Despite the presence of a tricky draw, YIANNI (11) is worthy of an investment in what appears to be a race of numerous chances. With an abundance of speed drawn closer to the pegs, the Jack Trainor-prepared son of Changeover should be suited by a solid tempo, and although he doesn’t win out of turn, he should have the race run suit. Placed in each of his past three encounters, Yianni has been beaten a total of less than three metres behind the likes of Justa Little Bit, One Two Many and more recently, Total Diva, with the mare prevailing by the head margin. With Trainor electing to take the reins behind Blue Chip Delight, Amanda Turnbull take the reins. FAZE OF GLORYYIANNI
(6) is one of those with a desire to be in the thick of the action from the outset and with the Nathan Turnbull stable enjoying an outstanding run of success in recent months, the son of Lincoln Royal is bound to play an active role in the finish. From his past 10 trips to the races the 4yo has collected four wins and a similar number of placings while finishing no further back than fifth. Faze Of Glory led throughout in posting back-to-back wins at Headquarters, the first over this trip of 2300m, while his most recent display resulted in a gritty 3.6m 3rd behind Total Diva and Yianni when he competed from behind the leader. BOOM (4) will definitely go in search of a prominent role, with the role of pacemaker his preferred role. The Dean Cernovkis trained and driven son of Alta Christiano was off the scene for a month, prior to leading when a fading 7.2m 5th behind Surfers Delight a couple of weeks ago. Prior to that run the 5yo had been in superb form and he can be expected to give plenty of cheek. BLUE CHIP DELIGHT (2) is poised to receive a kind run and Jack Trainor is confident that the former Victorian will run a bold race. First-up since early January and for Trainor, the 5yo posted a pleasing 7.2m 6th to Surfers Delight two weeks ago and with the benefit of that outing, and a suitable draw, Blue Chip Delight can’t be ignored as a winning contender. When it comes to the multiples, ULTIMATE FORCE (1) has the draw to assist in that regard while Robert Morris is confident that SURFERS DELIGHT (10), which has won his past two here, is again capable of being involved in the finish, despite coming up with a wider starting role.
YIANNI 1, Faze Of Glory 2, Boom 3, Blue Chip Delight 4.
RACE TWO:
The Melanie Elder-trained ASHARK (10) is coming off a tough and determined win at Newcastle, and although confronted by a difficult draw, the 7yo is again capable of greeting the judge. After finishing at the tail of the field in the race won by Wainui Creek, Ashark was given the chance toi regain some lost confidence, with Melanie allowing the son of Four Starzzz Shark the opportunity to ‘hunt’ for a win closer to home – hence his next three runs have all been on the Newcastle circuit. Pleasing efforts when a 9.5m 3rd to Ziggy Rocks, then a closing 4m 4th to Bright Energy, had Ashark circling another win and that was the case when a week ago when he overcame a back row draw, and a tough run, in accounting for Pops Boy and Marty Major. Apart from the draw, this will be a tougher test, but it isn’t out of his reach and with an in-form brother in Brad taking the reins, the Elder siblings are poised for further success. Suitably drawn and racing with plenty of confidence, ESCAPE ARTIST (4) looks the main threat to Ashark. Trained and driven by Brad Hewitt, the 3yo son of Tintin In America was shooting for the final leg of a hat-trick of Wagga wins when he led in finishing a gritty 3m 2nd behind another talented type, Victorian Nineteenth Man. The lightly-raced gelding will be taking on older rivals, but he has the ability to make a bold bid for victory. SOHO ALMASI (5) was able to appreciate the easier assignment last time out when the daughter of Mach Three led throughout in scoring at Newcastle recently, accounting for Don Boston and Power Surge. Boasting a 50% winning strike rate at this venue, following 10 outings, the Belinda McCarthy-trained 4yo has drawn handily in five, and that should result in Jack Callaghan looking to dictate the terms, a role which usually brings out the best in Soho Almasi. SO MUCH BETTOR (2) has been responsible for two creditable efforts at this venue, following a win at Wagga, and with the benefit of a good draw the David Micallef-conditioned 7yo warrants consideration when it comes to building exotic investments. FASIKA (8) has drawn wide but remains in contention on the back of two solid displays here while MYRA DAWN (7) and CHASING THE WIND (6) are value players for multiple consideration.
ASHARK 1, Escape Artist 2, Soho Almasi 3, So Much Bettor 4.
