Veteran’s chance to return to winners’ circle
RACE ONE:
Suitably drawn and a winner at this venue four starts back, NERANO (3) is worth the gamble in what appears to be a race overflowing with definite contenders for the major share of the prizemoney. Prepared by Ellen Bartley and to be driven by Blake Jones, the son of Tintin In America accounted for Faze Of Glory and Smooth Overarm back in mid-July, with the runner-up then winning two of his next three while being placed on the other so the form is more than creditable out of that race. Following his Menangle success, Nerano ventured to Victoria and was safely held in all three encounters, all strong, competitive races so this will be a far more suitable assignment, with the draw also being far more favourable. The 5yo will be in the thick of the action from the outset and that will certainly assist his claims. Exeter trainer-driver James Rattray has thee excellent chances on the card, commencing with TINDER SURPRISE (5), which has been placed in three of his past four Menangle engagements. The former Victorian hasn’t won since January 2021 when successful at Melton, however, the 5yo is more than capable of giving the top spot a big nudge. A son of Betterthanceddar, Tinder Surprise has been runner-up in each of his past two outings, beaten 3.4m behind Camanchi Warrior, prior to an 11m 2nd to Surfers Delight. Handily drawn, Tinder Surprise will again be competitive. JAZZY STAR (9) has been mixing his form of late but a last-start 4.4m 3rd to Surfers Delight a week ago was a tough and gritty display after doing plenty of work from the outside gate. Another wide gate awaits the Trevor Munday-trained son of Auckland Reactor, but don’t write him off as a threat. EL AGUILA (10) drew three when he led in scoring here last week, with Cassius Deck and Benalong Valley filling the minors. Despite the wide gate the Peter Russo-prepared 6yo stays in the mix, particularly when it comes to the multiples. Others to consider in that regard are CHEVRON ART (1), which will enjoy the pole position, SO MUCH BETTOR (2), ALWAYS ROCKIN (7) and RICKOSHAY (8).
NERANO 1, Tinder Surprise 2, Jazzy Star 3, El Aguila 4.
RACE TWO:
Although confronted by the outside gate, DOUBTLESS BAY (10) will at least appreciate the drop in grade, which will certainly help offset his starting role. Prepared by Jason Grimson and to be driven by Sofia Arvidsson, Doubtless Bay scored here five starts ago in defeating Boyzhavtime and Fear Cruisin and has been competirive in races won by Petes Said So, which was a G3 assignment, Justa Little Bit, One Two Many and just a week ago, Pitch Perfect, with the event being a FFA contest. On that occasion the son of Bettors Delight was always in a handy role on the pegs, firstly three back, then behind the leader on the home turn, when beaten 1.2m in finishing 4th to Pitch Perfect with Alta Orlando and Wainui Creek just ahead of him in filling the minors. It would be safe to say that Alta Orlando or Wainui creek would start in ‘deep red’ figures and have little trouble taking out this race. Also drawing wide in one spot better off is ONE TWO MANY (9), which looms as the main threat. Prepared by Amanda Turnbull, who will also take the reins, One Two Many has been in superb form at Headquarters in recent months, chalking up three wins and a second from his past five starts. The 4yo son of Captain Treacherous accounted for Doubtless Bay back on August 20 when he finished strongly in posting a margin of 1.6m between the pair. Ideally drawn in two and racing in a ‘purple patch’ of form is FAZE OF GLORY (2), and although the Nathan Turnbull-trained son of Lincoln Royal is up in grade, he remains a contender for the top spot. Rated to perfection by Nathan in each of his past two wins, the latter defeating Spirit Of Anzac and Holy Camp Dillon, Faze Of Glory again appears to be the one they have to run down. ULTIMATE FORCE (1) scored here two starts ago, prior to a solid 2.8m 5th to Orchid Stride a couple of weeks ago. The ideal draw will allow Michael Formosa to present the 6yo with a kind in readiness to make a play for a role in the finish. Exotic investors should also consider SPIRIT OF ANZAC (4), which isn’t out of the mix when it comes to winning chances, ZIGGY ROCKS (5), TOTAL DIVA (6) and YIANNI (8). MAJOR OBAHMA (3) is back after a productive campaign, with two safely held trials behind in readiness for his first outing since late June. At this stage others make more appeal.
