Finding all the winners for Menangle Saturday night
RACE ONE:
Following an outstanding comeback to racing under the guidance of Darren Binskin, a fresh FOCUS STRIDE (10) is set to return from a well-earned break on a winning note, despite the presence of the outside draw. Resuming from a long period away from the track, Focus Stride collected three wins and a game 2nd to Hes Chiming, prior to a 17m 6th to Whereyabinboppin at Headquarters on July 23. The classy son of Art Major won a trial before recording a solid 1.2m 2nd to Expensive Ego in a recent trial, which was completed in 1:49.8. Not bad for a trial ! Clearly indicating he was ready for action, Focus Stride will tackle this challenge in good spirit, and while the draw is always a concern, the 5yo will take a power of beating and in the process, prove to be one of the ‘better bets’ on the quality nine-event card. Next to Focus Stride at the start will be is main threat in ONE TWO MANY (9), which is also racing in fine style as the son of Captain Treacherous has posted three wins and a second from his past seven starts, with the 4yo finishing in the top four in the balance of his encounters. Trainer-driver Amanda Turnbull will look to keep One Two Many out of the early ‘hustle and bustle’, which is normally the case, allowing the gelding to be saved for one, sweeping run at the leaders. BLUE CHIP DELIGHT (3) is coming off a gritty win last week and with his level of fitness going up a notch, the Jack Trainor prepared and driven 5yo is capable of again being in the mix when the judge calls a halt. MAJOR OBAHMA (7) strips fitter following a game 4.9m 5th behind Total Diva a couple of weeks ago when resuming from a spell and being left posted outside of the leader. The consistent Art Major 6yo is capable of being involved in the finish and should be included in exotic investments. Blake Fitzpatrick will drive JAZZY STAR (2) for trainer Trevor Munday and in an interview for the National Trotguide, he expressed that the 7yo would run a big race from his good draw. The son of Auckland Reactor has been drawing deep of late and the vastly improved draw will be a plus. BOOM (6) is rarely far away and is also entitled to exotic attention while SURFERS DELIGHT (8) has struck a ‘purple patch’ of form and is also capable of being involved in the finish.
FOCUS STRIDE 1, One Two Many 2, Blue Chip Delight 3, Major Obahma 4.
RACE TWO:
I can’t find a better horse to tip here than CANTFINDABETTORMAN (5) and he should celebrate his first Menangle assignment on a winning note. The former Kiwi opened his career on this side of the Tasman with a hat-trick of wins at Albion Park, the latest when he accounted for the classy Leap To Fame in the G3 South East Derby. Prepared by Belinda McCarthy and driven by Luke, the classy son of Sweet Lou then contested the G1 Queensland Derby on July 23, and this time around, Leap To Fame turned the tables on the 3yo, with the neck margin again coming into play. ‘Team McCarthy’ have kept Cantfindabettorman fresh for this assignment and with gate five being a suitable starting role, expect to see the gelding dictating the terms from start to finish. MY ULTIMATE BAXTER (3) was having his first outing since an 11.6m 5th to Major Perry in a heat of the NSW Derby back in February when he resumed with a costly 2.2m 3rd to Mr Bohannon a week ago in a heat of the Carousel. With Cam Hart dictating the terms, the Jarrod Alchin-trained son of Sweet Lou looked to have every chance, prior to being run down over the final stages. Fitter and suitably drawn, My Ultimate Baxter is bound to respond with a bold showing so don’t write him off. ROMANEE (11) appeared to be the ‘best of good things beaten’ here a couple of weeks ago when he ‘blew’ the start, prior to making up many metres in recording a 3.5m 4th to Mach Daddy, as a swell-supported favourite. The 4yo son of Bettors Delight has since being transferred to the Jack Trainor stable, and although the outside gate will welcome him, Romanee is worthy of exotic involvement. BREVITY (9) doesn’t win out of turn but trainer Cameron Ross has him ticking over nicely and he is capable of adding value to the exotics. Others to consider in that regard include RICKOSHAY (2), BOYZHAVTIME (7) and MARTY MAJOR (8).
