Tasty to delight punters in Final

RACE ONE:
With the benefit of two runs since a spell, and a subsequent solid trial effort on his home track of Goulburn, SEND IT (8) is capable of playing an active role in the finish. Prepared by Brad Hewitt, who will also handle the driving duties, the son of Western Terror opened his latest term of racing with a safely held 13.6m 7th to The Croupier, prior to a pleasing effort when a 6.8m 4th to Doubtless Bay at Headquarters a month ago. Without a win since scoring at Albion Park in July 2021, Send It has drawn wide in an open and tough engagement and if Brad can secure a suitable trip, then Send It will give a good account and at a suitable price. SOHO SINATRA (5) had every chance a week ago when in behind the leader in posting a gritty 9.9m 2nd to Our Money Rocks, which did the majority of the hard work in scoring. The 6yo son of Betterthancheddar has been placed in three of his past five starts at this venue and with the Peter Russo-Jack Callaghan coming of another successful day at the office on Tuesday, the 6yo must be respected, especially from gate five, which will become four if the reserve isn’t required. ROCK FISHERMAN (6) battled on stoutly from a three peg role when a 5m 4th to Cassius Deck in a heat of the New Years Gift a week ago. The Bernie Hewitt-conditioned son of Pet Rock has drawn reasonably and that should allow and that should allow son Doug to have the 6yo in the mix from the outset. Although still a maiden at Menangle following 17 attempts, Rock Fisherman continues to ‘lure’ punters in, and that will again be the case. Ideally drawn in one, ROCK OF DELIGHT (1) is bound to be in the mix when the judge calls a halt while multiple transactions should also include the consistent OLD LUKE (7), along with LITTLE BLISS (9) and COOL ROCKING DADDY (3).
SEND IT 1, Soho Sinatra 2, Rock Fisherman 3, Rock Of Delight 4.

RACE TWO:
Throughout the course of the current cricket series, against the West Indies and South Africa, the pitch has been the centre of attention in regards to be either being too difficult or too easy. Well, trainer Roy Roots Jnr has prepared a ‘perfect pitch’ for the running of this event in the shape of PITCH PERFECT (3). The son of Bettors Delight will be having his first assignment since recording a respectable 1.9m 3rd to Jilliby Sylvester and Crime Writer in the consolation of the Inter Dominion at Melton back on December 10. Despite finishing 10th in his opening two heats, Pitch Perfect wasn’t disgraced in finishing less than 10m from the winner. The 7yo wrapped up his heat engagements with a creditable 16.4m 3rd to Mach Dan. Returning to a far more suitable challenge and from an ideal draw, a fresh Pitch Perfect has had the benefit of sound Penrith trial on Monday behind his star stablemate, The Black Prince, which will tackle the FFA event on the card. Tom Ison, who is driving with plenty of confidence, will take the reins and a strong showing should be forthcoming. The Sean Grayling trained and driven PUMP THE BRAKES (6) has drawn closer to the pegs than usual and that will be a plus. The 9yo is coming off another honest effort in finishing a closing neck 4th to the classy mare B K Swy a week ago. Sean will have the opportunity to have the 145-start veteran closer to the action and that will boost his claims of being a serious threat. DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (8) scored here three starts back and has been solid in defeat since. Following a 7m 6th to Braedos Lad when he drew 10 and settled five pegs, the 9yo, which has 201 starts to his credit, then worked in posting a brave neck 3rd to B K Swy a week ago. After being sidelined since a nasty fall at Penrith on December 29, Steph Morris will be back in action and she will partner the son of Village Jasper once again. LETS GET ROCKIN (10) has drawn awkwardly out deep but the Michael Doltoff-prepared son of Mach Three is rarely far-away when the judge calls a halt, so don’t ignore the 5yo when it comes to looking for possible dangers. BE MY ROSE (11) has been mixing her form and the draw is certainly a concern, however, the mare is entitled to be included in the multiples, along with HE BETTOR STEP ASIDE (9) and KINGMAKER (2), which draws ideally and with good gate speed the Belinda McCarthy-trained 7yo should secure a prominent role from the outset.
PITCH PERFECT 1, Pump The Brakes 2, Double Encounter 3, Lets Get Rockin 4.