DOUBTLESS BAY 1, One Two Many 2, Faze Of Glory 3, Ultimate Force 4.
RACE THREE:
With another G1 trophy to his credit, Jack Trainor holds the key to this event with BRAEVIEW KELLY (7) and ORCHID STRIDE (10 representing his training establishment. Jack will stick with Braeview Kelly while Jack Brown will jump back in the sulky behind Orchid Stride, with the talented youngster guiding that particular mare to three of her past four wins. BRAEVIEW KELLY commenced her career with Trainor with a stylish all-the-way win at Headquarters on Aug 2, then backed up 11 days later in again scoring in fine fashion, despite breaking soon after the start before recovering to dictate the terms for most of the trip in defeating Western Style and Surfers Delight, which has won since. The former Kiwi then competed from a midfield role when a solid 1.2m 2nd behind her classy stablemate B K Swy a couple of weeks ago. If the reserve isn’t required, the Bettors Delight mare will launch her claim from six and that should see Trainor contesting this race from the front. ORCHID STRIDE also has the gate speed to come across from nine and set the tempo, or at the very least, enjoy the back of her stablemate. The 4yo mare has won six of her past seven, with an all-the-way win over Tamanisha Terror and Dance For Glory coming her way two weeks ago. This will be a harder test for Orchid Stride but she has certainly blossomed into a talented performer this season so she must be shown plenty of respect. FASIKA (9) led when successful at Bankstown last time out, and although the 4yo daughter of Sweet Lou has also drawn deep, the mare must be included as a potential threat. Also, the mare will strip in peak condition following three runs back. HEAVENLY HOLLY (8) broke through for a deserving win when she accounted for Whats Your Secret and Shanlou recently. Despite drawing a few gates wider, the Rock N Roll Heaven mare will again give a good account. LITTLE BLISS (10) has the outside gate to overcome, but include the Art Major mare in exotic transactions, along with IM PRESI BELLE (6) and SOVIET STUNNER(3).
BRAEVIEW KELLY 1, Orchid Stride 2, Fasika 3, Heavenly Holly 4.
RACE FOUR:
The Club Menangle Waratah Final is as ‘open as the Sydney Heads’ so there should be plenty of value on offer. The David Kennedy-trained ROMANEE (7) will carry the seven saddlecloth, however, if the two reserves don’t come off the bench, the son of Bettors Delight draws nicely in five. Three runs back the Narrandera visitor drew wide, but secured the one-one, when a creditable 4.9m 4th behind Ardens Reality at this venue in a heat of the Winter Championship. Unfazed, which finished second, has since won impressively at Menangle on Tuesday. Returning to Wagga for his next outing, Romanee raced without cover when a gritty 3m 3rd to Ideal Escape, prior to again working, but this time proving too good for God Bless You and Fire And Sword last week. Rodney Coelli will replace Jackson Painting and with the prospect of a kinder run, Romanee will be in for the fight once again. MACH DADDY (6) had been mixing his form before displaying plenty of fight in defeating Ripponlea and Substitooth at Dubbo last week he lifted himself off the canvas in scoring by a narrow margin. The 4yo son of Mach Three has a suitable draw and is again capable of being involved in the finish. BENEATH THE SHADOW (12) covered more ground than the early explorers in defeating Tallaringa Harms and Heavenly Belle at Newcastle last week. After losing ground at the start, courtesy of breaking, the Adam Ruggari-trained 5yo was trapped three deep for the balance of the contest. The son of Shadow Play has drawn the outside gate, but he warrants more than a passing thought. BURNS BAY (9) has been mixing his form but stays under notice while GOD BLESS YOU (8), SAMMI DANCE (10) and MISS LEMON (11) should be linked to the multiples, with anyone of that particular quartet capable of greeting the judge, without surprising.
ROMANEE 1, Mach Daddy 2, Beneath The Shadow 3, Burns Bay 4.
