Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - January 11

10 January 2025

 

In-form gelding Bainbridge (pictured) will have to overcome a wide barrier if he is to land Saturday night’s feature race at Menangle, the New Years Gift Final.

Unbeaten mare Shez Sweet Louise comes to the city for the first time and she too cops a wide draw when she tackles the girls in the evening's opening event.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday January 11
Race 1: WHAT THE HILL - HIS NUMBERS STACK UP! LADYSHIP PACE
A wide draw presents a new challenge for the unbeaten SHEZ SWEET LOUISE (10) but she is impossible to knock having stretched her perfect record to five in the Inter City Pace at Maitland last start. Returns to her own sex and won the Listed Red Ochre Classic at Dubbo the last time she raced against the mares. Has the pace to offset the barrier so is hard to go past. SWEET MAMA (1) is really delivering now having won her last two outings by big margins. Takes a step up but she has the speed to take advantage of the inside draw. JOELITA (6) recorded back-to-back placings prior to the latest effort including a Listed second the last time she tackled the mares. MY CRACKLING ROSIE (4) in an honest mare who came from a wide barrier for a fresh win. Steps up but can be competitive from a better draw. TALLULAH LEE (8) brings good form from Victoria and owns a strong record at the distance so could measure up.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
JORDY (4) broke in the score-up and settled back in the field last week so there was merit in his effort to finish fourth behind a smart one in a higher-graded race. Won at this circuit the last time he raced in this company last month so looks well placed. PROMISING (6) has recorded a string of placings since winning in this grade at Penrith, last week finishing in front of Jordy when third. Draws wider but he too is suited coming back in class. CABANA (2) jumps in grade but draws well and was impressive when romping home by nearly 16m last start at Penrith. ONE FOR THE RODI (1) has been solid in finishing fourth from tougher barriers at his last couple so must be respected from the ace draw. KING TINTIN (5) steps up in grade off the fresh win but has upside.
Race 3: PRYDE'S EASIFEED PACE
Former Kiwi LAVER (8) made an impressive start in Australia when he led and kept going to score by 5.3m at this circuit last week. Draws wider and steps up in distance but should only be improved second-up so can go on with it. DOM TORETTO (9) was far from disgraced when fifth from the back row behind Swayzee in the Shirley Turnbull Memorial last start. Recorded two wins and a placing from his previous three outings here and goes well at this distance, yet to miss a place in five attempts. STRAVINSKY (3) is working towards another win having recorded back-to-back placings, leading from a similar draw when runner-up here on Tuesday. MAJOR MAJOR (4) was close to the placings last week and draws lower while KOSIMO (1) could be a big improver from the ace draw.
Race 4: HYLAND SPORTSWEAR PACE
PETES SAID SO (6) did a good job to come from the outside barrier and place at Listed level here last week, finishing 2.3m behind the progressive winner. Has been tackling good company of late and managed to win an Inter Dominion heat last month. This is winnable. NYACK (4) has been freshened since the Inter Dominion series where he produced some good efforts, finishing midfield in the consolation last start and fourth in a heat here two back, both times when off the back row. Major player. LINE UP (2) found winning form last start and it wouldn't shock to see him in the finish again from the favourable barrier. STAR MAJOR (5) was shuffled back in the field last week but dug deep to win here two back so is worthy of another chance. ARDENS ACE (1) hasn't been far from the placings from tougher barriers at his last couple so could play a role from the ace draw.
Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE BERT ALLEY NEW YEARS GIFT FINAL
BAINBRIDGE (10) is in terrific form with three wins and a second to a budding star in his four starts this time in. Too good when leading last week and while he draws much wider he did kick off his campaign with a win from a similar barrier. Just needs even luck and he can win again. COMPETE (2) is hard to knock having won his last three starts at this circuit and distance. Has come from wider barriers than this each time but has had enough speed to find the front so expect him to take advantage of the low draw. That could see him tough to stop. SMOOTH BUZZ (4) added to a string of wins and placings when he led from this barrier and scored by 1.3m last week. He can be in the finish again. MAJOR HOT (6) is working his way back into form, making it back-to-back seconds when he raced three wide but kept chasing behind Bainbridge last week. He could be ready to deliver. RESET THE BAR (12) cops the outside barrier but is progressive so include.
Race 6: ACCESS GROUP SOLUTIONS INTEGRATED SERVICES PACE
TITIAN RAIDER (5) looks close to a win after adding to a string of top-four finishes by leading from this draw and sticking on for third here last week. Most of his wins have come at this shorter distance so could prove hard to stop. CASH AND BLING (8) cops a wide draw but his recent consistency is hard to knock. Raced parked and stuck on okay when fourth here last week. With a touch of luck he has winning claims. SURF ACE (9) draws much wider than last week but there was plenty of merit in that performance, his third runner-up result from his last four outings. A low draw brings HAS THE COURAGE (2) into calculations while MISTER MANAGER (3) brings decent form from country tracks and draws to be competitive.
Race 7: CONFEDERATE STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE
MR TEDDY (2) has been impressive in winning his two starts at Penrith since joining the Conolly yard, last week leading from this same draw and cruising home by 18m. Has the speed to take advantage of the good draw again so looks a big chance to land the hat trick. FASHION ICON (8) draws wide but has been racing well from back row draws of late, winning despite working two back at Maitland then again racing parked when placed in the Inter City Pace Final last start. Race fit now and is a player with even luck. SECRET SEA (5) made it back-to-back wins when scoring two back at Bathurst before a midfield finish here last week. Has upside and goes well at this longer distance with a win and a placing from two attempts. THE METAL FLYER (1) was midfield in a decent line-up last week and the prior form was consistent. Can be competitive from the ace draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #4 Jordy – Down in grade and finds a winnable assignment.
Race 3 #8 Laver– Impressive first up and can go through the grades.