Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - July 11

10 July 2026

 

Victorian visitors Smoken Ace and Perun will be looking to make winning raids on the Menangle race meeting on Saturday night.


The program also features five heats of the Winter Gift with the final to be run next Saturday.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday July 11

Race 1: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE

BETTERTHANCASH (2) - pictured - has been racing well from wider barriers, finishing midfield at Listed level last start to follow a series of top-four results. Looks nicely placed and should get his chance from the low draw. BETTER ECLIPSE (9) has been solid in finishing midfield from similar barriers in his last two outings. Building in fitness and his accomplishments at this circuit and distance include a Chariots of Fire win and a Miracle Mile placing so he would measure right up if anywhere near his best. ALTA WILLIAM (4) made it back-to-back placings when beating Better Eclipse home last week and he draws closer to the pegs. MAC BON (3) hinted at a return to form last week when he worked to the front from the outside barrier before boxing on. Owns a good record at this shorter distance and is better served by this barrier. PERFECT STRIDE (6) has claims off a close second from a wider barrier.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE (HEAT 1)

The marble looks to have fallen perfectly for BETTORLIGHTEM UP (1). He came from wider for fourth last week and had won two of his previous three outings, one of them from this barrier. Should get every chance. SNAP SHOT (11) draws wide but was good when chasing classy filly Ark Sea at Wagga last start. Winner at this circuit and distance last month and can measure up with even luck. FASTING (2) wasn't disgraced when midfield last time and produced a series of decent efforts here prior including a third from this barrier three back. NOVANTA RISING (6) will be fitter for recent racing and could be competitive.

Race 3: ULTRA AIR PACE (HEAT 2)

PARTY CENTRAL (5) had enough early speed to lead from a wide barrier before digging deep to get home narrowly at this circuit last start, taking his strike rate at the mile to 50 per cent. Can take advantage of a lower draw to strike again. OAKIE SMOKESHOW (12) hasn't raced for 10 weeks but was good in winning four times at this venue last campaign. Tough draw but won when fresh last prep and was readied with a nice trial. LETS TURN IT ON (7) drew wide and was held up last time so did well to get within 2.5 of the winner. Draws lower and should be nearing peak fitness fourth up. JAXON BEACH (10) worked and faded last time but was beaten only 3m here prior so could do better.

Race 4: PRYDE'S EASIFEED PACE (HEAT 3)

I GOT CHILLS (12) is a newcomer to the Jason Grimson yard from Queensland where he had been producing some consistent form before breaking last start. Draws out but is proven at this distance and could make an immediate impact. MAJOR REASON (8) made it two wins in four outings since joining Seaton Grima when he led and kept going to score by close to 3m at Newcastle last week. Draws wider but this looks a suitable assignment. IM ROCKIN IT (3) missed the placings after working last time but he was good when he came from this barrier to miss narrowly at this circuit and distance prior. Should be close to peak fitness now. LOVE A BELLE (5) came from this barrier to win at this circuit and distance two back before she was beaten only 2.6m in a handy line-up of mares last week. Go well.

Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE VIC FROST FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

Siding with Victorian visitor SMOKEN ACE (3) first up. He put together a string of wins last time in including the Listed Popular Alm at Kilmore. Gets a good draw and has recorded a win and a placing in two tries at the mile. Proven fresh and should be ready to go off a nice trial. HUTA (11) put the writing on the wall when runner-up two back before delivering last week, leading to score by 4m at this circuit and distance. Draws wider but could go on with it now that he has broken through. RIPP (10) continued his consistent form when he raced parked from this barrier but stuck on for second last week. Reliable and could return to the winners' list. GLITTER AINT GOLD (1) came from wider to place last week and won two of his previous three outings here, one at Listed level. Prefer him over further but should get every chance from the ace draw.

Race 6: IRT PACE (HEAT 4)

Could be a good race for the Victorian raider PERUN (3). He overcame a back row draw to win four back at Melton and hasn't missed the top-four since, going under narrowly in a higher-graded race last time. Draws to push forward and a repeat of the latest effort would stack up well. OUR ROCKER (6) faded badly over the longer trip last week but is much better than that having recorded a win and a placing in his previous two attempts at this circuit and distance. Prepared to give him another chance. JILLIBY FABIO (1) has been racing well from wider or second row barriers including a close placing here last start and a Penrith win last month. Should get his chance from the ace draw. RIVERA LOU (10) draws wide but hasn't been far away of late including a second here last time. Respect.

Race 7: THE CORDINA GROUP PACE (HEAT 5)

CHANGE TACT (3) made a winning return from Queensland when she led from a wider barrier and dug deep to get home last week, taking her record at this circuit and distance to two from three. Tackles the boys this time but has the speed to take advantage of the lower draw. HAPPY TOO YA (2) has trialled well since he worked and faded as favourite last start. Put together a string of wins earlier in the campaign, one of them coming here when he led from this barrier so expect him to be prominent. MONTEFIORE (4) draws lower than when midfield here on Tuesday and had missed narrowly from this barrier here prior. Could be working towards a win as could MICK DANGER (1) who placed two back before racing parked when beaten 3.2m last time. Building nicely and gets the ace draw. Would prefer a lower barrier for PETES CRUNCH TIME (8) but his best form would measure up.

Race 8: YIRRIBEE STUD 3YO PACE

NOCTURNAL (4) had been producing some good efforts this campaign so deserved the last-start win, working forward from a wider barrier to lead before saluting by close to 5m at this circuit and distance. Can push forward again from this draw and looks nicely placed to deliver again. THIS IS HEAVEN (5) has been solid in two outings here since a Penrith win, placing behind Nocturnal last time. Draws outside that rival so it won't be easy to turn the tables but he can be competitive again. BLAZING HIGH (9) draws wide but found winning form at this circuit and distance last week. He'll be at his peak now so with even luck could go on with it. YOU ARE MY WISH (10) is another that may need things to go his way given the outside draw but he was good when runner-up to Nocturnal last time. LOCHINVAR MARCELLO (7) deserves respect off a string of wins and placings, overcoming a back row draw to score at Penrith last time out.

Race 9: PRON8URE PROBIOTICS TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP

COURAGE STRIDE (8) has been working towards a win for a while now, putting four placings together at this venue before a midfield finish at Listed level last time. Starts from the 20m mark but came from there for a 3.5 third over this distance two back. This could be his chance to break through. ALMIGHTY FEAR (7) found winning form in good style last start, leading to beat an in-form mare by more than 12m at this circuit and distance. He could go on with it now. CORMORAN STRIKE (2) came from a wide barrier to miss narrowly at his local debut. Fitter and should get his chance from the front mark. Last-start winners MALIBUU (4) and SUNNY GEE (3) are also players in what looks an even contest.

BEST BETS:

Race 2 #1 Bettorlightem Up – Racing well and should get every chance from the inside draw.

Race 7 #3 Change Tact – Can take advantage of a good draw to win again.