CANTFINDABETTORMAN 1, My Ultimate Baxter 2, Romanee 3, Brevity 4.
RACE THREE:
With the reserve already withdrawn, the Blake Fitzpatrick trained and driven JALANEEL (3) will launch his claim from gate two, and that will certainly assist his claim on the major share of the prizemoney. Stepping out for his first challenge since scoring at Bathurst back on April 13, Jalaneel recorded a solid 1.5m 2nd behind the highly-regarded My Ultimate Ronnie at Penrith on Sept 8. In what appears to be an open contest, a fitter 3yo son of Heston Blue Chip will again be in the thick of the action from the outset and, this time around, Jalaneel is more than capable of going one better. With the benefit of two runs back from a break, IAMBECAUSEOFYOU (6) is capable of playing an active role in the finish. Spelled after a couple of useful efforts in Victoria when sent south to be prepared by Alex Ashwood, the son of Racing Hill resumed with a costly 2nd behind Immer Besser at Penrith before drawing the inside of the back row when a 19.4m 6th to My Ultimate Ronnie, again at the foot of the mountains on Sept 8. With those two runs lifting his level of fitness, Iambecauseofyou is capable of a competitive showing. Alex Alchin has two definite contenders in IM VEXATIOUS (4) and IM ROCKIN IT (7), with the former looking to be the best of them. Boasting a 50% winning strike rate after 10 starts, the son of Bling It On is coming off a costly and disappointing run at Newcastle on Sept 9 when he led in finishing a fading 7th to Rocknroll Mama, which recorded another impressive win a week later at the same venue. Peaking in condition following three runs back, the 3yo is entitled to another chance, with the draw also being a plus. KEILOR BABY SHARK (5) followed a hat-trick of wins with back-to-back solid second’s, the latter when she led when beaten narrowly by Marmitta at this venue. Although contesting a harder race the Peter Rixon-trained Four Starzzz Shark filly can’t be taken lightly as she is racing in career best form. SAINT VERAN (10) has drawn awkwardly out deep but the Steve Turnbull-trained 3yo strips fitter for a gritty return to racing which resulted in a 3.3m 5th to Shoulda Passed at Dubbo a couple of weeks ago. The son of Betting Line has plenty of talent and is bound to make his presence felt. IM ROCKIN IT (7), the second of the Alex Alchin team, has won his past three and despite the step-up in grade, the son of Pet Rock will again give a good account so don’t ignore his exotic prospects. CHEVRONS BYPASS (11) has the outside gate in a harder challenge but his form entitles him to consideration as a value exotic player.
JALANEEL 1, Iambecauseofyou 2, Im Vexatious 3, Keilor Baby Shark 4.
RACE FOUR:
Former Kiwi GO JACK RYAN (8) has thrived since making the trip across the ditch and linking up with David Thorn, and although he steps out against stronger opposition, it is hard to go past him as the one to beat. Contesting three runs during the course of his opening term of racing for the astute Menangle mentor, Go Jack Ryan headed to the paddock with a pleasing 4m 2nd to the talented Gliding Away next to his name. Resuming without the benefit of an official trial, the 5yo son of Mach Three cruised home from the one-one, which resulted in an untouched win over Forever Yin and Glenavril King, with horse and driver (Jack Trainor) failing to break out in a sweat. A progressive type, Go Jack Ryan is well-worth the gamble. CASSIUS DECK (9) has drawn one spot wider but the Steve Turnbull-prepared 4yo is bound to give a good account, which will be in keeping with his recent displays at Headquarters. Contesting a heat of the Carousel a week ago, Cassius Deck worked home stoutly in posting a pleasing 8.2m 4th to the promising Unfazed. The son of Rock N Roll Heaven is again likely to drift back to a rearward role, but he will be hitting the line with intent. ZAMBIA (6) hasn’t been disgraced in any of his past four unplaced displays at this venue, culminating in a gritty 9.4m 6th to Unfazed a week ago in a heat of the Carousel when he was left exposed outside of the leader. Better luck in running will certainly assist the 5yo in making a play for a role in the multiples. FOREVER YIN (2) is coming off a couple of useful efforts and from the good draw don’t dismiss him as an exotic contender. Expect a better showing from WESTERN STYLE (3) due to the better draw, and in turn that will boost his claims of being in the mix when the judge calls a halt. Despite recording a disappointing effort a week ago, TRIPLE FOUR (1) is capable of giving plenty of cheek from the pole while ROCKITA (4) and EVERYBODYLOVEDRAY (5) are also in the mix when it comes to forming multiple investments.