RACE THREE:
A further heat of the Carousel should result in the David Thorn-trained HEAVEN ON HIGH (2) qualifying a spot in the Final after the former Kiwi drew ideally in gate two. Stepping out for his first assignment in six weeks and a trip across the Tasman, the 4yo led for fun from gate eight, then relaxed perfectly before posting a sizzling 26.5 final 400m in defeating Get Ready To Rock and Will I Am, with Heaven On High and driver Jack Trainor, hardly breaking out in a sweat as they cruised home. This will be a harder test for the son of Rock N Roll Heaven but, both Thorn and Trainor are excited by his potential. TRIPLE FOUR (5) is another quality type from the Goulburn stables of Brad Hewitt and he is bound to make his presence felt. The 4yo has had a few weeks off since posting a costly 8.6m 4th to Taragaryen and Classie Washington at AP. Following a mixed Queensland campaign during the Winter Carnival, Triple Four will enjoy the opportunity to face the starter from a handy draw, after drawing the back row on a number of occasions, north of the border. Another former Kiwi in PORT AU PRINCE (1) was responsible for a respectable display when first-up for the KerryAnn Morris stable when he contested his first race in seven weeks. Drawing three in finding the lead before taking a trail, the 4yo son of Somebeachsomewhere was badly held up for a run until the final 50m, and which point he hit the line strongly while still under a hold in finishing a 1.2m 3rd to My Ultimate Skeeta. Fitter, and ideally drawn, Port Au Prince must be rated highly. Peter Russo has ROCK NIEN (4) racing in fine fashion with the pair unbeaten in three runs since the 4yo left Victoria. Although a tougher contest will await the son of A Rocknroll Dance, his claims as an exotic player can’t be ignored. BENALONG VALLEY (6) is always thereabouts and remains in the multiple mix while MACH DADDY (8) and ARDENS ACE (10) also have claims in that regard.
HEAVEN ON HIGH 1, Triple Four 2, Port Au Prince 3, Rock Nien 4.
RACE FOUR:
A further heat of the Carousel and the Jack Trainor prepared and driven LUKE JOHN (5) appeals as the one to beat in an open and tough contest. Following an easy win, then a solid 4.8m 2nd to the talented King Tiger at Penrith, Luke John stepped out at Menangle a couple of week ago and recorded a stylish win over Everybodylovedray and subsequent Bathurst winner, Myra Dawn. Allowed to settle in a midfield role the son of Mach Three swept down the middle of the track, and that is the same game plan Trainor is looking to adopt for this assignment. Definitely a harder test, Luke John is racing in fine fashion and that confidence will take him a long way towards further success. CASSIUS DECK (6) is capable of delivering the ‘knock-out’ blow. Prepared by Steve Turnbull and to be driven by son Mitch, the 4yo had recorded three placings from his previous four Menangle outings, prior to a solid 4.7m 5th to Black Onyx a week ago when he came from a deep peg role. A suitable trip this time around will result in Cassius Deck playing an active role in the finish. The Charles Pollicina-trained UNFAZED (7) has been impressive over the past couple of months, which has resulted in three wins and a couple of solid placings from his past six starts at this venue. The 5yo son of Auckland Reactor is coming off a stylish win over Bertie Jones and Stravinsky when he charged home from a middle field role. Gavin Fitzpatrick will likely look for a similar racing pattern as Unfazed continues to work his way through the grades. ZAMBIA (3) draws well and that will again allow the 5yo to be in the thick of the action from the outset, which has been the case of late. That has allowed the Dean Atkinson-trained son of Bettors Delight to record pleasing efforts, such as a 3.5m 4th to Gliding Away and the same role at the finish when beaten 3m by Romanee at Wagga. When sorting out exotic investments don’t dismiss FEAR CRUISIN (9) and BOYZHAVTIME (10), due to their wide gates, while HANDS ON (4) and a fitter BLAZING BANNER (1), which has had one run for Brad Hewitt, also stay in the mix.
LUKE JOHN 1, Cassius Deck 2, Unfazed 3, Zambia 4.
