Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - October 31

30 October 2026



Record-breaking colt Loucasso’s bid to overcome a wide draw and some smart rivals to extend his winning streak is one of the most-anticipated races on NSW Breeders Challenge Finals night at Menangle on Saturday.

The clash between star fillies Comeandsee (pictured) and Birdsong is another highlight while Ark Sea and Don Hunter both have the right draws to add to their winning runs in the other of the night's four Group 1s.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 31

Race 1: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

PALLADIUM (4) was a beaten favourite in the Victoria Derby last start but he did have to work so was far from disgraced when just over 4m from the winner. Impressive winner of his Derby heat prior and produced two strong efforts here last month including an easy win from a much wider draw. The drop to the mile is some query but he has the speed to go forward from this draw. NEPTUNITE (2) did a great job to come from much wider and score by 3 metres over this distance at his first visit to this circuit last start. Tackles some good opposition here but his strike rate is impressive and a low draw helps. WICKED CONFESSION (1) comes off a placing from a much wider barrier in the Ladyship Cup last start at Melton. Tackles the boys this time but is well served by the ace draw. A wide barrier presents a challenge to last-start winner I GOT CHILLS (11) but his form is hard to knock. His stablemate HUXTON (8) is also good enough to feature with some luck on his side.

Race 2: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 3)

DOUBLE LOU (1) was a beaten favourite last week but it was his first outing for three-and-a-half months and he worked from a wide barrier so the effort to box on for a 1.5m second had plenty of merit. Owns a strong second-up record so will be improved and won the 3CG final of this series last year. He looks much better served by the ace draw. FOREVER ONTHE PUNT (2) has been terrific in winning all three starts at this circuit since joining Brad Hewitt for this campaign. Came from this barrier when he scored over this distance last week. Could add to the winning streak. WICKED WIZARD (4) took his record at this circuit and distance to three from four when beating Double Lou last week. He draws to play a role again. JUNGLE DRAGON (6) hasn't been far from the placegetters of late and his best form would measure right up. SINALOA (5) improved to place last week and is a two-time third-up winner so could progress further aided by a good draw.

Race 3: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO MARES FINAL (GROUP 3)

GUNNA RELOAD (2) won the three-year-old fillies final of this series last year and looks to be in form at the right time again, leading from wider when scoring by 3.2m last week. That took her strike rate at this circuit and distance to 50 per cent and she has recorded three wins and a placing from four third up attempts so should be peaking. Can go forward again from the low draw and looks tough to catch. SMIRKIN SERENE (4) dug deep for a second-up win last week, adding to a handy record at this circuit and distance. Draws wider but has won two of three previous second-up attempts so can be in the finish again. SUGAR PIE HONEY (11) was a beaten favourite when 3m off Smirkin Serene last week but that was her first outing for more than three months and it should have improved her. A wide draw hurts but she won a final of this series at two so has talent and strikes at 50 per cent second up. OUR SPECIAL MEMORY (3) was just behind Smirkin Serene last week and draws to be competitive.

Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

SWAYZEE (11) called on his trademark courage to return to the winners' list here last week, racing parked before getting home by 1.6m. Has won five of eight tries at this longer distance so it should suit him better and he strikes at 50 per cent when third-up so should be further improved. He can overcome the outside barrier to deliver again. ROYAL CRUISER (9) was last seen when second in the Breeders Challenge 4EG Final a year ago and won twice in a row here prior so he is a talent. Draws wide but was readied with a solid trial and is a two-time fresh winner. RIPP (10) did a good job to come from this barrier and place behind Swayzee last week. He is a trifecta player again. ITS CONFIDENTIAL (2) draws much better than last week and is two from two at this longer distance so could be an improver.

Race 5: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)

ARK SEA (6) set a new record time for fillies when leading and dominating her semi-final last week, her third win from as many starts this time in. That win added to a strong record at this circuit and distance and should have topped her off for this. She draws closer to the pegs and has the speed to take advantage of that so is the one to beat. Queensland visitor STRIPES (7) has been impossible to knock in putting five wins together, the last two coming in a heat and semi of this series, both at this circuit and distance. Would've helped her to have drawn inside Ark Sea but she is in terrific form. ONE MORE REASON (9) is a consistent filly who came from this barrier for second to Ark Sea last week and won from a similar draw prior. She can be in the finish along with EYE WISH (10) who draws wide but kept giving behind Stripes last week and won two in a row prior. FAKE FRIENDS (2) has been going okay from wider barriers so could be upset material from the low draw.

