Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - June 20

19 June 2026

 

Accomplished trotter London To A Brick (pictured) will be close to peak fitness so could be ready to strike in the Yamamoto Trotters Mile at Menangle on Saturday night.

Promising filly Im Frankee will have to overcome a wide barrier if she is to land another win in the HRNSW 2YO Trotters Foundation Final.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday June 20
Race 1: TAB PACE
RIPP (10) has been racing well in strong company at this circuit and distance, working forward to find the front and digging in for a 2m win two back before getting within 6.5m of star mare Captains Mistress when third at Listed level last start. Will have to overcome the outside barrier but is well placed in this line-up. SINALOA (1) made an encouraging return when he drew wider and raced three deep without cover but stuck on to place at this circuit and distance. Fitter for that and should enjoy a better run from the inside barrier. BETTERTHANCASH (9) did a good job to come from a similar draw for a 4.4m fourth here last time. Can be competitive if things go his way. HUTA (2) appreciated a class drop when fourth last week. Should be close to his peak now and draws well.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
SOHO CHARMER (9) took advantage of a low draw to lead for an easy win by more than 8m when resuming last week. That took his strike rate at this circuit and distance to 50 per cent and he was also runner-up in the NSW Derby last campaign. Draws wider but is unbeaten when second-up so should be improved and has the class to overcome the barrier. REWATCH (6) made a winning start for the McCarthy stable when he drew out and raced three wide without cover but got home by 2.2m at this circuit and distance a fortnight ago. Draws lower so can go well again. OUR ROCKER (3) progressed off a narrow fresh defeat to win by 4.4m here last week. He is unbeaten when third-up so should be hitting his peak and he draws well again. ENJABONARLO (7) drew very wide and was forced to race three deep without cover last week but scored here last month so is worth another chance.
Race 3: IRT HORSE TRANSPORT PACE
LOUIE LOU I (10) added to his consistent form at this circuit and distance when he came from the extreme outside barrier for third behind a Group 1 performer last week. Draws a little lower and if things go his way he could break through for a well-deserved win. CHICAGO BART (6) continued his good form when he came from a similar barrier to place here last time. Had won three of his previous four outings and steps up to a distance where he owns a decent strike rate. Contender. SOHO AMERICANO (1) has yet to fire this campaign but she strikes at 50 per cent when third up and draws for a nice run so looking for a better result. MAC BON (2) showed improvement for fourth when second-up last week and owns a decent record at this longer distance so could progress further. SAINT CRUSADER (8) deserves respect having continued his consistent form when runner-up last week.
Race 4: NUTRIEN EQUINE 3YO PACE
THE NITESHIFT (7) made an encouraging return off a let-up when he drew the outside barrier and raced parked but fought hard to miss the good filly Senses by a head. Had shown terrific promise in winning his first three starts, two of them at this circuit and distance. Draws lower and should strip fitter so look for a return to the winners' list. NOCTURNAL (10) comes through the Nutrien Classic series at Wagga where he chased the Gold Chalice winner Brooklyn Dan in the heats before another second behind star colt Hollywood Strip in the final. Draws wide but that form reads strongly for this. ALERT BAY (4) has come from wider barriers than this to place in his two outings here off a spell. Should be close to his peak third-up. SOHO PIASTRI (3) is up in grade but led from a wide barrier to win here last time so can be prominent from the more favourable draw.
Race 5: ULE HOOF OIL PACE
DON HUGO (10) comes of a rare unplaced effort when resuming but he went back early and then raced parked so was far from disgraced when fifth. Draws wide but he'll be fitter so expecting to see his true form tonight. CAPTAINS KNOCK (11) has had 10 weeks since he crossed the Tasman and stuck on well for a brave fourth to Leap to Fame in The Race at Cambridge. Cops the outside barrier but has been readied with a trial and he has yet to miss a place in seven fresh attempts, winning four of them. PINSEEKER (5) looks close to another win after back-to-back placings, finishing a 1.5m second at Listed level two back before drawing deep and racing three wide without cover before sticking on last start. Could break through. NYACK (4) is up in grade on last week's win from the outside barrier but that was his second success from his last three attempts at this circuit and distance and he draws better. HESITATE (9) has won three of four fresh attempts and has been trialling well so include.
Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE YAMAMOTO TROTTERS MILE (LISTED CLASSIC)
LONDON TO A BRICK (8) has come from this barrier to place in both starts here off a spell, missing by just a nose last time. That put the writing on the wall and he should be close to his peak third-up so can go one better. CONSTANTINOPLE (5) had enough speed to lead over further last start but the effort told and he faded out. Had been racing well prior including a couple of wins over this shorter distance. This is the lowest draw he has enjoyed for some time and he can take advantage of it. I AM HELLBOUND (7) raced wide from a 20m handicap when fourth last week but had won three in a row prior so can bounce back. PESCO POLLO (6) made an encouraging return when runner-up last week. Strikes at 50 per cent when second up and hasn't missed a place in six tries at this shorter distance, winning four of them.
Race 7: PRYDE'S EASIFEED PACE
SAO PAULO SIMBA (9) was a big improver with a 1.2m win when second-up here a fortnight ago. That took his record at this distance to five from nine and while he draws deeper he should be further improved third-up and finds another suitable assignment. HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (6) didn't perform to market expectations last week but he did have to work when parked and this looks easier. Had kicked of the campaign with two nice seconds so prepared to give him another chance. RAVISHING SLOY (10) will find this easier than the latest attempt. Draws deepest but also came from a wide barrier when winning here three back. DOM TORETTO (8) was solid when third from the back row last start at Penrith. Draws wide but came from similar barriers for back-to-back placings here last month.
Race 8: HRNSW 2YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
IM FRANKEE (10) is a promising filly yet to miss the top-two. Runner-up two back in the Nutrien Classic Final at Wagga then took her record at this circuit and distance to two from two when scoring by more than 7m last week. Starts from the outside barrier but is good enough to overcome that. HILLDALE HILTON (9) starts from his widest barrier yet but is making good progress having recorded two wins and a placing from his last three attempts at this circuit and distance. Looks a threat. CHIEF KENNY (6) is finding it hard to win but has been consistent, chasing Im Frankee last start for his fourth runner-up result in five appearances. MAJARO GIRL (8) has placed behind the top two selections in both outings since winning here. Respect.
Race 9: HYLAND SPORTSWEAR LADYSHIP PACE
MISSAUDACIOUS (8) did a good job to chase the top mare Tokyo Rose for second at Listed level last week. The outside barrier poses a challenge but she won in this grade at this circuit and distance last month so will enjoy the class drop. Former Victorian JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (3) made a good start for the Peter Rixon yard when coming from this barrier for second at this venue and distance. Has had six weeks off since but this looks a suitable assignment. SNAP SHOT (2) came from wider when tackling a Listed race last week but won from this barrier here prior so is better placed. PEACE OUT (7) is back from a let-up but came from a similar draw to win here two back so is capable on her day. ISLA ROCHELLE (4) steps up in grade but has put a string of top-three finishes together and has the speed to be prominent from a lower draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #9 Soho Charmer – Highly progressive so doubt the wider draw will stop him.
Race 4 #7 The Niteshift – Big effort from a wide barrier last start and draws better.