Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - June 13

12 June 2026

Multiple Group 1-winning Kiwi Marketplace (pictured) will have to overcome the outside barrier if he is to make a winning Australian debut at Menangle on Saturday night. 

Big money is up for grabs in the APG 2YO Finals where promising youngster Don Hunter looks the one to beat in the colt and geldings division while Peachesncream can back up her debut win in the fillies races.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday June 13
Race 1: WESTS TIGERS EMPOWER PACE
IM THE FALCON (11) returns to Jason Grimson after a stint in Queensland where he was runner-up two back at Albion Park. Owns a strong record at this distance and is talented enough to overcome the wide. Stablemate HUTA (5) is likely improver. He has chased star mare Captains Mistress in his two starts so far this campaign, the latest at Listed level so will enjoy the class drop. He should be nearing peak fitness third-up. SOUTH SEAS ROCK (6) made a good start for Seaton Grima when beaten 4m into third at this venue last week. Draws wider but is proven at this longer distance. MIKE ROSS (1) has been close-up in two starts here since recording back-to-back wins. Owns a good record at this distance and draws to advantage as does HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (3) who has finished runner-up in both starts this time in, missing by a nose last time. Returns to the city but races well third-up so could be peaking.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
Looks an ideal race for SOHO CHARMER (3) to return in. He was last seen in the Gold Chalice series at Bathurst in March where he won a heat before a close fourth in the final. He was only 0.7m behind star colt Hollywood Strip there having earlier finished runner-up to him in the NSW Derby the last time he attempted this circuit and distance. Proven fresh and was readied with a trial win so looks tough to stop from a good draw. ENJABONARLO (9) draws wide but his form reads well, beaten only 3m by a good filly last week and winning two in a row prior, one of them here. ISLA ROCHELLE (8) came from this barrier to salute by 3.2m at this circuit and distance last week. Tackles the boys this time but should go well again now that she is back in winning form. PETES CRUNCH TIME (1) has been coming from wider draws but scored from this barrier here last month so looking for better.
Race 3: WSI AIRPORT TRANSFERS FFA
Star Kiwi MARKETPLACE (11) cops the outside barrier for his Australian debut but he is a multiple Group 1 winner in his homeland and is targeting some big races over the winter. Got a taste of this circuit when he won a trial here last week and has the class to overcome the draw. HI MANAMEISJEFF (10) has been runner-up to star stablemate Captains Mistress in his two runs since a Listed win here, getting within 1.4m of her last week. Better known as a miler but it is important to note he has won all four attempts over this longer distance. DOUBLE LOU (7) has had 10 weeks off since his Riverina Championships placing, ending a campaign that saw him win four races here including the Hondo Grattan. Flies fresh, winning all three attempts and should be ready to go again off two trials. Renshaw Cup winner UBETCHA TIGERPIE (9) returns off a WA raid that saw him finish fourth in both the Nullabor and Fremantle Cup. Draws wide but was runner-up to Marketplace at the trials.
Race 4: TAB PACE
JACKS ULTIMATE FURY (7) comes off a strong showing in a good field at Maryborough last start where he raced parked but stuck on for fourth behind last year's Eureka winner Bay Of Biscay. Draws wider but should be approaching peak fitness and this race suits. SOHO PARK AVENUE (3) has been freshened since the Gold Chalice series where he was runner-up in the heats before drawing poorly in the final. Had wide barriers in the NSW Derby series here prior but performed well, placing in his heat. Aided by this draw and should be ready off a trial. LOUIE LOU I (11) cops the outside barrier but looks close to a win having twice finished second at this circuit and distance before racing parked but sticking on for a 4.4m fourth last week. VINCENZO (10) made an encouraging first appearance for David Thorn when beaten only 2.2m into second from a similar barrier. Should strip fitter. LETS TURN IT ON (2) added to a good fresh record when runner-up last week and draws lower.
Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE CAPTAINS MISTRESS LADYSHIP STAKES (LISTED CLASSIC)