RACE FIVE:
Back from a spell and ideally drawn in gate four, which is courtesy of the first reserve being withdrawn, BLACK ONYX (5) looks to be a suitable investment. The promising son of Bettors Delight was shooting for a hat-trick of wins, following stylish wins at Menangle, when he led and had every chance in finishing a fading 5.7m 3rd to Unfazed and Ed Mendes at this venue on June 28. Freshened, and coming off two solid trials efforts, both resulting in wins, the Dean and Kerry McDowell-trained 3yo has continued to impress and he looks suitably placed in this contest. Confronted by a wide gate, ARDENS REALITY (11) will have race fitness on Black Onyx and that make him a dangerous rival, despite the tricky draw. The Amanda Turnbull trained and driven 5yo finished a creditable 7.7m 4th behind another McDowell runner last week in Gliding Away. The draw won’t be a major issue with Ardens Reality as he is usually driven back in the pack before coming with a surge over the final 200m. CASSIUS DECK (7) has collected three placings from his past four starts at this venue, the latest a gritty 3m 2nd behind El Aguila a week ago when he worked home stoutly from a rearward role. The Steve Turnbull-trained 4yo will start from six if the second reserve doesn’t come into play and that will suit the Bathurst visitor. BENALONG VALLEY (8) has been thereabouts in most of his recent encounters, with a last-start 10m 3rd behind El Aguila a week ago, being one of his better efforts of late. On that display the Shadow Play 7yo should be linked to multiple investments. Also consider ROCKNROLL MAMA (3), which is coming off a solid Newcastle win, LOUIS LITT (9) and ARDENS ACE (10.
BLACK ONYX 1, Ardens Reality 2, Cassius Deck 3, Benalong Valley 4.
RACE SIX:
The Kevin Newman G3 FFA will see the veteran ALTA ORLANDO (1) receive every chance to record a deserving win after finishing runner-up in his past two assignments in similar events. Prepared by Belinda McCarthy the son Of Courage Under Fire has been costly of late, commencing with a fading 19.2m 5th to Petes Said So when he led and was given little peace from shortly after the start. Jack Callaghan was again able to dictate the terms with Alta Orlando, but at a slightly more relaxed tempo, when a gritty 1.4m 2nd to Bundoran. The same scenario played out at Menangle last week when Alta Orlando again dictated the terms over the longer trip of2300m, only to be denied the top spot by Pitch Perfect, which secured a last-stride win over the 10yo gelding. Back to the sprint trip and Alta Orlando has drawn the pole, ensuring that he will be prominently placed from the outset. However, this time around a spot behind WHEREYABINBOPPIN (7) is likely to be on offer. And, that will give Alta Orlando the final say. WHEREYABINBOPPIN (7) will be out to make it back-to-back wins, and his trainer-driver James Rattray is confident that the 6yo is capable of doing exactly that. The son of A Rocknroll Dance has won two of his past four, both over this course and distance, when he has dictated the latter two weeks ago when he defeated Petes Said So, which had won previously in fine style, and Crunch Time. On that occasion Whereyabinboppin had his rivals chasing hard, especially when James allowed to him to sizzle home in a 26.5 final quarter. The same game plan is bound to be put into play. BUNDORAN (3) broke through for his first win a couple of weeks ago when he proved too good for Alta Orlando and Malcolms Rhythm. The Lincoln Royal 5yo was never a factor last time out when, from a rearward role, he was unable to work his way into contention, which resulted in a closing 9m 5th to the ‘flying’ Whereyabinboppin nicely drawn in three and with the prospect of a suitable ‘stalking’ role, Bundoran is capable of showing the form which gained him a spot in this year’s Miracle Mile back in March. Classy 7yo THE BLACK PRINCE (11) will be stepping out for his first challenge since an 11m 9th to Mach Da Vinci over 2300m back on March 19. Without a win since taking out the G1 Len Smith Golden Mile last October, the Roy Roots Jnr-trained son of Bettors Delight posted some sound efforts in a number of feature faces between then and now, and although confronted by the outside gate, his trial 2nd behind Cash N Flow was a pleasing display so don’t ignore him. When it comes to the exotics, MALCOLMS RHYTHM (6), which is racing better than the numbers next to his name would suggest, must be included, along with PETES SAID SO (8).
