Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - June 14

13 June 2025

 

Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo (pictured) will ramp up for his defence of his Inter Dominion crown when he tackles a strong field in the Golden Mile at Menangle on Saturday night.

The program also sees the juveniles race for big money in the APG Sydney Sales Graduate Series Finals.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday June 14
Race 1: TAB WE'RE ON PACE
OUR LUCIANO (4) was highly competitive during the Miracle Mile carnival last campaign, highlighted a G3 win in the Paleface Adios and a luckless fourth from the outside barrier in the Chariots of Fire. He flies fresh with two wins and a placing from three attempts and will be ready to go off a solid trial. HORN PLAYER (7) continued his strong form from the Regional Championships series when runner-up in this class last week. Draws wider but is building a good record here. FRANCO TYSON (3) was out of the money last start but had strong form prior including back-to-back wins at this venue along with a couple of placings in this grade. Draws well so worth another chance. JAY OK (2) will find this easier than recent attempts and can take advantage of a low draw.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
HESITATE (10) is a progressive three-year-old resuming off a second in the G2 Gold Chalice at Bathurst in March. He has to overcome a wide draw but he is a talent and will be ready to go off a trial win. VITE MONET (3) faded out in stronger company last week but he'll enjoy the class drop and was going well prior, winning two of his other three starts this time. Owns a strong record at the circuit and distance and draws well so prepared to give him another chance. TOMAHAWK BART (1) has good form including a tough win here two back and should get his chance from the ace draw. BOULEVARDOFDREAMS (8) takes on the boys this time but must be respected after a win from a similar barrier here last start. GUILTY PARTY (6) goes well at this distance and is a player after placing from a wider draw last time.
Race 3: ULTRA AIR PACE
PLAY IT COOL (5) is a progressive gelding who is now with the Jason Grimson yard and brings strong form with him, leading from this barrier for a dominant win in a Waratah Final at this circuit and distance last week. He looks capable of going through his grades. SWEETHEART BART (10) is racing well without winning, landing a fifth successive placing when beaten 5m last week. Draws deep but it wouldn't surprise to see him break through. MONTEFIORE (7) draws wider than in last week's third but that result continued a string of wins or placings so he must be respected. MIKI BE GOOD (4) found winning form last start at Wagga and Cam Hart sticks with him. Can be in the finish.
Race 4: APG SYDNEY SALES GRADUATE SERIES (2YO COLTS & GELDINGS) FINAL
DYNAMITEDAN (6) was beaten into second when making his debut as a hot favourite in the heats but he only missed narrowly after racing parked. He'll be better for the experience and hails from a leading yard with an outstanding record in juvenile features. He can atone. A BUCK TEN (8) did a good job to get the better of Dynamitedan at this circuit and distance in the heats. That was his first hitout since a fourth in the Bathurst Gold Crown in March so while drawn deeper he should be improved. BELFAST CITY (2) drew wide but worked to the front and boxed on for third to the top two selections first up. The better draw should see him competitive again. BELLAMYS BLAST (1) is aided by the ace draw so is worth including.
Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE GOLDEN MILE (LISTED CLASSIC)
DON HUGO (8) was too classy when resuming here last week, working to the front from the widest barrier before going on to score by 9m. Has yet to miss a place in 10 tries over the shorter distance here, winning six including the Miracle Mile. Should only be improved so will be hard to stop. CAPTAINS KNOCK (5) hasn't raced since the autumn carnival but he has a strong fresh record with four wins and two placings from six attempts. He has been readied with a trial win and is accustomed to wider barriers so will appreciate this draw. CAPTAIN RAVISHING (1) is somewhat of an enigma and disappointed when dropping out last time but if on his game he is a threat from the ace draw. The outside draw won't make the task any easier for NYACK (11) but he is in form. Is well-performed Kiwi Beach Ball is a big watch in his first outing for McCarthy.
Race 6: APG SYDNEY SALES GRADUATE SERIES (2YO FILLIES) FINAL
BETTORS CREATION (5) looks a filly of good promise having kicked off her career with a win by 2.8m in her heat at this circuit and distance. She draws wider this time but should only be better with experience under her belt so can go right on with the job. IMPERMISSIBLE (10) draws out again but was good when runner up to Bettors Creation from a similar draw in the heats. That was her first start off a spell so she should strip fitter and has upside. MYRAS MINT (4) came from wider to lead when resuming and kicked on well to place behind the top two selections. She can give a sight aided by a lower draw. IM NO STRANGER (3) jumps in grade but is showing some ability and draws to be competitive.
Race 7: AMERICAN IDEAL - WE SALUTE YOUR GREAT LEGACY! LADYSHIP PACE
MARIA ALLEGONDA (8) will relish a class drop after tackling stronger company in recent outings and she has produced some good efforts, coming from a similar barrier for a 1.5m second three back. This is winnable with even luck. MISSAUDACIOUS (3) brings good form to the city including a tough win three back at Wagga and a solid second from a wider barrier last start. She can measure up aided by a low draw. MY CRACKLING ROSIE (7) gave a sight last time and there was plenty of merit in her effort for a 1.6m second from a similar draw here prior. NO DRAMAS (6) did a good job to score first up and has won two of three second-up attempts so could go on with it. SAMKERR (1) could be a big improver from the ace draw.
Race 8: HRNSW 3YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
LOTUS LOUISE (9) followed a brave fourth in the NSW Derby with a strong win here last time out, getting home by 4.4m. Draws a little wider but is proven at the longer distance and his consistency is hard to knock. SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN (8) has won a trial since he led and stuck on for second to Lotus Louise last start. Draws inside that rival tonight and beat him in scoring back-to-back wins here earlier in the campaign so could turn the tables. MISS OHANA (7) placed at Melton last start and did a great job for third from this barrier in the NSW Derby here prior. Must rate highly off that performance. EZRA KAI (6) bombed the start in the Derby the last time he raced here but has performed well in two Melton outings since. Chance with manners. ZIPPING VOLSTEAD (4) has had a month off but is consistent. Worth including.
Race 9: PRYDE'S STAMINA TROTTERS MOBILE
LONDON TO A BRICK (5) has won at this circuit the last three times he started behind a mobile, last start overcoming a wider barrier to get home by 7.5m. Building a strong strike rate at this distance and is racing in peak form. Take beating. CONSTANTINOPLE (6) broke when fourth to London To A Brick last start but got within a head of that rival three starts back so can make a race of it with his A-game. TOP OF THE MOMENT (7) was good in his first outing for the Morris yard, coming from a 10m handicap to get within 2.8m of the winner. Had sound Brisbane form prior. Go well. TORO STRIDE (4) looks better suited tonight having finished runner-up to London To A Brick the last time he started behind a mobile. G O A T (1) ended the last campaign with back-to-back wins here. Proven fresh so keep safe from the inside draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #4 Our Luciano – Had strong form last time in and flies when fresh.
Race 2 #10 Hesitate – On the up and will be ready to go off a trial win.