GO JACK RYAN 1, Cassius Deck 2, Zambia 3, Forever Yin 4.
RACE FIVE:
In what looks to be an evenly matched field of mares, the Cameron Ross-trained MACHS LEGACY (8) appeals as the one to beat. A model of consistency these days, the daughter of Mach three enjoyed as successful period of racing before heading to the paddock after a rare unplaced effort when last behind Elektra at Menangle back on March 15. Since returning, Machs Legacy has contested five races, with a win and four placings coming her way. Following a 22.7m demolition job on her rivals at Penrith, when she led throughout, the mare again looked to dictate the terms from start to finish when a gritty 1.8m 2nd behind Shadow Eclipse. A wider gate awaits the 4yo, and although dictating may not be on the table this time, the mare is more than capable of sitting off the pace and waiting her turn to be a major factor in the finish. ORCHID STRIDE (10) had been racing in fine fashion before missing out in each of her past two starts, the latter a week ago when contesting the G3 Norms Daughter. Badly away and being tailed off throughout, the daughter of American Ideal crossed the line a distant last behind her classy stablemate, Braeview Kelly. Jack Brown will again partner the 4yo and she is more than capable of being in the thick of the action from the outset. And, on her day, Orchid Stride would take a power of beating so respect her claims. WATTLEBANK LASS (11) hits peak fitness after four runs back, the latest resulting in a 6.8m 4th to Beau Cisholm at Bathurst a couple of weeks ago. The Art Major 5yo has a tough draw to overcome, however, when it comes to the multiples, the mare should be considered. ROCKNROLL MAMA (6) has recorded two impressive wins at Newcastle recently, either side of a 13.8m 8th to Black Onyx at Headquarters. Placed just twice from seven starts on her home track, the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance is racing in fine fashion and while in this confident frame of mind, a race of this nature is well within her reach. Exotic investors should also consider WHATS YOUR SECRET (9), which has been thereabouts in a number of recent outings, SCOTTS RAIN (7), LAVAZZA (4) and SHANLOU (5).
MACHS LEGACY 1, Orchid Stride 2, Wattlebank Lass 3, Rocknroll Mama 4.
RACE SIX:
The time-honoured Carousel Final is overflowing with an abundance of exciting talent and while some of the ‘power players’ in PORT AU PRINCE (1) and HEAVEN ON HIGH (2) have drawn ideally in one and two, respectively, the only mare facing the starter, TAY TAY (9) looks the one to beat, despite the presence of a wide gate. Usually based in Victoria where she is under the care of Alex Ashwood, the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven was left in the care of Jason Grimson after Alex campaigned a few runners in this neck of the woods last month. Boasting a superb record during her opening two seasons of racing, Tay Tay commenced her latest term with a comfortable all-the-way win over Masons Delight and Brevity. Contesting a heat of the Carousel last week, Tay Tay had little trouble dictating the terms after drawing gate two, but when the judge called a halt two classy mares in Braeview Kelly and Town Echo, both from the powerful Jack Trainor stable, managed to slip past Tay Tay, which finished a solid 2.6m third in the G3 Norms Daughter. That outing will certainly lift Tay Tay’s level of fitness, and although the draw is a hurdle, the prospect of a keenly contested 2300m race from start to finish, will allow the mare to have the final say. With a versatile racing pattern, drifting back at the start and allowing the action to unfold, should result in Tay Tay proving hard to hold out. PORT AU PRINCE (1) has been impressive in both runs for the KerryAnn Morris stable since coming over from New Zealand. Unlucky when a closing metre 3rd to My Ultimate Skeeta, courtesy of being