Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - October 5

4 October 2024

 

Group 1-winning mare Aardies Express (pictured) will relish the inside barrier and a return to her own sex when she lines up in the Frith Stakes at Menangle on Saturday night.

She is one of several big chances for trainer Jason Grimson who has his talented pair of Nerano and Cya Art in the opening two races.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 5
Race 1: PRYDE'S EXCEPTIONAL ALWAYS PACE
NERANO (9) came from the back row to chase his top-class stablemate Swayzee home for third in The Dish at Parkes last start. That was his first outing for eight weeks so it should have improved him and he strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance. ANYTHING GOES (3) is a newcomer to the Pizzuto yard from NZ. Hasn't raced since August but he goes well on the fresh side and was consistent last time in and so can measure up aided by the low draw. PERFECT STRIDE (5) should relish his return to Sydney as he has recorded three wins and a placing in four attempts at this circuit and distance. PETES SAID SO (2) could be a big improver from the low draw while CLASSIE WASHINGTON (8) is racing well and must be respected.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
CYA ART (4) has been racing against stronger company, coming from the back row for fifth to Swayzee at Parkes last start to follow a fourth at Listed level here two back. He won from a wider barrier at this circuit the last time he contested this grade so the class drop suits. WHISKEY CAVALIER (6) was a big improver at his second Sydney start last week, leading from this same draw and going on to score by 1.6m. Should be nearing peak fitness third-up so could go on with it. REGAZZO DI TILLY (2) missed by just a head after racing parked here last week. A lower draw gives him the chance to go one better. TERRY (8) came from this same barrier and got the better of Regazzo Di Tilly in a narrow win last week. Must respect.
Race 3: CORDINA CHICKEN FACTORY OUTLET PACE
DE GOEY (2) has copped wide draws in his last two outings here, missing by just a nose when hampered by a flat tyre two back before tackling stronger opposition in The Stockade last start. He looks nicely placed with a drop in class and a much better draw. CATSEYE BEACH (1) kicked off his campaign with a couple of nice efforts before delivering here last week, working forward from a wider barrier to lead before digging deep for a narrow win. Gets the ace draw and is race fit now so could back that up. OURMATEMENKO (4) found winning form here two back before tackling a higher-graded race last week. This class suits him better. CAULONIA COURAGE (5) has claims off a win from a wider barrier two back.
Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL
FAR OUT RINGO (1) is racing well having made it two wins from his last three starts when he fought hard to score by a nose at Newcastle last week. He possesses early speed so can take advantage of the inside draw. Winning claims again. KING TINTIN (2) has the hoof on the till having come from a few spots wider on the mobile to be beaten a nose at Bathurst last start. Has the benefit of a good draw so could break through. MAMMALS ALIBI (9) made it three Bathurst wins in a row when edging out King Tintin last time. Cops a wider draw but winning form is hard to knock. ISLAND BOUHINIA (10) is another drawn deep but deserves respect having continued her good form with a Wagga win last week.
Race 5: HAPPY 40TH ANDREW BURNETT PACE
MADIGAN (8) left Victoria following a win in a Vicbred Super Series consolation two back and just missed in his first outing for the Alchin yard here last week, going under by a nose. Draws a couple of spots closer to the pegs so is a big chance to go one better. DONEGAL LUTHER (9) looks close to a win after chasing topliner Swayzee home when runner-up in The Dish at Parkes last start. He draws wide but should be ready to peak fourth-up. LUDACROUS (11) is a quality mare who continued a string of placings when runner-up against the girls last week. The outside barrier doesn't make it easy but she was Group 1-placed two back. VINKE B (4) raced wide when placed last week so must come into contention from a lower draw.
Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE FRITH STAKES
AARDIES EXPRESS (1) will relish the return to her own sex after copping a wide draw in the Len Smith Mile last start. Kept up to the mark with a trial win since and came from much wider to score here two back. She loves the mile, winning six of seven attempts and has the speed to take full advantage of the ace draw so will be hard to get past. TAY TAY (2) ended a successful Brisbane winter carnival with an Albion Park win at her last outing in July. Copped some tough draws last campaign including when she came off the back row for third to Aardies Express at Group 3 level. She'll enjoy tonight's draw and was readied for her return with two nice trials. ILLAVABUBBLES (6) finished off her last campaign with a string of fourth placings, two of them behind Aardies Express and Tay Tay and the other in the Group 1 Golden Girl. Can go well fresh off a couple of trials. TREACHEROUS GALL (7) can feature again after placing from a similar draw last week.
Race 7: WHAT THE HILL - A STALLION WHO'S NUMBERS STACK UP! TROTTERS MOBILE
CALIGULA (6) is back from a let-up but his form reads strongly for this having worked forward to lead from a wider barrier before going on to win by 2.7m at this circuit and distance in his last outing six weeks ago. Big chance to pick up where he left off. FUNKY MONKEY (3) looks close to a win after placing in her two starts since a spell, the latest when off a 20m handicap in the G3 Bulli Cup. The good draws gives her every chance to strike third-up. ALDEBARAN ZEUS (4) was a touch disappointing as favourite over further last time when he led but faded to fourth. He won the G1 Trotters Mile the only time he attempted this distance here so could bounce back. ONE MAJIC KENNY (7) must be respected off last week's second from this same draw.
Race 8: OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS @ APG SALES PACE
KANENA PROVLIMA (11) cops a wider draw but hasn't been far from the placegetters when tackling stronger company in his last two outings. Does possess the gate speed to get across into the right spot and is suited in this grade. JILLIBY NITRO (10) is another has been going well in better races having come from a similar draw to beat Kanena Provlima home when missing by just a head as runner-up two back. Strong claims. MAJOR MAJOR (8) missed the placings last time but had kicked off the campaign with a string of top-two finishes including a win over this distance. Races well here at the mile so the drop in trip should suit. SURFERS DELIGHT (7) hasn't been too far away of late so can play a role.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #9 Nerano – Group 1 performer who is nicely placed.
Race 3 #2 De Goey – A much better draw can see him show his best.