Stablemates Hot And Treacherous and Nerano are set to do battle in an interesting clash at Menangle on Saturday night.
Some quality fillies and mares will also step out to ramp up their preparations for next month's NSW Oaks and Queen Elizabeth II Mile.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday April 6.
Race 1: SOCIETY 389 CHARITY CLUB PACE
MAJOR MAJOR (6) was a beaten favourite here last time but the effort had merit when third over 1609m, beaten 4.7 metres. He draws a couple of spots closer to the pegs and goes well at this longer distance with a win and two placings from three attempts. Can atone. STRAVINSKY (4) made a winning return off a seven-week let-up when he led from a similar draw to salute by 2.5m at Newcastle last week. Had been racing very well at this circuit before that, placing two back and winning his previous two, one from this same barrier. Contender. IM IN TROUBLE (11) draws wide but has been racing well, producing two solid efforts since recording back-to-back wins. Respect. ARDENS ACE (9) draws deep but enjoys a class drop from the Renshaw Cup and had put together a string of seconds here before that. DANGERZONE (3) is drawn well enough to make an impact with his A-game.
Race 2: MAC & FEES TURF PACE
ZAMBIA (3) has been racing well from second row draws, landing a second-up win in the Canberra Cup before a 4.2m fourth against a handy line-up in the Wagga Cup last start. That is a higher-graded race than this and he should be at peak fitness. Gets every chance from a favourable draw. NICHOLAS CAGE (2) was a little off his game last start but the prior form was strong including a win from a wider barrier here two back. Draws well so has winning claims with his best. ALIBERTO (9) draws wider than in recent outings but is going well with two close-up efforts since back-to-back wins at this circuit. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (8) continues to race well, placing in his four starts since scoring here. Draws wide but must be considered.
Race 3: WARDS ACCOUNTING PACE
Former Kiwi SUPER DUPER DUDE (7) is a newcomer to the Grima yard having left NZ off a win at Cambridge a month ago. He has impressively won two trials at this circuit so looks ready to make an immediate impact. DON LOU (2) put the writing on the wall two back when close up from a wide barrier then delivered here last time, digging deep to score by a nose in this same grade. A draw closer to the pegs gives him every chance to back that up. LOUS DREAM (9) draws deep but hasn't been far away at this circuit of late including a placing in the latest outing. Go well again. JUST ROLLYOUROWN (4) was held up in the Wagga Cup last start and went into that off back-to-back wins so is worth another chance. TITIAN RAIDER (1) came from the widest barrier when returning to winning form last time. This is stronger but he is aided by the ace draw.
Race 4: THIRLMERE WHOLESALE NURSERY PACE
HOT AND TREACHEROUS (8) is racing in peak form having returned to the winners' list here two back before leading from the widest draw in a six-horse field to score by 2m a fortnight ago. Has the gate speed to get across from the wide barrier so can land the hat trick. Stablemate NERANO (7) will be improved by his good third when resuming in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith where he drew the back row and did some work but stuck on. That was his first outing since the Inter Dominion series where he won two heats. Strikes at 50 per cent when second up so can threaten. FIRE FOX (5) came from this same draw when third to Hot And Treacherous last start, beaten less than 3m. Races well at this shorter distance so can make an impact again. ZEUSS BROMAC (9) was solid when midfield in the Renshaw after a second at this venue. He is building in fitness. WHEREYABINBOPPIN (6) has won five of seven fresh attempts so must be kept safe.
Race 5: BELLE LIFESTYLE HOMES LADYSHIP PACE
ILLAVABUBBLES (2) bounced back to winning form when overcoming the extreme outside barrier last start, her sixth success in seven starts at this circuit. The lone defeat was when third behind two of tonight's rivals two starts back but she came from a wide draw on that occasion. This much more favourable barrier gives her the chance to turn the tables. BRAEVIEW KELLY (6) has been racing well with placings in all three starts this time in, the last two from this same barrier. Building in fitness so could be ready to deliver. Kiwi mare MANHATTAN (7) came from this barrier and beat the top two selections when kicking off for the Trainor yard with a win at this circuit and distance. Had strong form in Group races in NZ before that and could strike again. ITS EBONYNIVORY (4) must be respected after coming from a wide barrier in beating the boys to score here last start.
Race 6: WOODLANDS STUD GOLDEN EASTER EGG
MILLWOOD BLISS (4) showed her class when she came from the widest draw for a winning return by almost 3m at her latest appearance in the G3 Raith Memorial at this circuit and distance. That was her first outing since ending the last campaign with a G1 placing in the Breeders Crown Final. She is two from two when second-up so can go on with the job. OUR ULTIMATE EBONY (5) resumes from a spell of six months having won all three starts of last campaign. Lightly-raced with upside and will be ready to go off two trials, winning the latest. SARA TA SLOY (6) was down the track in the Gold Bracelet Final last week but has claims off a second in her heat two back. MAJOR ENVY (1) steps up in grade but draws on the pegs and could progress off a Wagga win at her Australian debut.
Race 7: MY PROPERTY CONSULTANTS 4YO FOUNDATION FINAL
It all went wrong for MY LIGHTNING MCQUEEN (6) last start when she broke and then raced wide so prepared to forget that result. Had kicked off in Australia with back-to-back wins at this circuit so with manners can bounce back to winning form. SALUTE STRIDE (4) kicked off his campaign with back-to-back seconds, one of them behind My Lightning McQueen, before delivering a maiden win by 1.5m here on Tuesday. He is lightly-raced with upside so could be ready to go on with it. ELLOWEN (5) missed the start when midfield here last time but had put together a string of placings before that so can feature. TRIUMPH STRIDE (3) is building in fitness and a good draw could see a better showing.
Race 8: THE CROCKER FALK COUNTRY TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP
HAVE NO FEAR (11) resumes off some strong form, winning three of his last five starts at this circuit. He goes very well fresh winning four of six attempts and will be ready to fire off a narrow second in a recent trial. VICTREE HILL (10) won the last time he attempted this distance three back and has produced two decent efforts since including a G1 placing. He can measure up to these. POWDERKEG (8) resumes having last appeared in the Inter Dominion series in December. He was outclassed at that level but this is much more suitable and he was tuned up with a solid trial. THEBESTBOURBON (4) found her best with an easy win in the Bathurst Trotters Cup last week, coming from a 40m handicap to cruise home. Starts from the front mark so could go on with it.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #3 Zambia – Racing well from tougher barriers so should relish this draw.
Race 6 #4 Millwood Bliss – Quality filly who is well drawn to back up the fresh win.
