Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - May 2

1 May 2026

 

An ideal draw can see star mare Captains Mistress add to her terrific Menangle record in the Queen Elizabeth II Mile, one of four Group 1 races for the fillies and mares on Saturday night.

Jilliby Ballerini (pictured) will be a hot favourite to land her second G1 in eight days in the Macarthur Mile while a strong contingent of Victorian fillies will pose a big threat to the locals in both the pacing and trotting Oaks.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 2
Race 1: COUTTS LAWYERS & CONVEYANCERS PACE
Victorian mare ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (6) has been far from disgraced when tackling good opposition from tough draws of late. She is a two time winner at the mile and is nicely placed in this line up. SOHO GUNSLINGER (3) has been good from wider draws of late, racing parked but proving too good here two back before a solid second last time. His record at this circuit and distance stands at four from nine and he draws well. DANCE WITH CARMER (7) came from a similar barrier to this when winning here last week. Back in trip but came from wider to win over this distance earlier in the campaign. Must respect. The ace draw should serve FRANCO NOVELIST (1) well. He is building in fitness and could be ready to win after a second at this circuit and distance last week.
Race 2: TAB TANYIA HARRIS OAM LADY DRIVERS INVITATIONAL
OAKIE SMOKESHOW (1) worked when tackling a higher-graded race last start so prepared to overlook that result. Had been ultra consistent with a string of top-two finishes prior including a win here two back. Owns impressive strike rates at both the venue and the distance. The ace draw can see him bounce back. LAYDEN (2) took advantage of this draw to score last week, his second success from his last three outings here. Can make an impact again. COLOSSAL HOPE (5) showed some improvement when fourth last week and draws lower. He'll enjoy dropping back to a distance where he has won three of four attempts. MAJOR ART (11) and DEMON BLUE (10) cop wide draws but both are going well enough to be competitive with even luck.
Race 3: CARLTON DRY PACE
HI MANAMEISJEFF (10) took his record at the Menangle mile to 12 from 16 when he led to beat a good mare last time out. Draws wider but has proven multiple times that he can win from wide barriers. Distance specialist who can strike again. CHASE A DREAM (11) was a beaten favourite when runner-up from a similar draw last start but did have to race three wide without cover and only missed narrowly. With better luck he could atone. PINSEEKER (9) raced three wide from the outside barrier but proved too strong last time, taking his strike rate here to 50 per cent. Must rate highly again. JILLIBY NITRO (7) draws lower than last week when he clocked in third to add to a string of wins and placings. Respect along with RIPP (8) who got back on track with a narrow defeat from a similar draw at this circuit and distance last week.
Race 4: YABBY DAM FARMS NSW TROTTERS OAKS (GROUP 1)
JILLIBY AURA (5) looks to have come back in fine order having raced parked from this barrier in beating the boys for a fresh win at Bendigo. She was one of the better Victorian fillies of last season, winning the Nutrien Classic and placing in both the Vicbred and Breeders Crown finals. Should be improved second-up and draws better than some of her main rivals. ELLE PERFECTO (10) cops another wide draw but has come from similar barriers in winning twice at this circuit already this campaign. She is race fit and capable. GLADIATRIX (11) came from this barrier when runner-up to Elle Perfecto last start and was runner-up against the boys in the Gold Coronet earlier in her campaign. Player with her A-game. ADELAIDE RED (4) was an upset Breeders Crown winner over a few of these rivals at the end of last campaign and a fresh win suggests she is back in good order. She has the speed to be prominent from a low draw. ALDEBARAN ADA (1) gets the inside barrier and can be competitive from there.
Race 5: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - STATE FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC)
SEASIDER (2) has gone from strength to strength since winning the Western final of this series at Bathurst in January, gaining a Chariots of Fire berth by placing in the Hondo Grattan here and beating a good field to win the Riverina Championships last month. Has won five of nine tries at this distance and is well served by the low draw. IMA BOXA (11) led and was run down when midfield start but was flying prior. Draws on the back row but came from there to easily win both a heat and the final of the Metropolitan series prior. He is big on talent and is a huge chance. THALASSOPHOBIA (1) powered back into form by beating beat Ima Boxa for a surprise win here last start. The ace draw sees him in contention again. TUKAHA (5) looks to be in form at the right time having won from this barrier here last start. GROSSO NASO (8) draws wide but is ticking along well. Worth including at odds.
Race 6: JOHN GIBSON MEMORIAL NSW OAKS (GROUP 1)
