28 June 2024
Top mare Aardies Express puts her unbeaten record at Menangle on the line on Saturday night when she tackles the boys for the first time in Sydney.
Earlier on the program boom pacer Extreme Sea makes his return to the track having spanked his rivals in his last three starts.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday June 29
Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES TROTTERS MOBILE
CALIGULA (9) was ultra impressive when he showed early speed to lead before clearing right away to spank his rivals by 32m here last week. He should be reaching peak fitness now and while he draws a few spots wider but he has the pace to push forward again. He can go back to back. LONDON TO A BRICK (8) put a first-up mistake behind him when he raced three wide without cover but toughed out a win here last start. He draws deeper but is building in fitness and is big on talent. TORO STRIDE (5) relished the return to a mobile start when he came from a wider barrier for an easy win in the G3 Trotters Mile last week. Has won twice at this longer distance so could go on with it. VICTREE HILL (7) was racing consistently last time in and was readied for his return with a trial win so keep him safe.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
GOLDEN BAY (9) made a winning return here two back then led as favourite and stuck on for second last start, beaten 1.6m. He draws deeper but has the gate speed to get across into a prominent spot and he should be close to peak fitness third up. BARTELLO (3) is going great guns with a hat trick of wins at this venue. He draws well again so can continue the strong form. CHASE THE STARS (2) has yet to miss the top two in Australia and did a good job when beaten a neck here last week. The good draw sees him as a player again. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (11) has been freshened since some good efforts in the regional championship series. Draws deep but he is capable. Last week's winner SPECULATING (4) is deserving of respect.
Race 3: THE CORDINA GROUP PACE
Boom pacer EXTREME SEA (8) has had a month off since demolishing his opposition through the regional championship series. Has won his last three outings at this circuit by an aggregate of 76 metres. He looks bound for much bigger things and is tough to tip against. DOUGS PLATTER (11) didn't perform to market expectations when resuming but is much better than that having ended last campaign with a hat trick of wins at this circuit. Races well second up so expecting better. ARDENS ACE (1) has come from wider barriers to place in his last two outings here and has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw. BLAZING HOME (10) is back after two months but races well when fresh and has been readied with two trials, winning the latest by a big margin. He is worth including.
Race 4: CONFEDERATE STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE
MY ULTIMATE CARTER (3) was beaten as a hot favourite when resuming at Newcastle but did some work outside the leader so wasn't disgraced in missing by a head. Will be fitter for that and can go forward from another low draw. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (1) was solid enough when midfield last week to follow a string of placings. Honest gelding who gets his chance from the ace draw. WAYOUTWEST (9) scored back-to-back Newcastle wins before venturing to this circuit and closing well for second last time out. Draws deep but is racing well. MISTER BLUECHIP (2) suffered his first defeat last start when he came from the back row and finished runner up at Young. Draws much better and has upside.
Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE PAUL FITZPATRICK FFA
AARDIES EXPRESS (3) kept her unbeaten record in Sydney intact when she led from a similar barrier and stuck on to get home narrowly when back from a let-up. That was her first outing since her Queen Elizabeth II Mile win so she'll be better for it and while she tackles the boys this time the draw gives her every chance to deliver again. HOT AND TREACHEROUS (9) made a good return from WA when he missed a smart one by just a head here last start. That was his first outing for seven weeks so he'll be better for it and while he draws deep he is three from three at this circuit and distance. BROOKLYN BRIDGE (7) resumes off strong form last time in and was readied with a solid trial. He strikes at 50 per cent here and has won six of eight attempts at the distance so expect a good return. CAPTAINS KNOCK (8) drew widest when midfield last week and raced wide in his fresh win. Goes well third up so can progress. MISSED THE TRUTH (5) is honest and strikes at 50 per cent when fresh so keep safe.
Race 6: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVIN WILSON LADYSHIP PACE
Smart filly MILLWOOD BLISS (5) has had two months off since winning the Goulburn Rose but races very well when fresh. She is two from two at this circuit and distance and has an impressive overall record, placing up to Group 1 level. She has the class beat the older mares. CARRERA SUNSET (6) was brave when back from a let-up here last time, racing up to four wide but toughing out a win. That took her record at this circuit to three wins and a placing from four attempts and she should strip fitter. Big chance. MORE GOODA (3) added to a string of wins and placings when she came from this draw to miss by a nose here last week. Must respect along with PROMISELAND (7) who was fourth in a G1 the last time she raced here two back.
Race 7: HRNSW 2YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
RAINBOW JESTER (9) was impressive here last start when he raced deep before pushing forward and going on to score by 9m. That took his record to four from five and while he starts from a wide barrier he has proven that he can win from anywhere. Hard to stop. MONTY MONTE (10) has been racing well from similar barriers to this, scoring back-to-back wins at this venue before chasing Rainbow Jester when runner up last time. Has led in each of those so should go forward again and give a sight. MAJESTIC FUNDS (1) broke last time but there was merit in his effort to place from a wide barrier two back. Could feature from the ace draw if he gets it right. ORIA (4) is honest having placed in all three starts to date. Trifecta player again.
Race 8: GARRARDS REAL REWARDS PACE
PETES SAID SO (10) is working up to a win and put the writing on the wall when a 1.3m second to handy one here last week. Draws the outside but is race fit now and this looks a suitable assignment. STRAVINSKY (5) is racing well having placed in all three starts at this venue since a Newcastle win. Came from this same draw and only missed by a neck when favourite last week. Could atone. MACH DA VINCI (9) has taken on much stronger opposition in his two outings since a spell and will be fitter for those hitouts. He is a two-time third-up winner and will find this easier. TITIAN RAIDER (1) can be competitive from the ace draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 6 #5 Millwood Bliss – Smart filly readied for her return with a trial win.
Race 8 #10 Petes Said So – Draws wide but down in grade and ready to peak.