Breeders Blue night brings a host of Menangle ‘specials’
RACE ONE:
The nine-event card at Club Menangle will offer more ‘special’s’ than any high-profile department store, commencing with STINGRAY TARA (6). Prepared by Jack Trainer and to be driven by Jack Brown, with his concession coming into play, the son of Bettors Delight is coming off a ‘forget’ run a week ago, although the end result was still pleasing. From a three-peg role, Stingray Tara went to the line under a hold, with Trainor unable to secure a clear run at any stage. In recording a 10m 6th to Expensive Ego, the 6yo also carried a flat tyre, adding further merit to the performance. Prior to that run, Stingray Tara had finished runner-up in his previous three starts behind Expensive Ego, once again, Whereyabinboppin and Wolf Stride, respectively. That form is definitely good enough to win a race of this nature. This is a definite situation where a ‘pair of jacks’ will be enough to take the pot. GLIDING AWAY (1) is back from a ‘freshener’ and with gate one next to his name, the consistent Kerry and Dean McDowell trained son of Betterthancheddar appeals as a suitable threat. Following a run of 17-consecutive, top three placings, six resulting in winning displays, Gliding Away posted a 13.6m 6th to Jazzy Star back on October 8. ROSSINI (8) has been off the scene since late August when a 2.7m 2nd to Surfers Delight at this venue. A recent Canberra trial outing has lifted his level of fitness, and although confronted by a wide gate, the consistent James Rattray trained and driven 6yo is capable of making a play for a role in the exotics. BOOM (7) is rarely far away, which was again the case last week when a grinding 8m 5th to the Troy Williams-trained mare Little Bliss. The 5yo will again make a bold play for a role in the multiples. Jack Trainor will drive his other entrant CHEVRON ART (7), and although the 4yo son of Art Major doesn’t win out of turn, the stable expect a bold showing so respect his claims. PUMP THE BRAKES (11) is another with exotic claims, despite the wide draw, while last-start winner FEAR CRUISAIN (2) has drawn ideally and can’t be dismissed from exotic discussions.
STINGRAY TARA 1, Gliding Away 2, Rossini 3, Boom 4.
RACE TWO:
it is hard to go past the Charlie Pollicina-trained UNFAZED (1) after the consistent son of Auckland Reactor came up with the prized pole position. And that is enough to make the 5yo another ‘special’ investment. Following a brave 6.6m 4th to Port Au Prince in the G2 Carousel, Unfazed produced a strong display in defeating Loyalist and Rocknroll Runa, prior to working outside of the leader when a determined 3rd to Rocknroll Runa and Port Au Prince last week, with the gelding beaten a mere neck in the process. Gavin Fitzpatrick will have the opportunity to present Unfazed with a kinder run from the outset and that will go a long way towards the ninth win of his career. In-form Goulburn trainer-driver Brad Hewitt will provide the two main threats in TRIPLE FOUR (3) and HEZ DUSTY (2). At the time of writing this preview, Brad was yet to decide on his drive, and that will be definite guide. The return to a favourable draw will certainly assist TRIPLE FOUR (3), with the son of American Ideal, Brad’s likely choice due to that important factor. From a wide gate the 4yo posted a 17.7m 6th behind Rocknroll Runa a week ago, with a sold win over Go Jack Ryan Loyalist coming his way prior to that outing, courtesy of a good draw and a kind peg role. Triple Four appears to favour the shorter trips so the 1609m will assist his cause. HEZ DUSTY (2) peaks following three runs back from a break, the latest resulting in a 27.9m 8th to Bettor Isolate in the G2 NSWBC 4YO E&G’s Final a couple of weeks ago. The 4yo enjoyed a successful term of racing when previously in work and he should be ready to show a return to that type of form. WOW HES A ROCK STAR (5) strips fitter following one run back, which resulted in an 8.9m 4th to Unfazed in the Young Stars Invitational. With the benefit of that run and a handy draw, the Blake Fitzpatrick trained and driven 4yo is capable of being involved in the finish. When it comes to multiple transactions, IDEAL ESCAPE (9) must be included as the Cameron Ross-trained 5yo is coming off a couple of solid wins, and although the draw hasn’t been kind, the son of American Ideal can’t be taken lightly. A fitter JOE NIEN (11) has drawn the outside gate, but don’t overlook him as an exotic chance.
UNFAZED 1, Triple Four 2, Hez Dusty 3, Wow Hes A Rock Star 4.