STENO (8) continued her good form when she came from this barrier to place last start. Her previous two attempts at this circuit and distance resulted in a Sibelia Stakes win and a second to Captains Mistress in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile. Reliable and can go close with even luck. LUX AETERNA (1) made a successful hit-and-run visit to Albion Park last start, leading from this barrier and digging deep to get home narrowly. Owns a strong strike rate here so can give a sight. SUGAR PIE HONEY (4) is back in form having come from wider barriers to win her last two outings at this circuit and distance, beating Steno last time. Could strike again. TOKYO ROSE (7) led and faded last start but generally races well over the mile here so is worth another chance. Last-start winner SNAP SHOT (6) jumps in grade but is making progress.
Race 6: ULTRA AIR TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP
Hard to knock I AM HELLBOUND (10) after racing parked but digging deep to record a third straight win at this venue last time out. Hasn't missed a place at this longer distance and while he gives away 20m at the handicap he won the last time he attempted a standing start. PESCO POLLO (7) hasn't raced since March but two trial wins suggest he has come back in good order. Has won fresh before and strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance so looking for a strong return. SPEEDY LOVER (11) gives away 30m at the handicap but must be respected after enjoying the step up to this distance when finding winning form here last week. YOUR MAJESTY (8) has come from wide barriers for three wins and a placing behind I Am Hellbound in four starts this time in. Has won four of five tries at this distance so must be respected.
Race 7: APG 2YO FILLIES FINAL
PEACHESNCREAM (8) had been showing ability the trials then brought that to the races when she kicked off her career by beating all of these rivals for a win by close to 6m at this circuit and distance. A wider draw poses more of a challenge but she looks talented and has upside. MAC TILLY (4) drew the outside barrier when resuming but was able to work to the front before boxing on for fourth behind Peachesncream. She'll be fitter for that and will enjoy a much better draw. SOPHIES WISH (10) did a good job to win at start number two at Bathurst two back before racing parked when third last start. Cops the outside barrier but can be competitive with even luck as can SWINGING QUEEN (7) who draws wider than when runner-up to Peachesncream last start but has yet to miss the top-four this time in. COCTEAU DIAMOND (1) is better served by the ace draw for her second start so has first four claims.
Race 8: HRNSW 3YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
SUPERIOR STRIDE (5) is progressing strongly having recorded two big wins along with a fifth in the NSW Derby from his last three starts here. Led from this barrier and cruised home by 19m over this distance last start. Could be hard to catch off that. WHAT THE TOOTH (6) continues to race consistently having put five placings together. Has ground to make up on Superior Stride through his second two back but beat that rival home when third in the NSW Derby prior. GLADIATRIX (9) was back in the winners' list when she led throughout last start. Draws out but overcame the outside barrier to win the NSW Oaks at this circuit and distance last month. CEE CEE IN PARIS (8) draws wide but can be competitive after her second to Gladiatrix last start.
Race 9: APG 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL
Exciting colt DON HUNTER (6) beat all of these rivals for a winning return after racing parked last week, taking his record at this circuit and distance to two from two. Draws wider but should strip fitter and has plenty of talent so looks hard to stop. WICKED MOTION (2) made an encouraging debut when runner-up to Don Hunter last week. He should only be better for that experience and with the aid of a good draw could make a race of it again. REVVIN REYNARD (3) draws wider than when third behind the top two selections first up but has won second-up before so should strip fitter. LOCHINVAR JAZZ (1) draws much better than he did on debut so can improve.
Race 10: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE
OUR ROCKER (2) was a beaten favourite after leading in his first outing for Jason Grimson at Penrith but he locked wheels and only went under by a head. Has won second-up before so should strip fitter and has recorded a win and a placing in two tries at this distance. Has the speed to go forward from this draw so can atone. WAMBOYNEINAMERICA (7) backs up off a midfield effort here on Tuesday but had looked close to a win when runner-up in his previous two outings at this circuit and distance. Contender. PARTY CENTRAL (5) was far from disgraced when midfield from a wide barrier last week. Draws lower and strikes at 50 per cent at this distance. Last-start placegetter TITIAN RAIDER (1) draws to be competitive again.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #3 Soho Charmer – Talented and will be ready to go off a trial win.
Race 10 #2 Our Rocker – Fitter second-up and a good draw can see him atone.