Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - October 26

25 October 2024

Leap To Fame’s first appearance in Sydney since his Miracle Mile win in March adds star power to a quality program for NSW Breeders Challenge finals night at Menangle on Saturday.

As well as Leap To Fame in the Battle of Beersheeba, the meeting features four Group 1 races for two and three-year-olds with another two races at Group 3 level for the four-year-olds.
Race 1: HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY NORMA MCNALLY HRNSW RISING STARS
A low draw looks the key to the chances of REGAZZO DI TILLY (2). He hasn't been far away from wider barriers in the last two outings and recorded back-to-back seconds before that, one of them from this barrier. Gets his chance. WHISKEY CAVALIER (8) is going well having scored here two back before placing in the last outing. Draws a little wider but has the gate speed to get across into a prominent spot. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (1) drew the extreme outside when midfield in a Breeders Challenge race last week and had been racing well from wider barriers before that. The inside draw brings him right into contention. DOUBLE ACT (7) is a first-four player off the last-start placing.
Race 2: KARI JC CAFFYN PLATE
OBADIAH DRAGON (11) is a newcomer from New Zealand where he placed in his last three outings at Alexandra Park. Draws wide but was tuned up with a trial win so could kick off on this side of the Tasman with a win. FORCE FULL (12) comes through the Breeders Challenge series where he was midfield in a semi-final last week after recording a win and a placing in the heats. Tough draw but won the only time he attempted this distance here. EMMAS BOY (9) was solid in a decent line-up at Wagga last time and scored at that venue two back. Proven at this circuit and distance so could measure up. WAVETHEBILL (5) draws well and has claims backing up off a solid effort here on Tuesday.
Race 3: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)
The marble has fallen perfectly for FATE AWAITS (1) who also had the inside draw when he won the Group 1 Protostar in Brisbane over the winter. He has been beaten into the placings as a hot favourite in his two NSW starts since then but should be back to his peak now and gets every chance to produce his best. Stablemate PATH TO GREATNESS (3) suffered his first defeat when edged out by just a head from a wider barrier in his semi-final. Beat Fate Awaits when winning two back at Newcastle and a better draw gives him the chance to do it again. HEZATREACHEROUS (8) is four from four this time in and while drawn wider he scored from a similar barrier here earlier in his campaign. Must respect winning form. SANCHEZ (2) added to a string of placings when edged out by Hezatreacherous in the semis. Another low draw can see him involved again. Tough barrier for MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (12) but he is a talent so is worth including.
Race 4: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)
WAR DAN BUDDY (2) was an impressive winner of last week's semi-final when he drew deepest and raced three wide without cover but made a sustained run to score a tough win. Showed strong form in the Vicbred Super Series earlier in his campaign including a heat win and a fourth in the G1 final, both from second row barriers. He should get every chance from this draw. AIR EXPRESS (1) has 3m to make up on War Dan Buddy through last week's semi but he too had to work in that race so the effort was strong. Had won three in a row before that and should enjoy the favours from the inside draw. ROCKU (7) cops a wider draw but his form is hard to knock, adding to a string of wins and placings when taking out last week's semi. ROYAL CRUISER (5) and RAVISHING SLOY (8) are both first four players coming off placings in their respective semis.
Race 5: FRED BORG OAM MEMORIAL NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 3)
CAPTAINS KNOCK (2) bids for a clean sweep of the Breeders Challenge series after winning the two and three-year-old finals over the past two years and his chances received a huge boost when he drew to lead. Beat older rivals to win at Listed level two back then dominated from the front to spank his rivals by 18m in last week's semi. He can do that again. OLIVER DAN (11) draws deep but made it two in a row at this circuit when racing parked but fighting well last week. That was his first outing for six weeks so the hitout should have improved him. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (12) was edged out by Oliver Dan after leading last week and cops the widest barrier but he is a talent capable of winning with his A-game and some luck. MICK DANGER (3) is a first-four hope from the low draw.
