Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - April 5

4 April 2025

 

Superstar pacer Swayzee is set to start a raging favourite from an ideal draw when he returns to Menangle for Saturday night’s Joe and Michael Ilsley Free For All.

Last-start Bathurst Gold Chalice and Gold Bracelet placegetters Seathestars and Peace Out headline heats of the Nutrien Sales Classic later on the program.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday April 5
Race 1: J P TALTY MEMORIAL
QUIET STORM (3) has really found his form now, racing parked for a win at this circuit and distance last month then backing it up here last week when proving too good by 3.2m. Takes a step up but draws closer to the pegs than in either of those wins so can land the hat trick. SUPA AMERICAN (10) faded out of the Autumn Gift Final last start but was progressing strongly prior, winning four of his previous five outings. Strikes at 50 per cent at this distance and deserves another chance. STILL ROLLIN (2) overcame a back row barrier to win last start at Bathurst. This is stronger but he draws well and owns an encouraging record at this distance. NOVANTA RISING (8) draws a little deep but has been racing well so respect.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
CHEVRON ART (4) was a beaten favourite here last time but was only 2m from the winner and draws a little closer to the pegs. Recorded a series of top-three finishes prior including a win at this circuit and a placing behind superstar Swayzee in the Renshaw Cup. Top chance. SPECULATING (3) did a good job to lead from the outside barrier before digging deep to get home over this distance here last start. Goes up in grade but is better served by this barrier. RAVISHING SLOY (9) draws wide but is back in form including a win the last time he raced here two back. Go well. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (8) only beat one home when fresh but he usually improves second-up and he had good form here last campaign so looking for a better showing. CAULONIA COURAGE (7) deserves respect after winning two of his past three outings here.
Race 3: DOUBLE AGENT PACE
TERRY (9) continues to race well and enjoys a class drop off his fourth to Group 1 performer Captain Ravishing last week. Came from this barrier when he placed at this venue three back. This is winnable. DOM TORETTO (7) could be close to another win after placing in two of his last three starts here. He draws a little lower than last week and is suited up to a distance where he has only once missed a place in eight starts including three wins. BETTERZIPPIT (10) was beaten a long way when he returned from a year on the sidelines but he has trailed well since so should have come on. Very smart when right so must be kept very safe. MAJOR MAJOR (6) may enjoy the longer trip having missed by just a nose the last time he attempted it here three back.
Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE JOE AND MICHAEL ILSLEY FFA
Star pacer SWAYZEE (2) showed how lethal he is when in front by demolishing his rivals in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith last start and he draws to lead again. Luckless when fourth in the Miracle Mile two back and will relish the longer distance having won all four times he has attempted it here. Hard to tip against him. MAX DELIGHT (3) has had four weeks off since a brave fifth in the Miracle Mile but has been kept up to the mark with a trial win. Classy pacer who looks the only likely danger with the aid of a good draw. FIRE FOX (5) comes up against a couple of topliners but he is working up to a win having placed in his last two outings here. PETES SAID SO (1) has had wide or second row barriers of late so can be more competitive from the ace draw.
Race 5: ROCKET GLENFERN LADYSHIP PACE
TAY TAY (10) has been racing well with a string of top-four finishes in much stronger company, chasing Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo for fourth two back before a second to Group 1 winner Eye Keep Smiling last week. There are no rivals of that quality tonight so she looks very well placed to return to the winners' list. BELLA DANZA (1) has ground to make up on Tay Tay through last week's fourth but she had won the previous two times she raced here and should get a soft run from the ace draw. PANDAIA (8) draws out but won easily from a similar barrier here earlier in the campaign and was good when going under by just a neck against the boys two back. Last-start winner MARIA ALLEGONDA (6) can be competitive again.
