Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - September 26

25 September 2026

 

Inter Dominion heat winner Dangerous (pictured) will have to overcome the outside barrier if he is to make a winning return at Menangle on Saturday night.

Talented trotters Cormoran Strike and Gandhi Mail will continue their emerging rivalry when they clash in the Group 3 Menangle Park Trotters Cup later on the program.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday September 26

Race 1: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE

DANGEROUS (10) makes his first appearance since July's Inter Dominion series where he won a heat and was fourth in the final. Readied with two trials, winning the latest, and has won five of eight fresh attempts. Draws widest but is good enough to overcome that. SPRINGFIELD AFFAIR (1) has been a revelation in winning all four starts over this distance since joining Seaton Grima, last week overcoming a wide draw to get home by 2m. This is stronger but he led from this barrier to score well prior so can give a big sight again. RAKERO ROCKET (7) is much better than what he showed first up. That was his first outing for nearly six months so he should be better for it. Worth another chance. NYACK (9) was first up for eight weeks when runner-up to an in-form rival last start. Draws wider but should be fitter and beat Dangerous when he placed in the Inter Dominion final two back.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

IDEAL TIMING (1) continued his consistent form when fourth from a wider barrier here last week. Beaten just over a metre as runner-up here the last time he started on the pegs and should get every chance. FASTING (3) is hard to knock after winning three in a row at this circuit and distance. The good draw could see him add to that winning streak. PARTY CENTRAL (9) has been a bit costly of late but hasn't been far away, chasing Fasting home at his last couple. With his A-game he is up to winning this. SAINT CRUSADER (10) is going well, winning two back at Newcastle before leading from a similar draw here last week and sticking on for second. With even luck he is a player again. MAURLEN BOY (6) must be respected after putting a string of top-four results together.

Race 3: NUTRIEN EQUINE PACE

HUXTON (3) has put two wins together at this venue, leading from wider barriers each time. Tries this longer distance for the first time but should be able to push forward again from a low draw so can land the hat trick. Hard to knock the recent consistency of stablemate OUR SUNSET DELIGHT (5) who returned to the winners' list over this distance here last week, adding to a series of top-two results. More depth here but he draws lower. ARGGGHHH (9) hasn't raced since November but ended last campaign with back-to-back seconds here. Draws wide but goes well fresh with three wins and five placings from 10 attempts and has been readied with two trials. ROCKNROLL HAMMER (11) may need luck from the outside barrier but he is racing well and has recorded a win and a second in two tries at this distance. A lower draw can see a better result from HUNGRY HIPPO (7).

Race 4: LIVAMOL WITH BIOWORMA PACE

BUZZ BOMB (2) comes through the Carousel series where he was runner-up in the heats and fourth in the final. Went forward from wider barriers in each of those outings so he has the pace to take advantage of tonight's more favourable draw. SWEET STRIKE (3) has been close to the placegetters in both outings since he came from this barrier for third at this circuit and distance last month. A win could imminent. TOMAHAWK BART (1) has had a series of wider or second line draws but is much better served here having led from this barrier to score at Penrith last month. TUKAHA (10) and SNAP SHOT (9) are both capable of featuring with even luck from their wide draws.

Race 5: IRT HORSE TRANSPORT PACE

RIPP (9) will enjoy a class drop after chasing some smart ones in last week's midfield effort. He cops a wide draw but has performed well from out there before and overcame a second row draw when he scored two back at Bathurst. SERG BLANCO (8) was a beaten favourite when midfield here last week but that was his first outing for five weeks so the hitout should have done him good. Draws wider but look for big improvement. VITE MONET (3) enjoys a handy class drop from Listed level and led from one spot wider to score here prior so expect him to be prominent. SMOOTH BUZZ (7) can be competitive again after placing behind an in-form rival at this circuit and distance last week.

Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE MENANGLE PARK TROTTERS CUP (GROUP 3)

CORMORAN STRIKE (6) was runner-up to race rival Gandhi Mail last start but had beaten that rival when winning his previous two outings here and starts 10m in front of him at the handicap so can turn the tables. GANDHI MAIL (12) won for the second time in four Australian outings when he led from a wide barrier and proved too strong last start. Has to overcome a 20m handicap this time but could be ready to go right on with the job. PESCO POLLO (11) has ground to make up on the top-two selections through recent attempts but scored back-to-back wins here last month, one from a standing start, and he steps up to a distance where he owns a good strike rate. SPEEDY LOVER (10) can be competitive again having placed in three of his last four starts including a second the last time he attempted a standing start.

Race 7: CORDINA FOOD CO LADYSHIP PACE

POPS JOY (2) disappointed against the boys last week but she was going very well with a string of wins or placings prior. All of those were from wider barriers than this and she is suited back against her own sex so can bounce back. DAVOLAS LEGACY (9) was less than 2m behind Pops Joy when placed two back then beat that rival by 1.3m when she scored at this circuit and distance last time. Draws wider but she is going well. RIKIBREAL (4) was rewarded for her recent consistency with a last-start Bathurst win and has placed over this distance the three times she has raced at this venue. JANIE BLU (5) has been solid behind some handy rivals at her last couple and recorded a series of placings here prior so could measure up to these. The ace draw could see WHERE BACK (1) competitive.

Race 8: TAB PACE

A good draw should give GO WITHOUT (3) the chance to show his best form. He was held up from a wider barrier last week and there was merit in his prior effort for fourth. Owns a decent record at the mile and this suits. LETSSTARTINHEAVEN (9) missed narrowly two back at Goulburn then broke as favourite when fourth last time. Has been back to the trials since. With manners and some luck from out wide he could win this. MONTEFIORE (2) has come from wider barriers when tackling some smart rivals of late. The better draw brings him into contention. GUILTY PARTY (4) drew wide rand worked but stuck on to place last start. Include along with CREDULOUS (10) who draws widest but has been racing well against the mares of late.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #3 Huxton – A good draw gives him every chance to win again.

Race 4 #2 Buzz Bomb – Ticking along well and gets the right draw this time.