ALTA ORLANDO 1, Whereyabinboppin 2, Bundoran 3, The Black Prince 4.
RACE SEVEN:
Outstanding prospect TAY TAY (110 will make her eagerly awaited return to the track, and although first-up since the end of 2021, the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven is poised to greet the judge. Spelled after her success in the Vicbred 3YO Fillies Silver Final at Bendigo, the Alex Ashwood-trained 4yo trialled strongly at Menangle a couple of weeks ago when Ashwood and Tayla French were campaigning a few horses. The Victorian duo elected to leave Tay Tay in the hands on Jason Grimson, which means Cam Hart will take the reins behind the mare. A wide gate will await Tay Tay, but that won’t be enough to prevent her from making it 10 wins from 24 starts. MASONS DELIGHT(6) opened his career under the care of Jack Trainor with an emphatic win, then came from well-back in recording a 5.2m 3rd to The Fortunate Son at Menangle on Aug 23. With one reserve already withdrawn, the 6yo son of American Ideal is likely to leave the machine from four, which is a plus. BREVITY (9)led in scoring at Penrith, then was always in a rearward role when a 23m 4th behind The Fortunate Son. The consistent 6yo should assist when it comes multiple investments. SMOOTH OVERARM (12) has the outside gate as his starting point and while that is a concern, the 7yo son of Changeover is always thereabouts and a suitable type for exotic players. TAMANISHA TERROR (7), EVERYBODYLOVEDRAY (8) and AALESUND (10) appear to be the value runners.
TAY TAY 1, Masons Delight 2, Brevity 3, Smooth Overarm 4.
RACE EIGHT:
With the bulk of the field consisting of the usual ‘trotting suspects’, the Jarrod Alchin stable will provide the ‘x-factor’ in former Kiwi REGAL ATTIRE (10), which arrives with solid form, courtesy of seven wins and nine placings from just 25 starts. The 4yo son of Muscle Hill hasn’t raced since late April, and also draws wide, but comfortably won a trial at Menangle recently, indicating that he was ready to tackle his first assignment with a degree of confidence. At this stage, Regal Attire is definitely worth the gamble. RAVE ON HALL (9) is due for a change of luck after being placed in his past six, the opening five as runner-up. The trend was broken a couple of weeks ago when the James Rattray trained and driven 6yo led in recording a 3.4m 3rd to Sunny Gee when he went around to the start as the popular pick with punters. The son of Andover Hall has drawn wide but he should be prominently placed. James in an interview for National Trotguide on Tuesday, was keen on the prospects of Rave On hall posting a deserving win. PRINCESS FAITH (5) is coming off a solid win over Andoverlov and Gunner in what was an easier contested, compared to this challenge. However, the mare is racing in fine style, apart from one run, so expect another strong showing, especially from the handy draw. ANDOVERLOV (1) was having his first run since a useful 3rd behind the talented Doff Your Cap back in early April when he started favourite for a 1609m challenge here on Aug 23. Beaten for speed from the pole, the 5yo settled four pegs before hitting the line strongly in posting a pleasing 2.9m 2nd to Princess Faith. With the benefit of that outing, and gate one once again, Andoverlov should loom as a threat. Veteran GUS AN MAORI (11) broke nearing the home turn and lost all chance when a well-beaten 9th to Parisian Artiste last week. The Sofia Arvidsson trained and driven son of Angus Hall had been racing well prior to that display, so don’t ignore him as a threat. A fitter BACARDI BARMAID (3) should be included in exotic investments, along with ALDEBARAN URSULA (7), ROYAL GLENFERRIE (6) and ONE MAJIC KENNY (8), which is capable of improving on his past two disappointing displays.
REGAL ATTIRE 1, Rave On Hall 2, Princess Faith 3, Andoverlov 4.
– MIKE KOCASS