Race 6: NUTRIEN SALES CLASSIC 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS HEAT
SEATHESTARS (4) is a progressive colt who led to win last month at Melton and was very good from the back row in both rounds of the Gold Chalice at Bathurst since, clocking in second in his heat before a third in the Group 2 final. Should go forward from this barrier. Strong claims. SINALOA (10) is a colt on the up, making it two wins from four starts this time in when spanking his rivals by 35m at Penrith last start. This is harder and he draws out but must rate highly off that last win. RED SAPPHIRE (5) didn't have a lot of luck from the second line in the Gold Chalice final but was runner-up from a similar draw in his heat prior and also clocked in second the last time he raced here three back. SPITFIRE (7) did some work in his Gold Chalice heat last start but came from tough draws to win his other two starts of the campaign so is worth another chance.
Race 7: NUTRIEN SALES CLASSIC 3YO FILLIES HEAT
PEACE OUT (3) was terrific in both rounds of the Gold Bracelet at Bathurst, surging late to beat Group performer Namaka and win her heat before a brave second from a similar draw to this in the G2 final. Two-time winner at this circuit and distance and looks well placed. SUGAR RUSH (4) was a consistent juvenile of last season and was last seen when runner-up in the rich Sunshine Stars Yearling Sale Final in Brisbane in November. Races well fresh and was fourth in the G1 Breeders Challenge 2F Final the last time she raced here. LONDON BABY (5) chased a good filly when she resumed with a second in a Gold Bracelet heat before a solid showing from the back row in the final. Go well. OUR DANCE MONKEY (9) draws wide and also had a tough barrier in the Gold Bracelet Final last start but has claims off her second in a heat of that series prior. CRUSADER MISS (7) has been racing well from back row draws so can be competitive.
Race 8: TAB TROTTERS MOBILE
LONDON TO A BRICK (9) is a talented trotter who is working his way towards a win. Strong effort for second at Group 1 level in the Hammerhead Mile here two back then chased Inter Dominion winner The Locomotive when placed last time. Draws wide but should be reaching peak fitness. HANOVER DA MOON (5) is hard to knock having put together a string of wins and placings at this circuit. Beat London To A Brick when runner-up her two back and won three of his previous four. Big chance again. ALDEBARAN JENSEN (4) must be respected having kept his manners in check to beat Hanover Da Moon for a win here last week. GEE CEE CALDER (7) switches from a Queensland yard and is unbeaten at this distance so could measure up.
Race 9: NUTRIEN SALES CLASSIC 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS HEAT
PURE GRUNT (4) comes off a solid showing for a midfield finish in the Group 1 Bathurst Gold Crown last start after coming from wider than this to win his heat two back. Capable colt who finds a winnable assignment. SAN SEBASTIAN (1) led from this barrier and kept going to score a strong win by more than 8m at Bathurst last start. Has ground to make up on Pure Grunt through their clash two back but can take advantage of the inside draw again and prove hard to catch. LOCHINVAR LEADER (6) was solid in the Gold Crown series after a couple of decent efforts at this venue. Go well. Blacks Fitzpatrick's debutants NOCTURNAL (9) and MYDNIGHT (3) have both shown enough at the trials to be competitive. Watch the market.
Race 10: HRNSW 4YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
PROHIBITED LOVE (1) led from a few spots wider and stuck on for a 1.7m second last start. Has won three races at this circuit this time in and has the speed to take advantage of the inside draw so could be hard to catch. G O A T (4) has hit form at the right time, coming from behind Prohibited Love for a 1.7m win at this circuit and distance last rime. Draws a few spots wider but could well deliver again. MALIBUU (5) showed improvement with a 5m fourth against stronger rivals last start and was a G2 winner here last season. Could be ready to produce her best. TITAN STRIDE (2) came from this barrier to place behind the top two selections last start. Can be competitive again.
BEST BETS:
Race 6 #4 Seathestars – Terrific in the Gold Chalice series and looks well placed.
Race 8 #9 London To A Brick – Classy trotter building in fitness. Ready to strike.