RACE THREE:
Suitably drawn and appearing well-placed in this company, the Cameron Ross-prepared MACHS LEGACY (5) will take a power of beating. The daughter of Mach Three scored a deserving win at Penrith back on Sept 1, and although she has been out of the top spot since, the mare has managed to snare four placings from her subsequent six starts, usually against quality opposition. Machs Legacy has been thwarted in her bid for further success by the classy Tay Tay in each of her past three encounters, twice being runner-up, while the most recent outing resulted in a 21.5m 4th in the NSWBC G2 Final for 4yo mares. On that occasion Machs Legacy drew the inside of the back row, resulting in a three peg role. The mare should be prominently placed from the outset and that will lay the foundations for a winning display. Peaking in condition following three assignments since a spell, the Paul Fitzpatrick-trained BE MY ROSE (8) looms as the main threat. Resuming with a stylish win over Summit Special and King Tiger, the daughter of American Ideal then posted a 20.9m 6th to Braeview Kelly in the G1 Frith Stakes before a 5.6m 5th behind Punt Away a week ago, with the mare drawing the outside gate on that occasion. Be My Rose is worthy of further consideration in this field and with the benefit of a slightly better draw. The KerryAnn Morris-trained WHATS YOUR SECRET (7) is racing with plenty of confidence of late and she is more than capable of making a bold bid for the top spot. Successful three starts ago at Newcastle, the 4yo has been placed in her past two starts at this venue, the first resulting in a creditable 16.6m 3rd behind Braeview Kelly and Town Echo in the G1 Frith Stakes, the latter when she again finished third, this time when beaten a neck by Punt Away and Constantina a week ago. TOTAL DIVA (11) has drawn the outside gate but the gritty daughter of Terror To Love is coming off a typical determined effort when beaten narrowly into third sport behind Little Bliss and Chevron Art last week. While Total Diva has the tricky draw, you can never dismiss the mare as a threat. Exotic players should also look at ELEKTRA (9) and MYRA DAWN (1).
MACHS LEGACY 1, Be My Rose 2, Whats Your Secret 3, Total Diva 4.
RACE FOUR:
Multi-award winning 5yo SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (11) embarks on another exciting campaign, and although the Belinda McCarthy-trained son of Sweet Lou has drawn the outside gate, against classy and fitter rivals, he warrants top billing. Joining Expensive Ego as the two feature acts, as far as, the Team McCarthy barn is concerned, following the retirement of King Of Swing, Spirit Of St Louis will be contesting his first assignment since finishing a gallant 1.8m 2nd to Majestic Cruiser in the G1 Blakes A Fake at AP back on July 23. With the benefit of a solid trial win next to his name, Spirit Of St Louis looks poised to make his return to racing, as one of the better bets on the program. ZEUSS BROMAC (8) has already return to racing and with four runs under his belt, the Paul Fitzpatrick-conditioned son of Bettors Delight is definitely a threat. Greeting the judge at his third run back, the classy 5yo accounted for Focus Stride and Alta Orlando, prior to a determined neck 3rd behind I Cast No Shadow and Honolua Bay in the G2 Len Smith Mile a couple of weeks ago. Rarely far away, Zeuss Bromac will make his presence felt. The veteran, professional ALTA ORLANDO (5) drew wide in the Len Smith Mile, resulting in a rearward, peg role coming his way, which resulted in the 10yo having little luck in recording an 8.7m 8th to I Cast No Shadow. The son of Courage Under Fire had been racing with consistency before that ‘luckless’ run and from his good draw, Alta Orlando will again give his usual honest performance. Peaking in condition and also drawing ideally is the Jack Trainor and driven PERFECT STRIDE (2), with the Bettors Delight 5yo definitely edging towards a winning display. Three runs into his latest campaign and Perfect Stride recorded an excellent 4.5m 2nd to Expensive Ego a week ago. The prospect of receiving a kind trip behind the speed will assist Perfect Stride in again being involved in the finish. As per usual, BUNDORAN (3) can’t be dismissed as a threat, with the 5yo coming off a gritty display in the G3 Nick Robin FFA a week ago, which resulted in a 5.8m third. Suitably drawn, the son of Lincoln Royal is always capable of providing that upset result. WOLF STRIDE (9) and WHEREYABINBOPPIN (10) have drawn deep, but the pair are racing well and claims as exotic runners can’t be ruled out.
SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS 1, Zeuss Bromac 2, Alta Orlando 3, Perfect Stride 4.
