Night one of the Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles on Saturday where the local four-year-olds will look to repel a strong New Zealand contingent in the feature event, the Chariots of Fire.

The program will also determine the line-up for next week's Miracle Mile with qualification on the line in the two features sprints In a massive night of quality racing.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday March 2

Race 1: SCHWEPPES PACE

DOUGS PLATTER (5) has taken on the top four-year-olds in both starts since a spell and has been far from disgraced when midfield both times from wide barriers. He is well placed in this line-up and should be approaching peak fitness. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (7) looks close to another win following back-to-back placings at this circuit, last week leading and sticking on for a 2.2m third. Draws wider but is going well. GLENLEDI ELVIS (6) is flying at present, making it back-to-back wins with his last-start victory in the Albury Cup. Building an impressive strike rate so can measure up in his first attempt in the city. FASHION ICON (1) was a solid fourth after racing parked when resuming and is open to improvement aided by the ace draw.

Race 2: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE

BETTERZIPPIT (5) showed signs that he may be returning to his best when he finished fourth to Fire Fox first up. Proven second-up and strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit so could progress enough to win this. PETES SAID SO (4) draws well and will find this easier than his recent attempts when behind Leap To Fame. He can make an impact in this line-up. BROOKLYN BRIDGE (1) improved off a fresh placing to win well last week. Has won two of three third-up attempts and led in last week's victory so can take advantage of the inside draw. MISSED THE TRUTH (10) draws wide but he is hard to knock off a string of wins and placings. BRAEVIEW KELLY (8) is a smart mare who can progress off the fresh placing.

Race 3: CORDINA FARMS FACTORY OUTLET WARATAH FINAL

BLAZING HOME (9) appreciated a class drop from his fourth in the Albury Cup to score a 1.7m win after racing parked from a back row draw at Wagga last start. At peak fitness and he races very well at this circuit and distance with two wins and placing from three attempts. Big chance. WORKS FOR ME (3) is a progressive mare who won her first four starts in Australia before returning after two months off with a 2.8m third behind Blazing Home. She'll be fitter for that and the low draw gives her the chance to turn the tables. JUNGLE BABY (6) is hard to knock off back-to-back wins at Bathurst. Must rate highly. PAS DE CHEVAL (7) was only 1.2m behind Jungle Baby when runner up last start and draws a couple of spots closer to the pegs.

Race 4: FREEDOM FARMS TOUGH MONARCH TROTTERS FFA

CONSTANTINOPLE (6) took his record at this circuit to seven from eight when coming from a wider barrier and working forward to find the front before going on to score by 4.6m last time. The lone defeat here came when he broke. Should push forward again. In terrific form and goes on top. FUNKY MONKEY (11) has the hoof on the till after finishing runner up in her last three outings here, chasing Constantinople home in her last two. Missed him by just a nose when she came from this barrier two back. Danger. SCRUFFY DOOLAN (2) led from a 10m handicap when runner up here last week. Drawn to play a role again. VAN SANK (8) is better off behind a mobile after coming from a 30m handicap last week and had scored back-to-back wins at Albion Park before venturing south. MAJESTIC TRIO (4) is a handy mare on her day so is worth including.

Race 5: THE CORDINA GROUP SPRINT

LADIES IN RED (3) faces a challenge resuming at this level but she is all class and will be ready to go off a couple of trials. She owns a terrific strike rate and can lob into the right spot from this draw. The stable's decision to kick her off here suggests she is going well. HOT AND TREACHEROUS (7) is a query after he blew his chances with an early break in last week's Newcastle Mile to follow a fresh win at this circuit. He is a real player if he gets it right. Last-start placegetter ROCK N ROLL DOO (2) is building nicely and has yet to miss a place in five third-up attempts, winning three. Won last year's Len Smith Mile and is drawn to advantage. Tough barrier for SPEAK THE TRUTH (12) but he is smart and will be improved by last week's win in Brisbane. FIRE FOX (10) draws wide and steps up but must be respected having won both starts since a spell.

