Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - July 26

25 July 2025

The inside draw should see last-start winner Fashion Icon hard to catch in the Listed Winter Gift Final at Menangle on Saturday night.

The meeting also sees Luke McCarthy unveil a couple of newcomers to his stable in Group 1 placegetter Kingman and progressive mare Rakero Ice.
Race 1: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY PACE
KINGMAKER (10) has had four weeks off since disappointing last time but was racing very well prior including back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance, one at Listed level. Has been behind race rival Ubetcha Tigerpie at his last coupe but draws inside that rival and goes well when fresh. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (11) is hard to knock having won four of his last five starts at this venue. Most of those were over further but he did score at the mile last month. Starts from the outside but is going well enough to overcome that. ROCK N ROLL DOO (9) disappointed last time but there was merit in his other two starts this time in and he is capable of much better. HY POACTIVE (2) added to a string of top-two finishes when winning from a wide barrier at this circuit and distance last time. This is stronger but the class rise is offset by the good draw. NO HEART THROB (3) was solid from a wide draw last time and missed narrowly from this barrier prior. Go well.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
DANGEROUS THREATS (3) made it back-to-back wins with a dominant performance at this circuit and distance two back before another good showing to place over further last week. Draws well again and looks suited back to the mile. MIRACULOUS (8) has been good in recording two wins and a second in his three starts here since switching from New Zealand. Dug deep last time and while he draws wider his form is hard to knock. FIRE FOX (10) starts from widest but he had enough speed to lead from a deep draw last time before boxing on to place. JORDY (1) continued his good form when came from this barrier to find winning form in Brisbane last week while DOUBLE ACT (5) drops in grade from Listed level and was racing consistently prior.
Race 3: TNS GROUND WORKS PACE
KINGMAN (6) is a newcomer to the Luke McCarthy yard from Victoria and is well performed having placed at Group 1 level. Was checked and broke last start at Melton but has won here before and looks nicely placed. VITE MONET (7) was well fancied last week but broke and finished midfield. Wasn't a bad effort under the circumstances and while he draws wider he looks suited up to a distance where he has won four of seven attempts. LOCHINVAR JAG (2) came from a few spots wider when runner-up here last time. Hasn't missed a place at this longer distance and is aided by the draw. MAURLEN BOY (8) overcame a second row to win at Penrith two back and while he draws deep he was solid in finishing fourth here last week. ALTA MAGACIAN (5) was held up last week but draws better and was racing well prior.
Race 4: SBP CONCRETING LADYSHIP PACE
THE ANSWER (6) will find this easier than her last attempt at Listed level. Had come from wider than this to kick off for the Michael Stanley yard with a win at this circuit and distance two back and has some upside. RAKERO ICE (9) hasn't raced since December but has won four of six starts since switching from New Zealand, two of them at this circuit and distance. Has joined Luke McCarthy since she last raced and while drawn wide she has been readied with a trial. ZENXENA (10) cops a wider draw tonight but is racing well and looks close to a win after placing in her last three outings at the Menangle mile. SCARLETT MAY (7) may enjoy the switch to mares' company and she overcame a second row barrier when scoring two back at Penrith. SWEET HAYLEY JANE (11) deserves respect having placed from this barrier last week.
Race 5: ADCO TRAILERS PACE
ROLL UP (10) continues a run of wide draws but has produced some good efforts from out there including a win at this circuit and distance when fresh last month. Should find this easier than recent attempts and looks good enough to beat these with even luck. VINKE B (1) is another that has been coming from wide barriers and while unplaced at the last couple he did well to finish runner-up in his previous two outing at this venue and distance. The ace draw gives him every chance to produce his best. SAHARA SIROCCO (3) did a good job to come from a wider barrier for fourth last week and is a player having placed from this draw three back. DANCE AND DELIVER (9) and SHEFFIELD SPARKY (8) both cop wide barriers but neither has been far away in recent outings.
Race 6: CHARGE AUTO GROUP WINTER GIFT FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC)
The inside draw should give FASHION ICON (1) every chance. He scored for the second time in his last three attempts at the Menangle mile when he crossed to the front from a wider barrier and cruised home by more than 9m in last week's heat. Has the gate speed to take advantage of the barrier so could prove hard to catch again. STILL ROLLIN (11) draws wide but is racing well, winning here two back before placing last week. Has built a good record at the distance and has the pace to push forward from the barrier. ALTA WILLIAM (4) overcame the widest barrier when winning last week so the draw closer to the pegs can see him competitive again. JILLIBY FABIO (7) and RAGING SEA (8) both come from similar barriers to what they had when winning last week. They are deserving of respect.
Race 7: MANE STUDIO 3YO FILLIES STAKES
PEACE OUT (5) took on the good fillies last time in and produced some strong results including a win at this circuit and distance and a G2 placing in the Gold Bracelet. Strikes at 50 per cent here and will be ready to go off a trial win. She looks well placed. SHES A WARRAWEE (8) scored at this circuit for the first time when she led and kept going to get home as a hot favourite over this distance last start. Draws deeper but has upside. MILLI ME (6) has trialled nicely twice since pulling up with atrial fibrillation last time. Kicked off for the Morris yard with a win over this distance two back and had shown promise in Victoria previously so could be worth another chance along with GUARANTEED END (3) who led and faded when well fancied last time but draws well and is capable of better. FARFALLA STRIDE (7) returns to the city off a Penrith win and scored the only time she raced here.
Race 8: ULTRA AIR PACE
DONEGAL LUTHER (4) blew his chances with an early break as favourite last week but had looked close to a win when placed in his previous two, beaten only 1.7m over this distance here two back. This is winnable with manners. LUVARESCHS (1) has been close to the placegetters in both starts since returning from Brisbane, last week clocking in fourth at this venue and distance. The ace draw should see her competitive again. PROMISING (3) will enjoy the lower draw after he was beaten only 3.3m from the outside barrier last week. HAS THE COURAGE (9) cops a wider draw tonight but hasn't been far away of late. INVITATION ONLY (5) disappointed last week but placed here prior so can do better.
BEST BETS:
Race 3 #6 Kingman – Talented pacer who looks very well placed in his first start for McCarthy.
Race 7 #5 Peace Out – Has the class edge on these fillies and should be ready off a trial win.