Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - October 19

18 October 2024

 

Captains Knock will ramp up his bid for a clean sweep of the Breeders Challenge series when he steps out on semi-finals night at Menangle on Saturday having won the two and three-year-old finals over the past two years.

Leading Victorian trainer Emma Stewart brings last year's APG Gold Bullion winner War Dan Buddy back to Sydney along with Pink Diamond-winning stablemate Renewal who tackles progressive local Golly Gee Fellas.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 19
Race 1: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NIGHT TROTTING PACE
DANGEROUS (9) took on a strong field at Melton last start but had looked close to a win before that when recording back-to-back placings at this circuit including a 3.2m second in The Stockade. Draws wide but this looks a suitable assignment. REGAZZO DI TILLY (7) drew wide and was held up last start so prepared to forgive that. Was runner up at his previous two outings so can do better from a lower draw. TREACHEROUS GALL (2) takes on the boys but has performed well against some handy mares recently and draws nicely. OOGA CHAKA (4) rises in grade but won well when fresh so could take the next step.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
SPECULATING (1) has been racing well from wider barriers, scoring three back and producing solid efforts since including last week's 1.7m third. Has led in each of those so has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw. CATSEYE BEACH (6) led and fought on well when going under by just a head last start. Draws deeper but had led from a wider barrier than this when scoring here two back. In form and has strong claims. HESASHORETHING (11) cops a wider draw tonight but there was merit in his resuming effort when he led for a 2.8m win at this circuit. AMERICAN HAMMER (4) continues to race well and has claims off a 1.1m third from a wider barrier last week.
Race 3: CLUB MENANGLE KEVIN ROBINSON FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)
ANYTHING GOES (2) put the writing on the wall in his second Australian outing when runner-up at Listed level at this circuit last week. Back in distance but draws well and should be hitting peak fitness now. DON LOU (6) produced some good efforts over the Queensland winter carnival including a G3 placing and midfield finish behind Leap To Fame in the Sunshine Sprint. Readied with a trial win and has won when fresh before so expect a strong return. PERFECT STRIDE (9) chased a handy one when a 1.7m second last start. He draws wider but owns a decent record at this circuit. CLASSIE WASHINGTON (5) hasn't been far away since a Listed win here last month so deserves respect along with JILLIBY NITRO (4) who wasn't too far off the placings from a wide barrier last time.
Race 4: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
WAR DAN BUDDY (11) cops the widest draw but he is in good form having crossed to the lead and dominated his heat at Wagga last start. Performed well through the Vicbred Super Series before that having won a heat and finished fourth in the G1 final from a tough draw. Won last season's APG Gold Bullion Final here. Can win if things go his way from the barrier. AIR EXPRESS (4) is a progressive colt who headed south off back-to-back Albion Park wins and delivered again here last start, racing three wide but digging deep. The good draw gives him every chance to score again. RAVISHING SLOY (2) will find this easier than his last attempt in the Victoria Derby. Had kicked off his campaign with back-to-back wins at this circuit and is drawn to advantage. DANGEROUS THREATS (6) is very reliable having put together a string of wins and placings. Can play a role again. OUR GOAT (10) draws wide but deserves respect off the last-start win.
Race 5: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
ROYAL CRUISER (1) drew wide when tackling older rivals last week so was far from disgraced when beaten 4m. He had put four wins together before that and likes to lead in his races so is well served by the inside draw. That should see him hard to catch. FORCE FULL (3) is racing well with three wins and a placing from his last four starts. Led from one spot wider when a dominant heat winner here last time. Must rate highly off that performance. IRON CLAD (11) draws deep but is in good form having added to a string of wins and placings with a fighting victory in his heat at Newcastle last start. ROCKU (4) brings consistent form from the country so can play a role while DRAGON (7) deserves respect after missing Iron Clad by just a nose last start.
Race 6: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
CAPTAINS KNOCK (1) showed his class with a Listed win from this same barrier here last week. Drops back to a distance where he owns an impressive strike rate and has the gate speed to take full advantage of the inside draw again. Looks to have the class edge on this field so will take beating. MONTALBANO (7) dug deep to get home narrowly last week, giving him two wins and a second from his last three outings here. Draws wider but is going well. MICK DANGER (2) was a touch disappointing behind Montalbano last week but scored back-to-back wins from wide barriers here last month. Draws well so is worth another chance. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (10) cops the widest draw but is racing well having placed in five of six starts since winning here so deserves respect. SMOOTH BUZZ (4) could play a role from this draw.
Race 7: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (2) was far from disgraced in the Smoken Up Sprint last start when he drew on the back row and finished within 10m of Leap To fame. He'll relish the class drop and has won five races at Melton this campaign so is a talent. Gets every chance from this draw. OLIVER DAN (4) has had six weeks off since winning The Stockade here last start and Cameron Hart sticks with him. Goes well on the fresh side so can pose a threat with his A-game. I BREAK THE LINE (9) draws out but hasn't been far away of late and owns a decent record at this circuit and distance. HY POACTIVE (3) draws well so is an exotic player along with VAN BASTEN (5) who improved to place last start.
Race 8: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL
RENEWAL (4) was too classy in her heat at Wagga last start when she led from this barrier and kept going. Performed well in the Vicbred Super Series before that including a semi-final win and a fifth in the Group 1 final, both times when off the back row. Won the Pink Diamond Stakes the last time she raced here, taking her record at this circuit to two wins and a placing from three visits. Top chance. GOLLY GEE FELLAS (3) is a progressive filly who has won all three starts this time. Raced parked from this barrier to win her heat two back, maintaining an unbeaten record at this circuit and distance. Big chance again. LIBBY LOU (8) made it back-to-back placings when third from a similar barrier last start and should be hitting peak fitness now. MY BULA BUS (2) wasn't far away last start and draws low so could get into the exotics.
Race 9: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL
ELUSIVE (4) proved too good in her heat here last start, leading from a couple of spots wider and going on to score by 1.4m. That took her record at this circuit and distance to two wins and a placing from four attempts. She can deliver again. SOAP OPERA (1) looks a big improver from the inside draw. She was only fifth to Elusive last start but came from the extreme outside barrier and broke. Had won three in a row before that including a last-to-first victory in the G2 Breeders Challenge Blue final here two back so is capable. SWEET HAYLEY JANE (7) continued a run of top-four finishes at this venue when runner-up to Elusive last start. Draws wider but only went under by a neck from a similar barrier two back.
Race 10: SUMMERTIME PREMIUM POULTRY TROTTER STANDING START HANDICAP
FUNKY MONKEY (11) is building in fitness and looks close to a win after placing in all three starts this time in. Cops a 30m handicap but has performed well from standing starts in the past including a G3 third two back. TORO STRIDE (9) has trialled since he led and faded last start and the prior form was strong, winning four of his previous seven. Can bounce back. Last week's winner SPEEDY LOVER (7) is going well and looks a player again after winning two of the past three outings. SLEEPEE (10) is a query at the stand start but hinted at a return to form when chasing a G1 winner as runner-up last start while SUPER SERVICE (4) can also be in the finish.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #1 Speculating – Racing well from wider barriers and draws the pegs tonight.
Race 5 #1 Royal Cruiser – Loves to lead so can dictate from the ace draw.