Race 6: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)

Boom colt LOUCASSO (10) set an Australasian record for his age with a stunning win last week, stretching his winning streak to seven and taking his perfect record at this circuit and distance to four. Draws out and has some talented three-year-olds inside him so this will be more of challenge but he has the brilliance to overcome the barrier. NSW Derby placegetter YOTTIE (5) made it three from three this time in with a fighting win last week. Has the speed to take advantage of this draw. That should give him his chance. NOCTURNAL (6) did a great job to finish just over 2m off Loucasso last week given the scorching time. He has really developed some consistency, as has ALERT BAY (9) who was good again after working last week and won well prior. Both of those of colts have been competitive with Loucasso of late and could push him again. COHEN THE RED (1) hasn't been far away in two outings for Luke McCarthy and draws the inside so is worth including.

Race 7: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)

Looks a battle between the two fillies that have been racking up the wins but the draw has given the advantage to the Victorian COMEANDSEE (3). She has dominated in both rounds of this series, the latest when she led and cruised home by 5.5m in her semi-final at this circuit and distance. Expect her to push forward again from this barrier and if she gets her way up front she'll be hard to catch. BIRDSONG (10) draws wide but she is already a Group 1 winner and is three from three at this circuit and distance this time in. Should be peaking for this and has won from similar barriers before. She could do it again. FRITH IN FLIGHT (7) is a progressive filly who won well here two back then raced parked and stuck on okay behind Birdsong last start. She is a trifecta hope as is SHES A DELANEY (11) who cops a wide draw but has the speed to go forward from out there and has been very consistent with a string of wins and placings to her name.

Race 8: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)

DON HUNTER (6) has enjoyed the ideal lead-up to this race, winning his two starts off a spell in good style. Led and was too good in scoring by more than 5m last start, stretching his perfect record at this circuit and distance to five. Should be hitting his peak for finals night and looks the one to beat. DISTURBANCE (9) just keeps improving and made it three wins on the trot when he dug deep to win his semi-final last start. Draws wider but his form is strong enough to see him in the finish again. BOYSTROUS (4) led and fought well when edged out by Disturbance last time and had a good winning strike rate prior. He can give a sight from this draw. TUAPEKA GOLD (3) has come from wider draws in each start of this campaign and managed to win a heat of this series here two back. He is a first four hope from the good draw. SLIP SLIDNAWAY (10) draws wide but has made a decent start to his career and is worth including.

Race 9: HRNSW RISING STARS (PENALTY EXEMPT EVENT)

There was plenty to like about last week's performance of OHOKA COBRA (1) when he came from a wider barrier to place. He is much better served by this barrier having led from there to win over this distance two back at Newcastle. He could do that again. JILLIBY FABIO (4) worked to the front from one spot wider than this and kept going to score by 5.5m at this circuit and distance last start. This looks another suitable assignment so he could back that up. Manners have let ROCKNROLL COWBOY (2) down in his two outings since he kicked off his campaign with two wins at this circuit and distance. Has won a trial since the last appearance and draws well. He is good enough to win if he gets it right. AGATHA BLOOM (12) may need luck from the outside draw but is going well with wins in three of her last five outings, one of them from this barrier. VAN BASTEN (6) hasn't been far away of late and draws lower than last time.

Race 10: CLUB MENANGLE TONY AND JILL MCGRATH TROTTERS MOBILE (LISTED CLASSIC)

CORMORAN STRIKE (12) broke when tackling the Bill Collins Sprint at Melton last start but is much better suited returning to this venue having put together a string of top-two results here prior. Draws out but he is building a strong record at the mile and is good enough to overcome the barrier. TORO STRIDE (4) is another coming through the Bill Collins Sprint where he copped a tough barrier. Good effort to place when resuming from a wide barrier here prior and ended his last campaign with a placing in the Inter Dominion Final. Has a class drop and a better draw in his favour. ZENITH STRIDE (9) scored by 3m over this distance last start, his second success from four starts here since a long layoff. Both of those wins were from this barrier. Each way hope. YOUR MAJESTY (6) is a two-time fresh winner readied with a solid trial. Expect a strong return from her.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #2 Gunna Reload – In form at the right time and well served by this draw.

Race 8 #6 Don Hunter – Had an ideal preparation and can maintain an unbeaten record here.