Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - September 13

12 September 2025

 

Group 1 performer Hi Manameisjeff (pictured) can add to a terrific strike rate at Menangle when he lines up for the first time in 14 months in Saturday night’s Sutton McMillan Free For All.

The meeting also sees heats of the Carousel where New Zealand Oaks placegetter Classic Elegance steps out for the first time for new trainer Brad Hewitt.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday September 13
Race 1: ULTRA AIR PACE
Hard to knock the form of CLASSIC MISSION (9) who added to a string of top-two finishes when less than 2m behind top mare Eye Keep Smiling, a subsequent Len Smith Mile placegetter. Came from this barrier when he won at this circuit and distance last month. Looks nicely placed. BAINBRIDGE (10) made an encouraging return from this barrier a fortnight ago, beaten 1.7m into second. Strikes at 50 per cent when second-up so improvement is likely. DOUBLE ACT (8) drifted back on the pegs last start so was far from disgraced when beaten less than 4m. Draws wider but had recorded a series of placings here prior. SPIRIT OF ARION (6) raced deeper from a wider draw last time so did well to place. Worth including along with ROYAL DIVISION (1) who is well served by the ace draw.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU CAROUSEL HEAT 1
COASTAL DRIVE (11) is a colt in form, scoring his third win from his last four outings at this circuit when he led and dug deep to get home over this distance last time. Cops a wider draw but has the gate speed to overcome it. Queensland visitor ULTIMATE MIKI (5) stretched his winning streak to five when he raced parked but proved too good at Redcliffe last time. Facing a tougher test here but Luke McCarthy drives and winning form is hard to knock. Former Kiwi MIKI COHEN (1) overcame a wider barrier for a win in his second Australian outing here last time, racing outside the leader but proving too tough. Up in grade but the ace draw gives him every chance to go on with it. SIREN SEA (3) is building a handy record and impressed first up, coming from the back row to win easily at Wagga. Fitter and is aided by a good draw. MONTEFIORE (9) added to his good form when third from this barrier last start. Go well again.
Race 3: CAMDEN TIGERS CAROUSEL HEAT 2
CLASSIC ELEGANCE (7) is a newcomer to the Brad Hewitt yard from New Zealand and brings strong form, ending last campaign with a pair of Group 1 placings in the Nevele Final and the NZ Oaks. Hasn't raced since November but two trial wins will have her ready to go and she looks to have the class edge. Former Queenslander OUR SWEET DELIGHT (8) was brave in winning his first outing for Jason Grimson here last time, coming from a similar barrier and digging deep to score narrowly. Up in distance but could go on with it. KAIRAKI DELIGHT (11) may need some luck from his wide draw but there was plenty to like about the last-start win in a decent line-up at Bathurst. RED SAPPHIRE (10) draws deep but is in form and scored from a similar barrier here two back. PLAY IT COOL (5) steps up in class but he was brave when working but proving too good at Wagga last start.
Race 4: WARDS ACCOUNTING GROUP CAROUSEL HEAT 3
TUAPEKA LOU (7) is in a purple patch of form having led to win his last three outings, the most recent at this circuit and distance. Draws wider but came from deeper still prior so has the pace to get across. Big chance to deliver again. STAGECOACH (6) worked forward from the outside gate to lead here last time and while he couldn't see it out he was far from disgraced. Had won five of his previous six starts, two of them here. Deserves another chance. FOR ALWAYS ARDEN (1) has looked good in winning his two starts since switching from NZ. This is a tougher test but the ace draw gives him every chance to take this step. ALTA MAGACIAN (10) may need some luck from a wide draw but there was plenty of merit in last week's win in a higher-graded race at Newcastle. WAMBOYNEINAMERICA (3) returns to NSW after winning two of his last three starts in Brisbane, the latest when he led from this barrier. Right in the mix.
Race 5: TAB CAROUSEL HEAT 4