RACE FIVE:
The Jarrod Alchin-trained MY ULTIMATE BAXTER (5) is clearly the one to beat, despite being first-up since late February. Boasting seven wins and three placings from just 13 starts, the son of Sweet Lou has been off the scene since an 11.6m 5th to Major Perry in a heat of the NSW Derby at Menangle. Cam Hart was more than happy with bothMY ULTIMATE BAXTER
trials and is confident that My Ultimate Baxter will take a power of beating in a further heat of the Carousel. From his suitable starting position, My Ultimate Baxter will be in the thick of the action from the outset and that will make things difficult for his rivals. The interesting runner is MR BOHANNON (9), a newcomer to the in-form Peter Russo team, which has more than useful form behind him. Previously under the care of Andy Gath, the 6yo son of Washington VC started big odds last time out when a 28m 5th to Sirletic at Melton just under a month ago. A consistent type, usually against quality rivals on a regaular basis, Mr Bohannon has drawn awkwardly, but he has the talent to be involved in the finish. STRAVINSKY (8) resumed from a spell, a much lighter after being gelded, when a pleasing 5.9m 3rd to Unfazed at this venue a couple of weeks ago. Trainer, Jack Trainor was happy with the effort and is confident a fitter 4yo son of Sunshine Beach will again give a good account. TAMANISHA TERROR (7) was never a factor last week when a well-beaten 34.3m 7th to the classy mare Tay Tay, however, his form prior was creditable and claims as an exotic runner should be taken into account. Others to consider in that regard include SIR RICHARD LEE (1), GREY CADILLAC (2) and SHANLOU (4), with the trio value players due to drawing close to the pegs.
MY ULTIMATE BAXTER 1, Mr Bohannon 2, Stravinsky 3, Tamanisha Terror 4.
RACE SIX:
Jack Trainor will be hoping to do a ‘Chris Waller’ on his rivals after providing five of the 10 runners for the G3 Norms Daughter Ladyship Stakes. And, while he has the numbers on his side, Jack is still concerned that TAY TAY (2) and WAINUI CREEK (11) may prevent him from greeting the judge. Despite drawing the outside gate, and the ‘Trainor- factor’, WAINUI CREEK still appeals as the one to beat. Prepared by Hall of Famer Paul Fitzpatrick and to be driven by son Gav, the mare has been in wonderful form since a spell, winning three-on-end before posting a gallant 2nd to Total Diva, which has won since, in the G3 Ranji Bill, then a gritty nose 2nd to Pitch Perfect a couple of weeks ago. In the majority of her recent appearances, the 6yo daughter of Bettors Delight has been confronted by wide gates and while that is always a concern, the mare has been able to adapt to the situation, either using her gate speed or her ‘sit and sprint’ approach. The latter is likely to apply here as their is speed drawn inside and Gav will be looking to use the power up front, in bringing Wainui Creek with a late surge. TAY TAY (2) is a class act and with gate two next to her name, the Victorian mare is bound to take a power of beating. Left in the care of Jason Grimson by Alex Ashwood, the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven had been off the scene since scoring at Bendigo on December 30, when she confronted the starter at Menangle last week. Working across from gate nine, Tay Tay was rated to perfection by Cam Hart in comfortably accounting for Masons Delight and Brevity. Fitter, ideally drawn and with the prospect of dictating or at the very least, sitting behind the leader, Tay Tay will take a power of beating, with a confident Cam Hart looking forward to taking the reins once again. Since joining his powerful team, former Kiwi BRAEVIEW KELLY (6) has gone from ‘strength-to-strength’ and in the space of four runs the mare has posted three wins and a gallant second to stablemate B K Swy, leaving Jack Trainor excited about her future. And, according to Jack, the daughter of Bettors Delight is still a ‘wrok in progess’, but she is getting there with every run. Braeview Kelly is coming off an emphatic win a week ago when she sat back in a midfield role, prior to unleashing a big run in easily accounting for Fasika and Heavenly Holly. This will be her biggest test to date, but Braeview Kelly must be given plenty of respect as she may well turn out to be a special talent. B K SWY (7) has won two of her past three, with a solid 6.5m 3rd to Total Diva in the G3 Ranji Bill splitting those two superb displays. The daughter of Big Jim accounted for Braeview Kelly a few weeks ago, with the victory certainly no fluke. With the prospect of a keenly contested race from the outset, Jack Brown will be looking to ‘cuddle’ B K Swy for as long as possible before letting her ‘do her thing’ over the final 300m. Another Trainor runner is TOWN ECHO (9), which has been off the scene since taking out the G1 Golden Girl at AP back on July 16. A daughter of Art Major, Town Echo has trialled strongly for her return and it will come as no surprise to see the mare playing a vital role in the finish.
WAINUI CREEK 1, Tay Tay 2, Braeview Kelly 3, B K Swy 4.