Race 6: ALLIED EXPRESS SPRINT

HI MANAMEISJEFF (10) has become a Menangle specialist having made it eight from eight at this circuit when a narrow winner from a similar barrier last time. He has been freshened since but was kept up to the mark with trial. Draws wide in what is a strong field but he has the pace to get across and he is also unbeaten at this distance. MACH DAN (1) gets his chance from the ace draw. He had enough speed to lead from wider at Geelong last week and held off last year's Miracle Mile winner. In form and owns a good record at this distance so has strong claims. BETTER ECLIPSE (7) has been kept fresh since his Hunter Cup fourth and is a past Chariots of Fire winner at this circuit and distance. Classy and up to this. MACH DA VINCI (9) was a brave second to Leap To Fame in last week's Newcastle Mile and won from a similar draw here two back. Respect along with LOYALIST (8) who performed well from a tough draw in the Newcastle Mile after kicking off the campaign with back-to-back wins.

Race 7: CORDINA CHICKEN FARMS CHARIOTS OF FIRE

DONT STOP DREAMING (2) has been terrific in Australia so far, winning his past two here after chasing Leap To Fame when second in the Hunter Cup. Very impressive in a fast-finishing Hondo Grattan win over this distance two back and was in cruise control last week. Big on class and aided by a good draw so everything looks to have fallen into place for him. FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (4) has impressed in two starts for the Jason Grimson yard, steaming home to win the 4YO Bonanza when fresh at Melton before showing plenty of speed from one spot wider than this to lead and win here last time. He should be peaking third up. Danger. ITS MERLIN (7) was beaten into second at his Australian debut but he did some work and should be better for it. Highly accomplished and worth another chance. There has been merit in the Sydney efforts of SOONER THE BETTOR (1) and the ace draw can see him competitive. BETTER BE THE BEST (3) is back in winning form and beat several of these last week so must be respected.

Race 8: NSW DERBY HEAT 1 - ST JOHNS PARK BOWLING CLUB

NATHAN STREET (1) drew much wider in his resuming fourth last time and will be fitter for it. Had won three of his previous four visits to this circuit including last year's G1 Breeders Challenge Final. The ace draw brings him right into contention. BAY OF BISCAY (4) was beaten into second when resuming as a hot favourite at Melton but he did some work from a back row draw there and will be better for it. Owns a 50 per cent strike rate and is on the up. Big chance. ROYAL CRUISER (7) finished last campaign with a hat trick of wins including the Tatlow at this circuit and the NSWBC Western Region Final at Bathurst when last seen in December. Unbeaten fresh and will be ready to go off two trials, winning the latest. DEE ROE (5) has been racing consistently including a second in the Simpson Memorial here last start. Draws wider but is an each way hope.

Race 9: NSW DERBY HEAT 2 - TUNCURRY BEACH BOWLING CLUB

Classy Kiwi WE WALK BY FAITH (8) makes his Australian debut having tuned up for his trip across the Tasman with a 3m win at Alexandra Park. That was his first appearance since landing the G1 Ace Of Spades at Addington in December. Draws widest but is good enough to overcome that and kick off with a local win. HES FROM HEAVEN (4) brings decent form from Victoria having won twice in a row before sitting parked when runner up at Melton last start. Progressive gelding who can be in the finish. Former Kiwi IN EXCESS (3) did a good job to place in the Simpson Memorial from a wide barrier in his local debut. Draws better so can be competitive again. CHICAGO BART (5) suffered his first defeat when runner up at Newcastle last time but has some upside.

Race 10: NSW DERBY HEAT 3 - BALMAIN BOWLING CLUB

RAVISHING SLOY (3) didn't feature fresh but he drew wide and had to work so that can be forgiven. Had finished off last campaign with two strong wins at this circuit. Races well second up so looks a big improver aided by a better draw. SOHO SPECTRE (7) is a talented colt with a good strike rate and went to the paddock off a win in a Vicbred Super Series consolation at Bendigo in September. He races well fresh and should be ready to go off a trial. FIGHTER COMMAND (9) suffered a surprise defeat when placed at Melton as a hot favourite last time but had looked good in winning his first two starts after a spell. He draws wide but is progressive. KOMODO (5) looks the next in line.

BEST BETS:

Race 1 #5 Dougs Platter – will relish the class drop and will be nearing peak fitness.

Race 6 #1 Mach Dan (each way) – in winning form and drawn to enjoy the favours.