RACE THREE:
Unbeaten in six starts since a spell, and with an overall record of eight wins and three placings from 14-starts, sparingly-raced 5yo INTERVIEW (10) has landed the main job when it comes to the trotting event on the card. A member of the astute Anton Golino team in Victoria, the son of Traders has been a dominant figure in all of his races of late, dictating the terms on most occasions. Two starts back and Interview overcame a back row draw and the role outside of the leader in beating subsequent Cobram Trotters Cup winner, the classy Dont Care. Interview than followed that gritty effort with a comfortable all-the-way win at Geelong, accounting for Chinese Whisper and Lunchwitharthur. The entire has received the visitors draw in coming up with gate 10, which will become nine if the reserves stays on the bench. To offset that hurdle, champion reinsman Luke McCarthy has been booked to guide Interview to his seventh-consecutive win. Outside of the Victorian and the race takes on an open appearances, with the talented mare ALDEBARAN TESS (6) heading the list of possible threats. Prepared by Sofia Arvidisson, who will also take the reins, the daughter of Muscle Hill is proving hard to follow of late, with a stylish win two starts back, then followed by a useful 12.2m 5th to On Advice a week ago when the 6yo made up good ground in coming from an eight peg role on the home turn. The draw is reasonable and if a role closer to the actions comes the way of Aldebaran Tess, that will certainly result in a competitive showing. ON ADVICE (11) has drawn the outside gate, but the Blake Fitzpatrick-prepared son of Sebastian K is coming off a solid win a week ago when he worked home strongly in defeating stablemate Caligula and Drop The Hammer, and, he looked to have something in reserve at just his second run back from a spell.ONE MAJIC KENNY (9), which is also under Blake’s care, strips fitter for two handy efforts since a spell and he should be linked to the exotics, along with QUEEN OF STRATHFIELD (5), ROYAL GLENFERRIE (7) and RAVE ON HALL (8).
INTERVIEW 1, Aldebaran Tess 2, On Advice 3, One Majic Kenny 4.

RACE FOUR:
This appears to be a race of numerous chances, but is hard to go past the David Thorn-trained OUR MONEY ROCKS (6), which is coming off a determined win a week ago after doing the bulk of the ‘tough stuff’ in greeting the judge. Drifting back to a rearward role, prior to being outside of the leader approaching the final bend, the 6yo kept grinding away gamely, eventually pulling clear of the chasers in easily defeating Soho Sinatra and Uncle Jay. The son of A Rocknroll Dance was having his first run for the stable, following three runs in Victoria, which came on the back of a career in this State. Handily drawn, Our Money Rocks is entitled to top billing. YANKEE IDEAL (3) has drawn well and that will assist the Paul Fitzpatrick-trained 5yo in his quest for a shot at the top spot. The consistent son of American Ideal followed a determined win at Penrith with an 11.3m 4th to Timely Sovereign at the same venue when he drew the back row once again, which resulted in a midfield role. In-form reinsman Sean Grayling should have Yankee Ideal closer to the action this time around. JIMARTEE (1) finished runner-up at Penrith behind Uncle Chan and Back In Twenty, respectively, before overcoming a 2nd line draw in defeating Loorrim Creek and Manly Mach at that venue recently. The Noel Hatcher-trained 6yo son of Sportswriter rises in grade, but gate one will help offset that hurdle and a kind run will certainly assist Jimartee in making his presence felt. R ELEVEN ART (9) won three on end, two at Penrith, the other at Newcastle, prior to having every chance here last week when an 18.5m 4th behind Joe Nien. Prepared by Belinda McCarthy and to be driven by Luke, the 4yo has another wide gate to overcome in what looks to be a slightly harder contest, but claims as an exotic player remain in place. YUKO (5) is racing well, despite a couple of recent unplaced runs, so don’t dismiss as an exotic contender, while CARLO GAMBINO (10) and ALTA BILLY (4), both members of the Amanda Turnbull team also have claims in that department.
OUR MONEY ROCKS 1, Yankee Ideal 2, Jimartee 3, R Eleven Art 4.