The outside barrier has presented a challenge to ARK SEA (12) but she came from there to easily win her heat last week. There is obviously more depth in this final but her campaign has been timed to have her peaking tonight and class will carry her a long way. The timing also looks right for ARRHYTHMIA (9). She set the benchmark for juvenile fillies in Victoria last season by winning both the Vicbred and Breeders Crown finals last season and came from wider in winning her heat last week. She has won both previous third-up attempts so will be peaking. Massive danger. SPARKLING SEA (11) got back on track with her Golden Easter Egg win at this circuit and distance last start. Draws much wider but came from this barrier when she won the Raith Memorial here in March. WILLOWS GIRL (5) is impossible to knock having won all four starts this time in, highlighted by her win over several of these rivals in the Gold Bracelet. Must go in along with RIPPLES (10) who draws wide but is honest.
Race 7: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS MACARTHUR MILE (GROUP 1)
JILLIBY BALLERINI (4) relished the absence of Keayang Zahara to land a well-deserved Group 1 win at Melton last week and gets an immediate chance to add another. Has been runner-up to her star stablemate multiple times this campaign including the TAB Trot in NZ, the Great Southern Star and Hammerhead Mile at this circuit and distance. That form stands out in this line-up so she is clearly the one to beat. JILLIBY DREAMLOVER (3) was first up for eight weeks when second to Jilliby Ballerini in the Sumthingaboutmaori last week and also placed behind her in both the Great Southern Star and Kilmore Cup earlier this year. It'll be tough to turn the tables but she may strip fitter and draws well. ROCKINWITHATTITUDE (8) is going well, placing behind top two selections last week and winning two of her previous three outings. Draws wide but has won two of three attempts here. THE PRIESTESS (9) jumps in grade and draws out but landed a hat trick by winning from the outside gate here on Tuesday.
Race 8: PRYDES EASIFEED QUEEN ELIZABETH II MILE (GROUP 1)
Hard to go past star mare CAPTAINS MISTRESS (2) from an ideal draw. She was a horror story when held up in the Miracle Mile when last seen in March and was flying with a string of wins prior including the Chariots of Fire at this circuit and distance. Hasn't raced for seven weeks but was readied with a trial win. Has the speed to take full advantage of this barrier and is beautifully placed against the mares. Last year's winner EYE KEEP SMILING (4) is back in form at the right time, coming from wider to win last week's Robin Dundee. Has been no match for Captains Mistress when they've met this year but she has been a topline mare for a few seasons now and has a great record at the Menangle mile. TOKYO ROSE (10) was just edged out by Eye Keep Smiling last week, her first defeat in five tries at this circuit and distance. Draws wide but can be involved from out there. Last year's luckless runner-up STENO (7) can feature again having come from wider to win the Sibelia here last start.
Race 9: FRAN FITZPATRICK CHERYL MCDOWELL PINK BONNETT (GROUP 3)
SHES A DELANEY (3) has been freshened since she drew poorly and worked in the Gold Tiara final but easily won a heat of that series prior. The only time she raced here she came from a wider barrier for fourth against the boys in the Sapling Stakes. She draws well and looks nicely placed. CANDY GIRL MARLEY (1) is a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere on debut for the strong Luke McCarthy stable. Close up in her latest trial and the inside draw is an aid to a first starter. Blake Fitzpatrick's Downbytheseaside debutant DECOUPAGE (7) draws wide but showed ability in beating Candy Girl Marley to win her latest trial. WALLABY WAY (8) draws wide but did a good job as runner-up from this barrier at Bathurst last start.
Race 10: BLUE ILLUSION PACE
POST PAINTER (4) tackles the boys but was good against a strong field of mares in last week's Robin Dundee, finishing only 4.3m behind Eye Keep Smiling. Had been racing well with a string of wins and placings in Brisbane prior. This looks winnable. CLASSIC MISSION (7) draws wider but has been racing well, getting close to the placegetters in handy line-ups in both outings since posting a win at this circuit and distance. Major player. BETTERTHANCASH (1) was a bit disappointing when fading out last week but he is much better than that. Well served by the ace draw so could bounce back. GLITTER AINT GOLD (9) hasn't missed the top-four this time in, coming from a similar barrier to place here last time. Go well again. ALTA WILLIAM (3) looks close to a win off back-to-back placings here. Should get his chance from a good draw.
Race 11: MCGRATH FOUNDATION TROTTERS MOBILE
CONSTANTINOPLE (7) is back in peak form having put two wins together at this venue, coming from wider barriers each time. Up in distance but his record at the journey is strong. Could land the hat trick. IMPERIAL MONARCH (4) got within a neck of Constantinople when making his first visit to this circuit last start. Draws lower so could go one better. KYVALLEY MAVEN (8) cops a wide draw but looks close to a win having continued his good form with a placing last week. WATTS UP PARTYTIME (6) was up to his old tricks last start but is capable of winning this with his A-game. SPEEDY LOVER (3) has been racing consistently from wider barriers. Each way hope from a good draw.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #1 Oakie Smokeshow – A drop in grade and the inside draw can see him bounce back.
Race 5 #2 Seasider – Form reads strongly and from a good draw offers some value.