Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - October 18

17 October 2025

 

Several Group 1 performers will stake their claim for berths in next week’s Breeders Challenge deciders when the semi-finals for three-year-olds and four-year-old entires and geldings are staged at Menangle on Saturday night.

The meeting also sees the return of Captains Knock (pictured) for the first time since he was nosed out of the Len Smith Mile last month.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 18
Race 1: MACARTHUR ENGINEERING PACE
OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (7) has the hoof on the till after finishing runner-up in his last two outings at this circuit, both from wider draws. Comes back in distance but should be hitting peak fitness so could go one better. FRANCO TYSON (8) has improved with each start this time in and put the writing on the wall when runner-up here on Monday. Draws a couple of spots wider but with race fitness on his side now could strike. UNFAZED (5) continues to race well having won at this circuit and distance last month and finished top-four in each outing since, coming from wider draws than this each time. DOUBLE ACT (4) hasn't been far away at his last couple and should get his chance from the favourable barrier. The inside draw gives TERRY (1) the chance to show his best.
Race 2: ST JOHNS PARK BOWLING CLUB LES CHANT FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)
CAPTAINS KNOCK (10) has had six weeks off since his brave second in the Len Smith Mile when edged out on the line. Races well when on the fresh side and while he draws deepest he also came from wide barriers for a win and a second in Listed races in his previous two attempts here. BEACH BALL (7) is building nicely into his preparation, improving off his fresh fourth to place behind two smart rivals last time. Should strip fitter again so could strike. Prepared to forgive RIPP (9) for his unplaced effort last week as he was forced to race three wide without cover. Came from this barrier for a win and a second in his previous two outings here so deserves another chance. BETTERTHANCASH (6) draws wider but deserves respect after returning to form with a Listed win last week.
Race 3: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL
GUNNA RELOAD (4) progressed off her resuming third as favourite for a strong heat win at this circuit and distance last time, crossing from a wide barrier to lead before scoring by 8m. She has the speed to take advantage of the good draw and is two from two when third-up so should be close to her peak. NAMAKA (1) is another that overcame a wide barrier here last time, digging deep to get home narrowly. Beat Gunna Reload when runner-up in her previous outing and the ace draw gives her the chance to do it again. The outside barrier presents a new challenge for SMIRKIN SERENE (12) but she is hard to knock having landed her fifth straight win and maintained an unbeaten record at this circuit and distance when too good last time. TENACIOUSLY (7) appreciated the return to fillies grade when winning two back at Bathurst and was good against older rivals since. RIKIBREAL (3) is progressive and draws to be competitive.
Race 4: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL
SUGAR PIE HONEY (7) was very impressive when she cruised home by 12m over some handy rivals when resuming in the heats. Should only be improved by that and is building a strong record at this circuit and distance. Won the two-year-old fillies final of this series last year and could be on track to do it again. MANHATTEN CHICK (4) is a consistent filly who led from this barrier and fought on to go under by just a head last start. Can push forward again so should be competitive. WEONA MISS MIKI (1) is a progressive filly who made it two wins in a row when she came from this barrier to beat older rivals at Wagga. Can give a sight. PEACE OUT (2) kicked off her preparation with three straight placings before delivering from this barrier last start. Looks to be hitting form at the right time.
Race 5: CK RECRUITMENT PACE
OUR SAYDIE KAY (1) looks close to another win after she came from this barrier and boxed on well for a 1.5m second in a similar race to this last week. Crossed from a wide barrier to lead before fighting well to go under by a nose three back. First try at this longer distance but if she sees it out could take beating. PROMISING (2) has worked his way back into form, winning three back at Penrith and placing in both outings here since. Drew out when beaten only 1.4m last week so should enjoy the better barrier. RAGING SEA (10) may need a touch of luck from his wide barrier but is hard to knock having made it two wins and a second in his last three starts by scoring here last week. JIMMY JAMES MAGUIRE (3) came from the back row to find winning form at Wagga last time. The good draw could see him take this next step. Wide draw for ROYAL DIVISION (11) but he has gate speed and must be considered a chance off the last-start win.
Race 6: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
MAC BON (5) got back on track last time when he pushed forward from this barrier to lead before digging deep to get home by a head. That took his strike rate at this circuit and distance to 50 per cent. Big chance to do it again. DOUBLE LOU (2) kicked off the campaign with a win at this venue and has placed in heats of this series in both outings since. Was just a head behind Mac Bon last start and with another good draw could turn the tables. JUNGLE DRAGON (8) draws wide but is hard to knock having won four of his last five starts including the Breeders Challenge Blue Final at this circuit and distance when he beat Mac Bon home. WALTER WARLOCK (1) led from wider to win last start so could give a sight from the inside draw.
Race 7: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
PATH TO GREATNESS (1) suffered a surprise defeat in his heat at Newcastle last start but drew on the back row and had to work so was far from disgraced when just over a metre from the winner. Was held up and beaten only 7m in the Eureka the last time he raced here and placed in the NSW Derby in a previous visit. The ace draw gives him the chance to show that sort of form. SOHO GUNSLINGER (6) has been terrific in winning his three starts off a long spell. Cruised home at his last couple and while he draws deeper he won from a wider barrier in his lone visit to this circuit last month. SINALOA (2) came from wider to win his heat by 1.2m here last start. The good draw sees him in contention again. SWEET ON LEXY (5) comes off wins in both rounds of the Canola Cup at Eugowra, drawing on the back line and working in the final. Can measure up. HEEZA MALTEEZA (8) draws wide but is racing well and should be hitting peak fitness.
Race 8: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
VITE MONET (5) didn't quite perform to market expectations when midfield last start but broke gear. Had been racing consistently with a string of top-four finishes prior and was a winner at this circuit and distance earlier in his campaign. This is winnable. OUR GOAT (8) has had six weeks off since his brave effort in The Stockade when beaten less than 3m into third at this circuit but has been kept up to the mark with a trial and has the gate speed to offset the draw. FORCE FULL (7) found winning two back and while he only beat one home last start he was just over 6m from the winner so can go well. DOUBLE FEAR (2) showed improvement for fourth from a wide barrier last start. Fitter again third up and is better drawn.
Race 9: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS - SEMI-FINAL
ROYAL CRUISER (7) has had six weeks off since he came from a similar barrier to beat a smart field and win The Stockade here last month but has been kept up to the mark with a trial. He is right up to wining a race like this. RAVISHING SLOY (1) chased a smart open-class pacer when runner-up from this barrier last start at Newcastle. Goes well at this shorter distance and is well placed against his own age group. DANGEROUS THREATS (3) showed signs of improvement when he led from this barrier and struck on for a 1.8m third at Penrith last week. WAMBOYNEINAMERICA (4) deserves respect having toughed out wins in his last two outings over this distance at Newcastle.
Race 10: COMMUNITY LINKS WELLBEING TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP
SHEETWEB WEAVER (9) had to work when racing parked last week but stuck on okay for fourth. He looks well placed back in a standing start race having beaten some smart rivals to win the G3 Menangle Trotters Cup over this distance here prior. LEAF STRIDE (4) resumes off some decent form last campaign including a win at this circuit and distance two back. Races well when fresh and should be ready to go off a solid trial. SPEEDY LOVER (3) overcame a 40m handicap to win the last time he attempted a standing start race here last month and has been good since including last week's second from a wide barrier. Last-start placegetter MALIBUU (7) is honest and worth including.
BEST BETS:
Race 7 #1 Path To Greatness – Smart colt who looks capable of dictating from the inside draw.
Race 10 #9 Sheetweb Weaver – Will enjoy the return to a standing start having won well two back.