Proven fresh and readied with a trial win so expect a good return. NO HEART THROB (11) galloped out last time but prior form was hard to knock with six wins and a placing in his other seven attempts here. Deserves another chance. VAN BASTEN (9) is in a purple patch of form with four wins on the trot and could take the next step.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
The class of Chariots of Fire placegetter CAPTAINS KNOCK (10) showed through first up when he raced three wide without cover before going on to score by 1.6m. He draws widest and tackles some accomplished rivals but he is building a terrific record at this circuit and distance and should only be improved with a hitout under the belt. Stablemate TAIPO (8) has taken on tough rivals at his last couple and blew his chances by galloping out last week but he is a big talent when on song, coming from a similar draw to this when scoring here three back. He is well up to winning this if on his game. PETES SAID SO (2) is building in fitness and there was merit in his last-start fourth. Gets his best draw of the campaign so far so could peak. JAY OK (6) has placed in both outings since a Newcastle win, the latest a third in the G3 Treuer Memorial. Respect.
Race 3: SUCCESS STUD PACE
HY POACTIVE (8) comes to town with a terrific strike rate. Raced wide and worked from a similar barrier to this but proved too good by 2m in this grade last start at Wagga, his seventh win from just eight starts. Has plenty of potential and can take the next step. Former Kiwi HESASHORETHING (10) was a beaten favourite at his Australian debut but still performed well for second at this circuit. That was his first outing for six weeks so while he cops a wider draw he should be improved. NICHOLAS CAGE (1) was beaten only 3.5m when placed from a wide barrier last week and led to win here three back so has the speed to take advantage of the ace draw. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (7) hasn't been far away of late and can be in the finish.
Race 4: ULTRA AIR PACE
JEWEL MELODY (11) is an accomplished mare resuming and she is used to tackling stronger opposition than this. Yet to score when fresh but was readied with a trial win. Draws deep but her best form would win this. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (3) is consistent and looks close to another win after placing in his last three outings here. Has come from wider barriers in each of those so could break through from the favourable draw. The resuming CAPTAIN RITCHIE (9) owns a decent record at this venue. He cops a wide draw but is proven fresh and has been readied with three trials. CHASE THE STARS (4) steps up in grade but had made a solid start in Australia with two wins and a second from three starts so far.
Race 5: PRYDE'S EXCEPTIONAL ALWAYS PACE
STRAVINSKY (6) has placed in his two outings at this circuit since a Newcastle win and both efforts have had good merit, racing four wide when beaten less than 2m two back and chasing a Group 1 winner last start. Ticking along well and gets his chance to return to the winners' list. L L COOL J (11) chased a topliner when fourth in his first outing for the new yard then improved for a 1.4m second last week. Cops the widest draw but is building nicely. ARDENS ACE (10) showed gate speed to lead here last week and fought on well to go under by just a nose. Draws deeper but has the early pace to get into a handy spot. ROMANEE (8) was first up for more than a month and wasn't too far away here last week so could improve.
Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE YAMAMOTO TROTTERS MILE (GROUP 3)
TORO STRIDE (8) has made mistakes in his last two attempts in standing start races but should relish the return to a mobile having finished runner up under those conditions in his first two starts at this circuit after a spell. Kept up to the mark with a trial win since the last outing and the distance drop suits as he is yet to miss a place at this trip. HOT TO TROT (7) backs up after making a winning return to Sydney on Tuesday where he led from this draw to score by 8m, taking his strike rate here to 50 per cent. Could step up. ALDEBARAN JENSEN (5) performed well to place at big odds last week and is suited coming back to a distance where his record is sound. SATIN STRIDE (2) is consistent and draws well so could be worth a spot in the first four.
Race 7: D M PLUMBING PACE
LOUS DREAM (7) hasn't been too far away at this circuit of late and while a beaten favourite last week he still performed well to place. Draws wider but this looks suitable assignment so could break through if things go his way. RICKOSHAY (3) has been consistent of late and added to a string of top-four finishes when coming from a wider barrier last week. He is a player from the good draw. TITIAN RAIDER (2) was a touch below market expectations when midfield last week but had placed at his previous two including a 1.2m second here two back. Draws well so is worth another chance. AMORE INFIDA (5) draws better than last week and has claims off a placing two back.
Race 8: IRT YOUR HORSE OUR PASSION TROTTERS MOBILE
CALIGULA (7) was let down by manners when fresh but showed good improvement when beaten just a head into second from this same barrier here last start. That put the writing on the wall and he has won four of six previous third-up attempts so can peak tonight. SUNNY GEE (5) found winning form here last week he led from a wider barrier and went on to score by 2.6m. The draw closer to the pegs gives him the chance to double up. THEBESTBOURBON (8) is working towards another win and did a good job to place behind Sunny Gee here last week. Respect. DOWN UNDER EARL (2) was a big winner two back and performed well from this draw last week so include.
BEST BETS:
Race 5 #6 Stravinsky – Has placed behind some decent rivals at his last two. This is winnable.
Race 8 #7 Caligula– Didn't miss by much last start and flies third-up so can peak.