blocked for a run until the final 50m, the son of Somebeachsomewhere then enjoyed a kind three peg role before Robert Morris secured the one-one on the point of the home turn. Although the winning margin was only a half-neck, the promising 4yo did the job in fine fashion and with gate one a big plus, and once again, Morris will be able to present Port Au Prince with a cosy trip, prior to pair making a bold bid for victory. HEAVEN ON HIGH (2) debuted for David Thorn with an emphatic 31m win on Aug 30, prior to his gritty 2nd behind Port Au Prince after the former Kiwi enjoyed a perfect trip behind the leader. The 4yo son of Rock N Roll Heaven did take more than a few strides to get into his work, but that run will certainly see a fitter gelding take to the track. Blake Fitzpatrick will take over the driving duties from Jack Trainor, who is required to drive MASONS DELIGHT (5), which he trains. BLACK ONYX (3) is the youngest member of the field, but he is also one of the most talented. The 3yo son of Bettors Delight led and enjoyed a kind run, en route to accounting for Louis Litt and Ardens Ace, and although this will be a tougher test, the draw has certainly given young Lleyton Green the opportunity to have Black Onyx in the mix from the outset. Charlie Pollicina has done a wonderful job with UNFAZED (6) and with the experienced G1 winning driver Gavin Fitzpatrick, who will be unfazed, the progressive 5yo son of Auckland Reactor is capable of causing somewhat of an upset. Unfazed has won his past two, courtesy of sitting back in the field, prior to coming with a well-timed sprint. Gav will again be looking to present unfazed with ‘clear air’ from the 200m. Exotic players should also consider the consistent LUKE JOHN (4) and MR BOHANNON (8) when forming transactions.
TAY TAY 1, Port Au Prince 2, Heaven On High 3, Black Onyx 4.
RACE SEVEN:
Apart from the running of the Carousel, the return to racing of EXPENSIVE EGO (7) will highlight the card. Off the scene since finishing a 9m 7th to his champion stablemate King Of Swing in the Miracle Mile back on March 12, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven has done nothing but please Belinda and Luke McCarthy during his time away from the racetrack. Contesting a 1609m trial at Menangle a week ago, the star 5yo sizzled around the track, stopping the clock in 1:49.8. With another exciting program mapped out in coming months, Expensive Ego should and will have little trouble recording the 22nd win of his career from a mere 36 appearances. Stablemate ALTA ORLANDO (8) has finished runner-up on three-consecutive occasions, culminating with a head defeat in the G3 Kevin Newman behind Whereyabinboppin. Due and deserving of a change of fortune, the gallant 10yo son of Courage Under Fire will again have to settle for being ‘second best’, but that certainly won’t be a disgrace when it comes to being behind Expensive Ego. The brave mare WAINUI CREEK (5) tried hard to overcome the role outside of the leader when a 4m 5th to Braeview Kelly a week ago in the G3 Norms Daughter. Prepared by Paul Fitzpatrick and to be driven by son Gav, the 6yo mare is racing in peak form, and although confronted by a tricky situation here, due to the presence of the ‘might and power’ of Expensive Ego, the classy daughter of Bettors Delight will again do herself proud. BUNDORAN (6) was suited by doing the hard work in carting the outside runners into battle last week when a gritty 1.7m 3rd to The Black Prince. Better suited when allowed to follow the tempo and ‘ping’ late, the son of Lincoln Royal will stake a claim for the role behind Expensive Ego when the judge calls a halt. A fitter OUR TRIPLE PLAY (4), along with STINGRAY TARA (2), which is back from a spell for new mentor Jack Trainor, also have minor claims when it comes to multiple investments.
EXPENSIVE EGO 1, Alta Orlando 2, Wainui Creek 3, Bundoran 4.