RACE FIVE:
Despite finishing a 16.9m 5th to star Queenslander Leap To Fame in the G1 NSWBC 3YO C&G’s Final, driver Jack Trainor was still full of praise of the classy MAHOMES (8). Always in a rearward role, the Peter Russo-trained son of Tintin In America was unable to make his presence felt, but his work over the final stages was still superb, considering the final 400m was covered in 27.4. Leap To Fame was simply superior, although My Ultimate Ronnie, which led from the outset, made sure Leap to Fame earnt every dollar of his winner’s cheque. Prior to his latest appearance, Mahomes recorded back-to-back wins and he was impressive in doing so, the latter defeating Teddy Disco and Black Onyx in his semi-final appearance. Boasting 10 wins and three placings from just 21 starts, Mahomes will launch his claim from seven, which is less one of the reserves, and a role closer to the action, if not in front, should present the 3yo with the opportunity to enjoy a better trip, and potentially, an important edge over his two main threats in ESCAPE ARTIST (6) and TIMS A TROOPER (9). That being the case, Mahomes should be ‘touching down’ ahead of his rivals. ESCAPE ARTIST is coming off a solid win at Goulburn recently, with the Brad Hewitt trained and driven 3yo, who is also a son of Tintin In America, having the ideal lead-up race for this assignment. Despite working early from a back row draw, Escape Artist was able to find the lead and he was untroubled in greeting the judge from that point onwards. TIMS A TROOPER (9) strips fitter for a grinding win at AP a week ago when he accounted for Ima Socialite and Uptown Beachgirl. The margin was nothing flash, but he found the line with intent and he will derive a great deal benefit from the outing. The quality Grant Dixon-trained 3yo is another son of Tintin In America, and with the G1 NSWBC 2YO C&G’s title to his credit, the gelding is bound to take a power of beating with Robert Morris engaged to handle the driving duties. KING TIGER (12) is another fine talent but after drawing the outside gate, the Kevin Pizzuto-trained son of Tiger Tara will be confronted by a tougher assignment. Despite the draw, King Tiger remains in the multiple mix, with SAINT CRUSADER (4) and SHOULDA PASSED (5) value players for the multiples.
MAHOMES 1, Escape Artist 2, Tims A Trooper 3, King Tiger 4.
RACE SIX:
The figures next to the name of BETTER BE THE BEST (9) will be displayed in ‘deep red’, and at that will still be better than bank interest. The ‘best of good things’ beaten, with the greatest respect to the winner Captains Knock, in the NSWBC 2YO C&G’s Final, Better Be The Best will receive some compensation in the G1 NSWBC Blue Final. Trained and driven by Nathan Turnbull, the classy colt resumed with a quartet of wins and looked upon as one of the major players for higher honours a couple of weeks ago. However, the colt broke in the score up, lost considerable ground and settled well behind the pack. Finally contesting the race from a five peg role, Better Be The Best kept pinching metres along the markers, which enabled him to finish a gallant 2.6m 2nd to Captains Knock, which did everything asked of him, resulting in a deserving win. Better Be The Best will make amends for his latest run by winning this race, with ease. The cry of “QUEENSLANDER” will echo over the Menangle track, but in a race with ‘blue’ in the title, the son of Tintin In America may have to settle for being ‘second best’. Prepared by one of the best in the business in Darrel Graham and to be driven by Jack Callaghan, Queenslander has had a positive start to his career in posting two wins and a couple of placings from just five trips to the races. Contesting a 1660m event at AP a couple of weeks ago, Adam Sanderson sent the youngster to the lead and from that point onwards the pair had the situation under control. Apart from being confronted by a harder test, Queenslander has received the ‘visitors’ draw, gate 10 and that will add to the degree of difficulty, however, Queenslander has shown enough to date to suggest he will run boldly. From this point onwards the field appears to be evenly matched. Exotic claims should be given to MAMMALS ALIBI (7) and RIPPIN RUPERT (3), with both youngsters being under the astute care of Bernie Hewitt. MISTER QUIRK (6), which is a stablemate of Better Be The Best, also stays in the multiple mix, along with KAITOA (5).
BETTER BE THE BEST 1, Queenslander 2, Mammals Alibi 3, Rippin Rupert 4.
