Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - May 17

16 May 2025

 

Victorian filly Gatesys Gem will be looking to add the NSW Trotters Derby to last week’s Oaks win when she steps out again at Menangle on Saturday night but faces some stiff opposition from the males.

Big prizemoney is also up for grabs in the night's other feature, the TAB Regional Final – Metropolitan.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 17
Race 1: SOCIETY 389 PACE
CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (9) has been tackling free for all company in his last few outings but scored back-to-back wins at Melton prior. First visit to this circuit but he is good enough to win this with even luck from the wide draw. STORMTIDE (1) drew deep and broke gear last start so forget that result. Recorded back-to-back placings here prior, one of them when starting from this draw. Big chance. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (7) is building in fitness and could be ready to deliver after an improved for showing for second here last start. DOM TORETTO (10) draws out but deserves respect off a placing behind a smart one last week.
Race 2: ALLIANCE CONTRACTING PACE
DONEGAL LUTHER (3) made a strong return here a fortnight ago when he came from a much wider barrier and was beaten only 1.8m into second. Has won second-up before so expect he will have come on from that and he enjoys a more favourable draw. SWEETHEART BART (8) led as favourite but faded to third here last week. Draws wider but if he performs up to his previous efforts through the Riverina Championships series he'll be hard to stop. FRANCO TYSON (4) has won three of his last four starts, each of them when coming from this barrier or lower. Must rate highly. JALANEEL (7) draws wider but is racing well enough to be competitive.
Race 3: ABLE DOORS PACE
CURLY JAMES (9) has been building towards a win with some decent efforts at Melton of late, last time chasing along the sprint lane for third. Draws out but usually performs well at this distance so has winning claims. Highly-accomplished pacer DISTRICT ATTORNEY (8) draws wider than when he faded out in last week's resuming effort but he strikes at 50 per cent when second-up so is a likely improver. PETES SAID SO (10) draws wider than when down the track last time but recorded a string of seconds prior, a couple of them from wide barriers. Deserves another chance. KANENA PROVLIMA (7) was a beaten favourite here on Tuesday but came from wider to win two back so is capable of more.
Race 4: TAB REGIONAL CONSOLATION - METROPOLITAN
ALTA SIERRA (4) missed a place as a hot favourite last week but he drew on the back row and was forced to work so that result can be forgiven. He was flying prior with three wins and a second from the previous four outings and a better draw can see him return to winning form. TOORAM MAGIC (6) is another that didn't have much go his way when finishing fifth in the heats. Put together a hat trick of wins here earlier in the year so can measure right up with his best. BALTUSROL (8) had a tough barrier and raced three wide without cover when midfield last time. Draws out but the prior form reads well for this. THE METAL FLYER (3) draws much better than last time and has claims off placings in the prior two outings here.
Race 5: DRH LANDSCAPING BILL GREEN FFA
MAX DELIGHT (1) called on all of his customary toughness in winning at this circuit and distance last time, racing three wide from the outside barrier before working to the front and scoring by 8m. The ace draw should see him hard to stop. IM THE FALCON (4) was first up for four weeks when he led from this barrier and scored a 1.3m here last week. Up in distance but has won over the trip before. Danger. KINGMAKER (10) made an encouraging return when runner-up to Im The Falcon last week. Draws out but is open to improvement. JAY OK (9) must be respected off a placing from a similar barrier last week while the best version of NYACK (8) can measure up.
Race 6: TAB REGIONAL FINAL - METROPOLITAN (LISTED CLASSIC)
VITE MONET (9) is a progressive gelding who came from this row for a resuming win by 3.2m in his heat. He may be relying on luck to get away from the pegs but that fresh victory took his record at this circuit and distance to three from three and he goes very well second up with three wins and a placing from four attempts. HORN PLAYER (6) was solid when midfield in the Riverina Championships final two back before impressively winning last week's heat, leading from this barrier and scoring by more than 10m. Should push forward again and could prove tough to catch. MISTER BLUECHIP (11) did a good job to make a winning return after more than nine months on the sidelines, leading to win by almost 3m here last week. Draws on the back row this time but is open to improvement. TOMAHAWK BART (8) added to a string of top-two finishes when runner-up from a similar barrier to Vite Monet last week. Respect along with MAURLEN BOY (4) who raced wide in the fresh placing and should strip fitter.
Race 7: SUCCESS STUD NSW TROTTERS DERBY (GROUP 1)
ENCHAUFFOUR (10) draws wide but has been good from the back row in his two Victorian outings since a spell, last time beaten 2.7m into second at Geelong. Won his lone third-up attempt so should be peaking now and showed his ability in winning last season's Breeders Crown final. GATESYS GEM (9) aims to complete the NSW Oaks-Derby double after proving too strong for the fillies last week, leading and hanging on to get home by a metre at this circuit and distance. Tackles the boys and draws much wider but should be at her peak third-up and is a big talent. Last season's Vicbred Super Series winner COMMODUS (8) showed improvement when runner-up at Ballarat last week and won his lone third-up attempt so is another that should be hitting peak fitness. LOTUS LOUISE (3) is racing well at this venue with placings in both starts since a fresh win, all from wider barriers. Draws to play a role. SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN (7) deserves respect after winning three of four starts at this venue this time in.
Race 8: AUSTIN LANDSCAPING BULLI TROTTERS CUP
LONDON TO A BRICK (14) has come from wide barriers to win his last two outings at this circuit, last time racing wide before toughing it out over this distance. If he gets the standing start right he is a big chance to land the hat trick. CONSTANTINOPLE (15) pushed London To A Brick last time, finishing just a head behind him. Has won seven of 10 attempts at the circuit and distance. Player. HOT TO TROT (2) steps up in grade but looks a big chance off the front mark having come from a 40m handicap to win here last week. HANOVER DA MOON (12) is a reliable trotter who has won four of six tries at the venue and distance. Can feature again. VALTINO (7) makes his first appearance since winning the Breeders Crown 3CG Final in November. Readied with three trials and hasn't missed a place when fresh so keep safe.
Race 9: MY PROPERTY CONSULTANTS LADYSHIP PACE
BOULEVARDOFDREAMS (6) has performed well in both starts at this circuit since a fresh win at Bathurst, last time chasing well for second to race rival Bella Danza. Draws inside that rival tonight so could turn the tables. EVER ART (4) drew wider and raced up to three wide last week so was far from disgraced in fourth. Draws a couple of spots closer to the pegs and that gives her winning claims. BELLA DANZA (7) draws wider than when beating the top two selections last week but that win took her strike rate here to 50 per cent so she must rate highly. MY CRACKLING ROSIE (1) is a consistent mare who can be competitive again from the ace draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 4 #4 Alta Sierra – No luck last start. Draws to return to winning form.
Race 6 #9 Vite Monet – Looks decent value, banking on some luck from the draw.