Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - May 24

23 May 2025

 

Horn Player (pictured) will be chasing a clean sweep of the Regional Championships series when he lines up in the State Final at Menangle on Saturday night.

Earlier in the night Kingmaker looks close to a win but will have to overcome Group 1 winners Captain Ravishing and Max Delight if he is to strike third up.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 24
Race 1: ULTRA AIR PACE
DASHING (9) has been freshened since he drew poorly for fifth in the Riverina Championship Final. Drops in class and has recorded a win and two close seconds the last three times he race here. Strong claims. Hard to knock the consistency of NO HEART THROB (7) who came from wider to add to a string of top-two finishes last start. Rarely out of the money at this circuit and distance including a win three back. MY MOONLITE DREAM (8) had a tough draw in the Queen Elizabeth II Mile last start but strikes at 50 per cent when third-up so should be peaking. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (10) draws wide but has scope for further progression after improving to win last start at Melton while OOGA CHAKA (6) deserves respect after winning from this barrier here last week.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY (9) is an accomplished pacer who made some progression for fourth here last week. Draws deeper but races well third-up so should be further improved. Has winning claims in this suitable assignment. RAVISHING SLOY (7) has been tackling stronger company since he came from a couple of spots wider to win here last month. Finds a more suitable assignment so looking for a better result. TERRY (8) is another better placed after racing in tougher races of late and while drawn wide he is a player off his win here last month. MIKI PINS (6) could be close to a another win after placing from similar draws to this in the last two starts while DOUBLE FEAR (2) did a good job for second last week and could be competitive again from this draw.
Race 3: FOR A REASON STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE
SUPA AMERICAN (4) led and was run down as a hot favourite last start at Newcastle but that was his first hitout for a month so he'll be better for it. Gets the same draw so expect him to push forward again and with a good record at this distance he could be harder to catch this time. DONEGAL LUTHER (7) made a strong return when he came from a couple of spots wider and was beaten only 1.8m into second at this circuit. Has won second-up before so expect he will have come on. HAS THE COURAGE (1) did a good job for second last week and draws to play a role again. Tougher barrier for GUILTY PARTY (11) this week but his form reads well so he is worth including.
Race 4: CORDINA CHICKEN FACTORY OUTLET PACE
MAJOR HOT (2) hasn't won since his Queensland Derby victory last winter but he was racing well here at the end of the last campaign, placing in the Chariots of Fire when last seen in March. Has joined Jason Grimson since and was readied with a nice trial. He draws for a winning return. ARNIES ARMY (1) has been good from wider barriers in his two starts here since a stable switch, clocking in second on Tuesday. He draws to play a role again. FASHION ICON (11) draws out but also came from wide when finding winning form in a Regional Championships consolation at Bathurst last start. Two-time third-up winner so can progress further. COLLECT A DIME (3) switches from Queensland to the Peter Rixon yard. Draws well so keep him safe.
Race 5: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - STATE CONSOLATION
Progressive pacer VITE MONET (4) impressed with a fresh win from the back row in the heats of this series then drew there again and was forced to race wide when midfield in last week's Metropolitan Final. That was the first time he has been beaten at this circuit and distance and the better draw can see him bounce back. MISTER BLUECHIP (12) is another that worked from a back row draw last week and he boxed on to finish narrowly in front of Vite Monet. Draws there again but was good in winning here two back when first up off a long spell. BANDIT EYES (8) draws deep but did well for fourth in last week's final after galloping out. A low draw brings SPIRIT KING (2) into calculations.
Race 6: SUCCESS STUD EQUINE BREEDING PACE
KINGMAKER (8) has to tackle a couple of Group 1 winners but a last-start eye-catcher could have him ready to peak. He went back from a wider draw last week but powered to the line when clear for his second runner-up result in as many starts this time in. Two-time third-up winner who is clearly in good shape this campaign. CAPTAIN RAVISHING (10) has been freshened and won a trial since disappointing in the Goulburn Cup last start. Came from this draw when winning over this distance here two back. The best version of him wins this. MAX DELIGHT (11) led and was run down last week but that added to a string of wins and placings and he came from this barrier to score two back. CHEVRON ART (4) draws well enough to continue the consistent form while I BREAK THE LINE (5) steps up in grade but is back in winning form.
Race 7: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - STATE FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC)
Looks a case of deja vu for HORN PLAYER (6) having led from this barrier to win in both rounds of this series so far, getting home by 3.2m in last week's Metropolitan Final. That took his record at the circuit and distance to two from two and no reason to expect different tactics tonight so can land the hat trick. GLITTER AINT GOLD (11) was dominant through the western region series, spanking his rivals by 18m in the final last start. Would've preferred a front row draw but he won easily from the second line in his heat two back and is three from three at this distance range. TOMAHAWK BART (3) is going well having added to a string of top-two finishes when runner-up to Horn Player from a wide barrier last week. Has the early pace to take advantage of the good draw so is a hope to turn the tables. DUGGEE SLOY (5) continued his strong form with his placing from this barrier in the metro final last week. Player. LITTLE DEMON (2) is in form and has pace so could feature from the low draw.
Race 8: HYLAND HARNESS GEAR PACE
MY ULTIMATE FREDDIE (8) is building an impressive strike rate having delivered as a hot favourite in his last two starts at this circuit and distance. Draws deep and faces a tougher assignment but he is a colt on the up. HEZATREACHEROUS (7) returns to the city in strong form, leading to win his last two at Newcastle. Draws wider than last time but he has only once missed a place in eight tries here, winning four of them. COASTAL DRIVE (11) draws deep but his form is good, recording a win and a placing in his last two attempts from second row draws. POPS JOY (4) steps up in grade but he worked in a resuming win, his fourth success on the trot. Owns a strong record at this distance and has upside.
Race 9: APG PACING WITH EXCITEMENT LADYSHIP PACE
BOULEVARDOFDREAMS (7) was a beaten favourite here last week but she did have to work. Nice effort for second from a similar draw two back so prepared to give her another chance. TWILIGHT HEAVEN (9) cops a wide draw but her form is hard to knock with a win and two placings from her past three at this circuit and distance. Only needs even luck to be in the finish again. ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP (10) was well fancied but had to work in the Regional Championships Hunter Final last week. Draws out but the prior form was strong with three wins and a second from the previous four. HARLEEQUIN (1) jumps in grade but could give a sight from the inside draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 4 #2 Major Hot – Draws well and will be ready to fire off a nice trial.
Race 5 #4 Vite Monet – The better draw can see him return to his best.