RACE SEVEN:
Another ‘special’ appears in the G1 NSWBC 3YO Filles Final, with the Cameron Ross-trained IDEAL IN DREAMS (2) appearing to have the necessary edge over her star rival, MADRID (6), courtesy of drawing two, although gate six isn’t a harsh draw for the Jarrod Alchin-prepared filly. Following her defeat of Madrid at Penrith four starts back, Ideal In Dreams has finished runner-up at her next three engagements, twice behind Madrid while the latest was a narrow defeat to Captn Me in the G1 NSWBC 2YO Fillies Final. The prospect of dictating the terms, or at the very least, stalking Madrid, should result in Ideal In Dreams, resulting in ‘dreams really do come true’ for her connections. MADRID (6) is of course the one to beat as the daughter of Bling It On has an impressive record to date, with 12 wins and four placings from 19 encounters. After posting a hat-trick of wins, Madrid was left exposed when a fading last behind Captn Me, although the filly was a mere 9.3m from the winner when the judge called a halt. In what appears to be a ‘two-horse’ race, Madrid will take no end of beating. SHES A CARIBBEAN (8) finished runner-up in each of her three runs back from a spell, prior to scoring comfortably at Wagga last time out. This will be a harder test; however, the David Kennedy-trained daughter of Caribbean Blaster is a reliable type so don’t ignore her when it comes to multiple transactions. SECRET BLING (9) has also being racing with confidence on the Wagga circuit and claims as an exotic runner should be considered while NIZHONI (3), HEAVENLY REASON (5) and HALSEY NICOLE (10) also fall into that category.
IDEAL IN DREAMS 1, Madrid 2, Shes A Caribbean 3, Secret Bling 4.
RACE EIGHT:
The final ‘good thing’ on the card is the Ash Grives trained and driven SAVEEON (6), one of two runners the Bathurst mentor will have in the G1 NSW Breeders 2YO Fillies Blue Final. The daughter of Warrawee Needy is coming off a ‘forget I went around’ display at Menangle a couple of weeks ago when she contested the G1 NSWBC 2YO Fillies Final. Saveeon qualified with a stylish semi-final win over Treasure Stride and Miss Froufrou, but when she drew gate 10 for the G1 challenge, her winning sequence of three-on-end was always in danger of coming to an end. From a midfield role, Saveeon was never a threat in recording a 15.4m 5th to the classy Emma Stewart-prepared Major Delight. But, in the process, the Bathurst visitor wasn’t disgraced. Back to a suitable assignment and with a useful starting role, Saveeon will take a power of beating. Arriving with consistent form on the country arena, and drawing ideally in one, the Rodney Woodhouse-conditioned FE FE ON FIRE (1) will have the chance to tackle this harder contest with a competitive showing. The Courage Under Fire filly has been thereabouts of late and with Peter McRae in the sulky, the youngster has the chance to secure a kind run. MISS FROUFROU (10) was beaten 20.4m when 7th to Major Delight in the above-mentioned race. With the return to a suitable contest the Darren McCall trained and driven filly is capable of a bold showing as her form prior to the G1 challenge was more than useful for a race of this nature. The Jed Betts-trained LIMBO LILLY (7) has been consistent since a spell and warrants exotic attention while SCREENSHOT (5) also has claims as a value contender.
SAVEEON 1, Fe Fe On Fire 2, Miss Froufrou 3, Limbo Lilly 4.
RACE NINE:
Following an impressive return to racing at Headquarters a few weeks ago, ALDEBARAN TESS (3) will tackle this slightly harder contest as the one to beat. Contesting her first assignment since early August and making the switch to the stables of Sofia Arvidsson, the daughter of Muscle Hill drew wide and was restrained soon after the start, the 5yo was always in a rearward role, and in a tricky spot, five pegs as the field approached the final bend. Threading the needle, Sofia gradually had Aldebaran Tess switching to the middle of the track, and despite still be under a hold, the mare quickly joined and cleared her rivals in fine fashion. Fitter and drawing suitably, Aldebaran Tess is more than capable of continuing on her winning way. The consistent PRINCESS FAITH (8) continues to be in the mix, but the Michael Doltoff-trained daughter of Majestic Son can’t get past finishing third, which has been the scenario in each of her past five starts, following a win here back in late August. Despite drawing wide the mare will again be in the mix when the judge calls a halt. ANDEROVERLOV (4) has made a habit of finding one better, although that wasn’t the case last time out when the 5yo finished a 19.7m 6th to Van Sank recently. Prior to that disappointing run the Jack Trainor-prepared gelding had finished runner-up on four-consecutive occasions and, five from his last six. Handily drawn, Andoverlov, like Princess Faith, will again be in the mix for a long way. The consistent ROYAL GLENFERRIE (5) hasn’t won for 19 months, but he is always a useful type to include when forming multiple investments. SUNNY GEE (9) has been safely held of late but he is capable of better so don’t ignore when it comes to the multiples while RIGHT MOVES (2) and BARCADI BARMAID (6) also have claims in that regard.
ALDEBARAN TESS 1, Princess Faith 2, Andoverlov 3, Royal Glenferrie 4.
– FORM ASSESSED BY MIKE KO’CASS