GOLLY GEE FELLAS (11) was just behind the placegetters when she resumed from a similar draw to this then was held up when midfield in a good field last week, beaten only 7m in The Stockade. This is easier and she is two from two when third-up so should be ready to produce her best form now. ALTA WILLIAM (8) had enough speed to work forward from a wide draw and lead here last start before digging deep to go under narrowly. Draws a few spots lower and can push forward again from there. Contender. COSMIC FLYER (3) brings some decent form from Brisbane including a win from this barrier last month and a subsequent G2 placing. Could measure up. ITZBUDDHA (10) didn't have a lot go his way last time but was going well prior including a win at this circuit. With some luck from a wide draw he can be in the finish. DANCE WITH CARMER (9) must be respected having recorded two wins and a second from this barrier in his last three outings.
Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL
BOLANALONG (5) has worked his way back into winning form, drawing on the back row but using the sprint lane to score by 4.2m at Wagga last week. Can push forward from a more favourable draw and this looks a winnable assignment. ROSIE ROMANCE (3) is racing consistently with a string of wins and placings to her name, leading at Bathurst last start and sticking on for second. Can be prominent again from the low draw. BRACKEN WARRIOR (2) led and fought on when runner-up to Bolanalong last start. Can give a sight from another good draw. LONGNWINDINGROAD (9) and BURRABADINE BULLET (10) are each in need of some luck from their draws but each comes into this in winning form and should be respected.
Race 7: CLUB MENANGLE SUTTON MCMILLAN FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)
HI MANAMEISJEFF (11) hasn't raced for more than a year but is a quality pacer who placed behind Leap To Fame in the G1 Sunshine Sprint in Queensland two back. Has a phenomenal record here, winning 11 of 12 attempts and he is three from three at this distance. Will have to overcome the widest barrier but he is a multiple fresh winner and will be ready to go off three trials. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (10) performed very well against the big guns in last week's Len Smith Mile, beaten just over a metre into fourth from a similar barrier. Strikes at 50 per cent at this longer distance and with race fitness on his side is a big chance. BETTERTHANCASH (6) led and boxed on when fourth last week and came from a similar draw to this when scoring here prior. DONEGAL LUTHER (4) jumps in grade but is in good form, winning three of his last four outings here. HELLUVA (7) switches from Victoria to the Seaton Grima yard and could measure up.
Race 8: SUCCESS STUD LADYSHIP PACE
THE ANSWER (8) is a progressive mare who came from this barrier when scoring by 6m last time out. That took her record at this circuit and distance to three from five. She looks well placed to deliver again. MANHATTEN CHICK (2) has been freshened since coming from the widest barrier for fourth here last time but has been kept up to the mark with a trial win. She was good over the Brisbane carnival including a Queensland Oaks fourth and is aided by the draw. ZENXENA (11) may need some luck from the wide barrier but won the last time she raced here last month. OUR SAYDIE KAY (5) was runner-up to The Answer the last time she tackled a mares' race and hasn't been far away since. SHEZ THE REASON (10) cops a wide draw but deserves some respect off the last-start win.
Race 9: CORDINA FOOD CO TROTTERS MOBILE
CONSTANTINOPLE (7) hasn't raced since breaking in the Inter Dominion final in July but he did manage to come from a back row draw for fourth in the opening round of heats. Readied with a trial win and owns a good strike rate at this circuit and distance. Looks nicely placed with a big class drop. RAKERO BLAZE (9) kept her manners in check and returned to winning form here last time, pushing forward from the 10m mark to lead before scoring by 6.4m. That was her third success from her last four outings and while she has yet to win at the mile she is going well. SHEETWEB WEAVER (5) disappointed as favourite last start but was forced to race wide. Came from this barrier when winning here prior so can bounce back. TORO STRIDE (6) has had to race wide in the last two outings but was racing well with a string of top-three finishes here prior. MACHO MAN (4) broke last start but the prior effort had merit.
BEST BETS:
Race 3 #7 Classic Elegance – Well-performed Kiwi who will be ready to go off two trial wins.
Race 8 #8 The Answer – Progressive mare who looks well placed to back up the last-start win.