RACE EIGHT:
Despite being below his best, and coming off a disappointing display, TOUGH MONARCH (5) is still capable of reigning of his subjects and in the process, collect the 36th win of his marvellous career. Apart from 10 of those victories, all have been recorded at this venue, the same number of wins as DROP THE HAMMER (4), with the pair looking to go one better on the other this time around. And, in the process become the horse with the most wins recorded at Headquarters. Tough Monarch started favourite when he raced without cover in posting a tiring 13.3m 7th to Parisian Artiste at this venue back on Aug 27. That effort followed a couple of costly, unplaced outings at Albion Park, the latter an 18.3m 10th behind Wee Man Trouble in the G1 Queensland Trotters Cup. Freshened, and suitably drawn, the son of Monarchy will be keen to be crowned the winner. DROP THE HAMMER (4) has been placed in his past three encounters, the latest off a 30m hcp when beaten 15m by Regal Attire a week ago. A good beginner under the mobile conditions, the Darren Hancock trained and driven 7yo is poised to attack this race with a degree of confidence. ALDEBARAN REVANI (1) has been out of sorts following an outstanding start to her career ‘down under’. The former American-based mare won six-on-end but following her last to Parisian Artiste a few weeks ago when resuming, the daughter of Donato Hanover has now been unplaced on five occasions. However, Luke McCarthy said that Jack Callaghan has been working hard on getting her back to where she was and is confident of a far better showing. SUNNY GEE (8) is racing in the best form of his career, and although the 5yo has drawn the outside gate, with only seven rivals that won’t be a major concern. GUS AN MAORI (6) and MAJESTIC SIMON (7) have recent winning form and a strong display should be forthcoming while ANDOVERLOV (3) stays in the mix when exotic investments are being formed.
TOUGH MONARCH 1, Drop The Hammer 2, Aldebaran Revani 3, Sunny Gee 4.
RACE NINE:
With six placings from as many starts at this venue, former Kiwi MAJOR JELLIS (8) is entitled to top billing after placings in each of his past four starts at this venue. Following a mixed Queensland term of racing during the Winter carnival, the son of Art Major has been consistent performer for the Belinda McCarthy team, despite facing the starter from a wide gate. The 5yo started favourite a few weeks ago in posting an 8.4m 3rd behind Ziggy Rocks, but he had little luck in the process. Jack Brown will again take the reins for the McCarthy barn, and if better luck can be on offer this time around, then Major Jellis is capable of recording an overdue and deserving win. DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (6) is coming off a useful 7.9m 4th to Art Tutor on Tuesday, and although his best days are behind him, the 188-start veteran is still capable of making his presence felt, especially in a race of this nature. EL AGUILA (9) has a tricky draw to overcome, but the 6yo son of Presidential Ball is worthy of another chance after breaking gear when a 25m 9th to Blue Chip Delight a week ago. His form has been mixed of late, but El Aguila is capable of a competitive showing. An improved draw will certainly assist the claims of the Mark Callaghan-trained LACEYS LAD (3). The 7yo hasn’t had a great deal go his way of late, including a few outings here, then a Newcastle a couple of weeks ago when he posted a 27.3m last to Ashark. Forget that run when considering his claims as he had little luck, if any, in transit. The kinder draw should assist the son of Lis Mara in securing a suitable trip. A fitter and well-drawn HIDDEN COURAGE (2) has the chance to make his presence felt so don’t ignore his prospects. The interesting runner is TITIAN RAIDER (4), which is back in action after a disappointing run of five unplaced appearances. The 4yo son of Sunshine Beach has been off the scene following a 13.5m 9th to Fire Fox at Menangle back in mid-May. Prior to his run of outs, Titian Raider was a regular in finishing at the top of the order, or at the very least in second spot and on the odd occasion, he would clock-in third. A solid trial display at Penrith on Monday would suggest that trainer Harry Martin has him ready to resume with a strong display. If, Titian Raider finds his best for, then this race is his for the taking.
MAJOR JELLIS 1, Double Encounter 2, El Aguila 3, Laceys Lad 4.
– FORM ANALYSIS BY MIKE KO’CASS