RACE FIVE:
Following a disappointing end to his Inter Dominion campaign, multiple cup’s winner SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (9) returns to racing after having a month off. The Belinda McCarthy-trained son of Sweet Lou ended his heat qualifying period with a 23.4m 10th to Mach Dan in the third and final round, prior to contesting the $500,000 Final at Melton on Dec 10. Drawing well and receiving and a handy run throughout, three back in the running line, Spirit Of St Louis was never a factor in recording a 31m last behind I Cast No Shadow. Freshened and contesting a suitable assignment, the highly-regarded 6yo has the chance to bounce back strongly, prior to heading back to Victoria for another shot at feature events. Stablemate MACH SHARD (9), with the Luke McCarthy taking the reins, won in fine fashion here two starts ago, prior to contesting the G2 Shirley Turnbull Memorial at Bathurst on Boxing Day. Drawing the second row for the 2790m challenge, the 8yo son of Mach three was always in a rearward role in working home stoutly in posting a slid 4.5m 4th to Smooth Baht. The outside gate awaits Mach Shard in the field of nine, but he is capable of making his presence felt from the outset. PETES SAID SO (6) has grown in stature over the past 12 months and he is more than capable of giving ‘Team McCarthy’ a fright. After a number of gritty efforts in FFA company and various feature races, the KerryAnn Morris-trained son of Well Said was rewarded with a trip south to contest the Inter Dominion. Three solid heat displays resulted in a spot in the Final, but a back row draw didn’t help his cause. Despite competing from a five peg role, Petes Said So produced a big effort in recording a 8.9m 6th to I Cast No Shadow. Back home and next stop for the 7yo was the Shirley Turnbull Memorial and once again a tricky 2nd line draw came into play. Four pegs for the majority of the contest, Robert Morris weaved his way into a winning position on sighting the winning post, only to be run down in the final couple of strides by Smooth Baht, courtesy of the sprint lane. STINGRAY TARA (4) finished a creditable 9.4m 6th in the same above-mentioned race and from his good draw, the Jack Trainor trained and driven 7yo will be poised to give a good account. THE BLACK PRINCE (7) produced three sound heat efforts in the ID, prior to posting a 9.6m 8th to Jilliby Sylvester in the consolation. Throughout the series the Roy Roots Jnr-trained 8yo was beaten 9.6m or less. A solid trial win at Penrith on Monday has the classy son of Bettors Delight primed for a bold showing. SMOOTH BAHT (3) can’t be ignored when it comes to multiple transactions.
SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS 1, Mach Shard 2, Petes Said So 3, Stingray Tara 4.

RACE SIX:
The running of the New Years Gift Final should see TASTY DELIGHT (2) back in the winner’s circle since July 21/2021. Just two months after that display and the Brian Portelli trained and driven son of Bettors Delight would suffer a deep bone rise, which result in an extended period on the sidelines. Tasty Delight stepped out for his first run since Sept/2021 and, it was a successful return on the track, however, Tasty Delight lost first spot on protest to Western Style. Contesting the bulk of the race from outside the leader, Tasty Delight was brave in defeat. Stripping fitter and drawing ideally in gate two, Brian will be looking to take this race by the ‘scruff of the neck’ from the outset, with the former Bathurst Gold Crown winner definitely the one to run form that point onwards. A win would certainly ease the that pain that no doubt lingers on from the previous week. The main threat to Tasty Delight, if there is one, will come from WAVETHEBILL (12). Following two costly displays in finishing at the rear of the fields, courtesy of poor manners in the score-up, the former Kiwi returned to wearing hopples last week and it certainly restored his confidence. From the outside gate, which will again apply, the 5yo worked across the face of the field, with Robbie Morris securing the role behind the leader. Held up for a run, prior to securing a clear passage, the son of Net Ten Eom, hit the line strongly in gaining the verdict over One Big Shew and Double Act. Highly-regarded by Lucky Ludge, Wavethebill must be respected. ONE BIG SHEW (5), following a creditable period of racing in Victoria, was game in defeat last week so expect another competitive showing from the Rickie Alchin trained and driven, 5yo son of Rock N Roll Heaven. BOOM (3) strips fitter for his photo 2nd to Cassius Deck and with gate three an ideal starting point, the 6yo is worthy of exotic involvement, along with WESTERN STYLE (10) and CASSIUS DECK (11). If, first reserve DOUBLE ACT (8) comes offthe bench, then include the 5yo in the multiples as his run in finishing a 1.3m 3rd to Wavethebill was outstanding when having his first run since late May.
TASTY DELIGHT 1, Wavethebill 2, One Big Shew 3, Boom 4.