RACE SEVEN:
It was hard to miss the outstanding return to racing of THE BLACK PRINCE (4) a week ago and with the benefit of that run and a far better draw,the Bettors Delight gelding appeals as the one to beat. Prepared by Roy Roots Jnr, The Black Prince headed to the paddock after an 11m 9th behind Mach Da Vinci over the 2300m of the Menangle circuit on March 19. After posting two solid trials the 7yo contested the G3 Kevin Newman, with the oustide gate resulting in Robert Morris restraining the 7yo, securing a midfield role as the field sorted out their respective positions. Although never a threat, The Black Prince hit the line with intent, resulting in a closing 3.4m 4th to Whereyabinboppin. Morris is looking to secure a role closer to the action with The Black Prince and he is confident such a run will result in the Newcastle visitor being involved in the finish. BUNDORAN (5) also went around in the race won by Whereyabinboppin and, like The Black Prince, the Amanda Turnbull trained and driven 5yo was responsible for a big effort in defeat. Making up many metres from a five peg role, the son of Lincoln Royal ended the 1609m challenge in fifth spot, beaten 5.5m. A stylish winner over this course and distance three runs back when he powered home in defeating Alta Orlando and Malcolms Rhythm, Bundoran is capable of repeating that effort once again. OUR TRIPLE PLAY (8) will be stepping out for his first assignment since a 9.6m 3rd behind Star Galleria at Menangle on April 17. Another member of the Brad Hewitt team, the talented 8yo son of Shadow Play has had the benefit of two trials, and although the outside gate appears next to his name, with only seven rivals that won’t be a big disadvantage. With a sound record at this venue, Our Triple Play warrants more than just a passing thought. The ‘x-factor’ is the former Kiwi star A GS WHITE SOCKS (6) which has been unplaced in four runs, all at Albion Park during the Winter Carnival, since joining the Belinda McCarthy stable. A GS White Socks has been freshened since recording a creditable 7m 8th to I Cast No Shadow back on July 23, with the gelding heading into this contest fresh. Without a win since January 2020 when successful in the Ballarat Cup, A Gs White Socks is best kept safe at this stage. When it comes to the multiples, PETES SAID SO (7) has done enough of late to warrant a spot.
THE BLACK PRINCE 1, Bundoran 2, Our Triple Play 3, A GS White Socks 4.
RACE EIGHT:
With two rivals already withdrawn from the contest, former Kiwi REGAL ATTIRE (4) has the chance to break through for his initial win on Australian soil after joining the Jarrod Alchin stable with a pleasing record. The son of Muscle Hill won a trial in fine fashion, prior to contesting a 2300m event here last week, which was conducted under mobile conditions. Crossing from gate nine, Regal Attire settled outside of the leader, en route to recording a determined head 2nd to a fitter One Majic Kenny, which enjoyed a kinder run off the pace. Fitter for that outing the 4yo has drawn the front line for this handicap challenge, with position two behind the tapes now on offer, Back home Regal Attire contested 12 races under these conditions, resulting in three wins and seven placings. A safe beginner should result in Cam Hart sending Regal Attire to the front and that will result in the pair proving hard to beat. The main dangers to Regal Attire will be MAJESTIC SIMON (9) and DROP THE HAMMER (10), however, the pair will be called upon to overcome a 30m handicap if one or the other is to enjoy a successful night out at Menangle. MAJESTIC SIMON is the veteran of 61 races from behind the tapes, with 16 wins and 18 placings coming his way. The 7yo has been mixing his form of late, with a solid win over Gus An Maori and Drop The Hammer, followed by an 8.8m 5th to Parisian Artiste. Despite his daunting handicap, Majestic Simon won’t be far away when the judge calls a halt to proceedings. DROP THE HAMMER (10) may be a shade below his best these days, but the 7yo can’t be taken lighthy. The veteran of just six stand start encounters, the 7yo son of Bettors Delight has two wins and a placing to show for his efforts. Prepared and driven by Darren Hancock, Drop The Hammer has finished third in each of his past two outings, firstly behind Majestic Simon, then Parisian Artiste and each time he has been prominent in battling on stoutly. Although he hasn’t won in a year, Drop The Hammer can’t be taken lightly. SUNNY GEE (7) is racing in career best form and with solid stats in races of this nature, the Majestic Son 5yo will be looking to continue his recent run of quality displays. ONE MAJIC KENNY (6) managed to bounce back nto winning form last week, and with pleasing stand form, the Blake Fitzpatrick-trained 5yo stays in the mix, especially when it comes to the exotics. Blake will take the reins behind CALIGULA (8), which strips fitter for a well-beaten 8th to Parisian Artiste, but at this stage looks safely held with minor exotic claims appearing best. Jack Trainor has been booked to drive One Majic Kenny.
REGAL ATTIRE 1, Majestic Simon 2, Drop The Hammer 3, One Majic Kenny 4.