Race 6: 24HR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER MACARTHUR TONY AND JILL MCGARTH TROTTERS FFA
ALDEBARAN ZEUS (7) was held up late when just over 6m off champion trotter Just Believe in the G1 Bill Collins Sprint at Melton last start. Made it two from two at this circuit and distance when racing three wide without cover before spanking his rivals by close to 14m two back. Hard to stop off that performance. FUNKY MONKEY (2) recorded her fourth placing from as many starts at this circuit this time in when coming from a 30m handicap and racing wide for a 1.8m second last week. Race fit and gets her chance from a good draw. TORO STRIDE (3) did a good job to place last week and the drop in distance looks the key to his chances as he has recorded five wins and five placings from 10 attempts over the mile here. SUPER SERVICE (1) hasn't been far away of late including a fourth despite breaking last week. Worth including from the ace draw.
Race 7: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA FFA
Champion pacer LEAP TO FAME (8) returns to Sydney after a virus thwarted his Victoria Cup bid. Made it six wins in a row in the Smoken Up Sprint at Melton in his latest outing and the last time he raced here he was a brilliant winner of the Miracle Mile. Doubt a setback will be enough to stop him and he is very hard to tip against. MAX DELIGHT (3) continues to perform well, his last-start fourth in the Victoria Cup following a string of wins and placings at this circuit. Must be respected from the good draw. MAJOR MOTH (12) wasn't too far from the placegetters from a back row draw in the Victoria Cup last start and was a strong Kilmore Cup winner two back. The draw hasn't done him any favours but he won at this circuit and distance earlier in the campaign. NERANO (6) had a tough draw when midfield in the Victoria Cup and led from a wider barrier than this when scoring at this venue and distance two back. DON LOU (9) goes well second-up so is worth including off last week's win.
Race 8: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)
GUNNA RELOAD (4) extended her unbeaten run this campaign to five when she took full advantage of the inside draw, leading to win her semi by 2.7m at this circuit and distance. Draws a few spots wider but led for a dominant win from this barrier here three back. Has the form on the board and can keep it going. NAMAKA (10) showed her class with a fresh win at this circuit and distance then suffered her first defeat when edged out by just a nose in her semi. Draws wide but she is a talented filly who will be peaking third-up. SUGAR PIE HONEY (2) raced up to four wide when third to Gunna Reload last start, adding to a string of wins and placings. She draws to play a role again. OUR SPECIAL MEMORY (7) must be respected having added to a series of top-two finishes by claiming the scalp of Namaka in her first visit to this circuit last start.
Race 9: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)
RENEWAL (3) looks tough to stop from the low draw having led from one spot wider for a 5m win in last week's semi-final. That took her record at this circuit and distance to three wins and a second from four attempts, that lone defeat coming in last season's 2F final of this series. She gets every chance to atone this year. ELUSIVE (1) has won both starts at this circuit since switching from Victoria, last week leading from wider and kicking on well to score by almost 2m. She faces a tougher rival in Renewal but she draws to enjoy the favours. SOAP OPERA (8) drew the inside and was beaten for speed before working home for a 2m third last week. Won twice here from similar barriers to this earlier in the campaign so the wider draw might work in her favour. GOLLY GEE FELLAS (12) locked wheels and was severely checked last time but had won her other three starts this time in so is worth including despite the outside draw.
Race 10: NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO MARES FINAL (GROUP 3)
Quality mare EYE KEEP SMILING (9) - pictured - will have to overcome the widest draw but does have the class edge on this field. Golden Girl winner over the winter and was first-up for five weeks when scoring narrowly last week. Should be fitter for that and class can get her home. LUDACROUS (5) is a consistent mare who added to a string of placings when just a head behind Eye Keep Smiling last week. Draws inside that rival tonight so is a chance to turn the tables. PROMISELAND (8) cops another wide draw but got close to the top two selections from this same barrier last week so deserves respect. NO DRAMAS (4) is a first-four hope.
BEST BETS:
Race 9 #3 Renewal – Smart filly who can take advantage of the good draw.
Race 10 #9 Eye Keep Smiling – Quality mare who has the class to overcome the outside barrier.