Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday March 16

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS PACE (HEAT 1)

GOLDEN BAY (7) is yet to miss a place in three starts at this circuit since joining the Jason Grimson yard. Dominant winner first up for that stable and followed that up with a third to the smart Better Be The Best. Beaten favourite behind race rival Argent Peak last time but was only 1.8m away. Can atone. ARGENT PEAK (9) broke when tackling stronger company last week but was three from three for the Grima yard before that. Came from this same draw when beating Golden Bay two back so is a big chance to do it again. NICHOLAS CAGE (3) did a terrific job in winning here last start, drawing wide and covering ground but proving too good by 8m. Must rate highly from a lower draw. ROLL WITH SLOY (1) ended her last campaign by taking out the Breeders Challenge Eastern Region 3F Final here, giving her three wins and a close second from her last four starts. Has trialled so respect from the ace draw.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE (HEAT 2)

DOUGS PLATTER (6) kicked off his campaign with a couple of solid midfield efforts from tough draws against the better four-year-olds then relished a class drop when scoring by 5m in this grade last time. Gets a similar draw and is race fit so can go on with it. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (3) is close to a win after placing in his last three outings at this circuit, last time chasing Dougs Platter home for second. Draws inside that rival this time so is a chance to turn the tables. PROMISELAND (1) had kicked off her campaign with back-to-back placings before finishing midfield against a handy line-up of mares last week. Race fit and aided by the ace draw. BULLY BOURNE (2) draws well and must be respected after scoring last start by 3 metres at this venue.

Race 3: TAB WE'RE ON PACE (HEAT 3)

ALIBERTO (2) is a progressive gelding who has been kept fresh since recording back-to-back wins at this circuit, last time leading from wider when scoring by 5m. This is a step up in grade but he has the speed to take advantage of the low draw and has won three of four attempts at this circuit and distance. I BREAK THE LINE (3) returns to the city in winning form, landing a hat trick when scoring by 7.5m last time out at Newcastle. That followed his victory in the rich Golden Guitar Final at Tamworth when he led from a wider barrier. Has won here before and is a big chance from a favourable draw. Former Kiwi DONEGAL LUTHER (6) kicked off in Australia with a win, leading to score by 2.6m at Bathurst. This is a step up but he has upside. LOCHIEL (8) returns after four-and-a-half months. Races well fresh with two wins and two placings from five attempts and has trialled so can open this campaign with a positive effort.

Race 4: DM PLUMBING PACE

WAVETHEBILL (3) will find this much easier than his last attempt when tackling strong opposition so forget that and assess his chances off his win two back when he came from a wider barrier in this grade. He can bounce aided by the low draw. FREDDY SINGH (4) returned to town off a Newcastle win and did a great job at big odds last week, coming from this same draw and chasing a handy one for second. A similar performance would stack up well. IM IN TROUBLE (7) draws wider tonight but is going well with back-to-back wins, one of them here. Must respect. IDEAL IN DREAMS (1) came from much wider when beaten 2m here last time. Tackles the boys but is drawn to enjoy the favours. Tough barrier for ITS EBONYNIVORY (8) but she is a handy mare racing well.

Race 5: HARNESS BREEDERS NSW GO GIRLFRIEND FINAL

DIEING ART (5) faces a tougher challenge tonight but she is a lightly-raced mare on the up. She was brave when completing a winning hat trick last time out, racing three wide without cover before scoring by 2.5m at Wagga. Draws closer to the pegs and can take the next step. YOUTAKEMYBREATHAWAY (1) delivered in style last time, leading from a couple of spots wider when scoring by 3.3m at Penrith. She has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw so could go on with it now. MORE GOODA (4) continued her consistent form from NZ when she kicked off for the Painting yard with a second at Bathurst. Gets the same draw and will strip fitter so can progress. MARIA ALLEGONDA (6) kicked off in Australia with a win at this circuit and distance then came from the back line when runner up at Penrith. Building in fitness so can challenge.

Race 6: WOODLANDS STUD PACE (HEAT 4)

Looks a suitable race for LOUS DREAM (4). He has been coming from wider barriers, finishing second two back before working in the death seat last time. This suits better and had kicked off this campaign with a win at this circuit and distance. Can show that sort of form again from a lower draw. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (5) took on stronger company last week and wasn't disgraced when finishing midfield after copping a check. Had sound form before that, missing by a nose two back at Bathurst and winning at Melton last month. This looks a suitable assignment. MAJIC MOMENT (1) brings some good form to the table, winning here three back and finishing fourth from a wide barrier last time. She should enjoy a soft run from the ace draw. ROCKOKOKO (8) had little luck when forced to race wide last start. The previous two efforts here were sound so can bounce back despite a wide barrier.

Race 7: IRT YOUR HORSE OUR PASSION PACE (HEAT 5)

MISTER ROBIN HOOD (3) enjoys a class drop after tackling the Paleface Adios Stakes last start and was racing very well before that with back-to-back wins at this circuit. He is nicely placed in this company and should get every chance from a favourable draw. SIR RICHARD LEE (2) is going better than his form may suggest as he has been tackling higher-graded races and drew wide last week. Won from a similar barrier here last month and can show that sort of form in this company. PAS DE CHEVAL (1) came from a wider barrier when scoring in good style at this circuit and distance last week. She is in contention from the ace draw. RICKOSHAY (5) wasn't far from the placings in a higher-graded race at Bathurst last time out. Respect.

Race 8: PRYDE'S STAMINA PACE

MAJOR PERRY (6) was a beaten favourite when resuming two back but produced a better effort at his latest appearance, finishing fourth from this same draw. He is a two-time third-up winner so should be close to peaking. Leading hope. Prepared to forgive the latest result of DANGERZONE (3) when he came from a wider barrier and raced up to four deep. Placed from this same barrier here two back. Contender. CHEVRON ART (5) is building in fitness and has been producing some decent efforts so is on the radar. TUPPENCE (1) steps up in grade off a win here on Tuesday but does get the aid of the ace draw. SAHARA SIROCCO (7) didn't have the best of luck when midfield last start. Could measure up with better fortune.

BEST BETS:

Race 2 #6 Dougs Platter – sticking with him after he relished the drop to this grade last start.

Race 7 #3 Mister Robin Hood – well placed coming back in class and aided by a good draw.