RACE SEVEN:
Boasting wins in five of her past six starts, PUNT AWAY (5), despite being confronted by a harder challenge, remains the one to beat. A recent addition to the Jack Trainor team, the daughter of Sportswriter debut for the stable with a comfortable all-the-way win over Arabella Star and Yuko a few weeks ago. At this stage, only eight runners will face the starter with the talented 5yo mare drawing gate five. With natural gate speed, Punt Away should be able to dictate the terms, if Jack so desires, with FAIRY TINKABELL (8) a possible contender for that role, however, the mare has been struggling of late. OUR COWGIRLS N LACE (7) is bound to make a big impression after a solid display here a week ago. Contesting her third run back from a spell, and for new mentor Paul Fitzpatrick, the 6yo mare won in fine fashion at Penrith two starts back before finishing just two metres behind the classy B K Swy last week, coming from three back in the running line in collecting fifth spot. The small field will suit the daughter of Bettors Delight as it will mean fewer runners to pass in the home straight. DELIGHTFUL ANGEL (6) has been in fine form of late for Jarrod Alchin, with the mare coming off a determined half-neck 2nd to B K Swy last week after being three pegs. A wider gate will await Delightful Angel, but that won’t be a major concern. On her best form FAIRY TINKABELL (8) would take a power of beating, and that may still be the case, however, recent efforts would suggest otherwise. Back from a disappointing Queensland campaign, the daughter of Big Jim posted a photo 2nd to Total Diva, prior to leading when a moderate 19.8m 7th to Be My Rose here on Dec 3. Belinda McCarthy has kept the 7yo fresh, and although this will be a tough challenge, don’t totally ignore the 7yo, especially when it comes to the multiples. There is a ‘duck egg’ next to the name of SPLASH OF CRIMSON (2), however, totally forget she went around last week in finishing a 26.6m last to Joe Nien as the mare didn’t have any luck in the home straight when caught up in traffic. WHATS YOUR SECRET (4) continues to be thereabouts and a change of luck would see the mare being involved in the finish.
PUNT AWAY 1, Our Cowgirls N Lace 2, Delightful Angel 3, Fairy Tinkabell 4.

RACE EIGHT:
Another open contest to wrap-up proceedings with at least six definite contenders for the top spot, so there should be value on offer. The Leon Jurd stable has been enjoying a good run of late and the consistent LOCHIEL (6) is capable of continuing the good work. The 6yo son of Lincoln Royal is now five runs into his time with Leon, with the gelding being thereabouts in all of those outings, mostly in harder races, compared to this challenge. Lochiel has drawn 10 in each of his past two encounters, resulting in a 3.2m 4th to Elektra, followed by a closing 5.2m 5th behind Cassius Deck in a heat of the New Years Gift last week. Lochiel hasn’t greeted the judge in 13 months, but this race will give him the chance to pay the judge a visit. OUR ACTION MAN (4) led for an easy win at Penrith, but since that run has finished at the rear of the field at Maitland in the race won by Master Catch, then to Jimartee at Penrith. Forget the Maitland outing as the 5yo galloped out before breaking in running and tailing off. And, he is certainly better than his latest run would suggest. Handily drawn, Our Action man is worthy of another chance. BLUE CHIP DELIGHT (7) is usually thereabouts and he is coming off a creditable 12.2m 4th to Our Money Rocks last Saturday. The 6yo is capable of being involved in the finish while LUCKY BEACH BOY (9), like so many runners here, is more than capable of being in the mix when the judge calls a halt. Both IDEAL ESCAPE (2) and OUTSIDE FIGHTER (10), which finished an 8.7m 3rd to Classicmajor here on Tuesday, are also worthy of more than a passing thought.
LOCHIEL 1, Our Action Man 2, Blue Chip Delight 3, Lucky Beach Boy 4.

• MIKE KOCASS