Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - July 4

3 July 2026

 

Talented pacer Im the Falcon will be looking to make it a hat trick of wins since returning to the Jason Grimson yard when he lines up again at Menangle on Saturday night.

The program also features the Trot NSW finals where boom juvenile Verbici (pictured) will be looking to maintain a perfect record in the two-year-old race while NSW Oaks winner Gladiatrix chases another Menangle feature in the three-year-old.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday July 4

Race 1: WESTS TIGERS EMPOWER PACE

HUTA (6) has improved with each start this time in and put the writing on the wall when runner-up at this circuit and distance last time out. Draws wider but should be hitting his peak now. There was plenty to like about the latest performance of BETTER ECLIPSE (11) when fifth after racing up to five wide from this barrier. Will need better luck but is building in fitness and has the class. SOUTH SEAS ROCK (5) drew wide and had no luck at Listed level last start but recorded back-to-back placings here prior. Better suited in this company so can bounce back. PERFECT STRIDE (10) drew wide again but only missed narrowly from a similar draw here last week so could be close to a win. HUGO MAGUIRE (2) has been racing consistently from wider barriers so could be competitive again from this nice draw.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

ALTA SIERRA (7) added to a string of wins and placings when beaten just over a metre here last week. Draws deeper but came from wider than this to place the previous time he raced here. Finds a winnable assignment. MISSAUDACIOUS (6) was a beaten favourite last week but was good when runner-up to a good mare at Listed level prior. Proven at this longer distance so she is worth another chance. MIKE ROSS (3) hasn't been far away here of late, beaten just over 4m last time. Owns a good record at this longer distance and draws to be competitive. WITHDISTINCTION (1) came from wider to find winning form here last week and should enjoy a soft run from the inside draw. DOUBLE FEAR (4) was held up last week but did well to come from wider for second here prior so is worth including.

Race 3: CELEBRATING MEGS PACE

Progressive three-year-old THE NITESHIFT (2) took his record to four from five when working to the front from a wider barrier before going on to score by 5.6m here last week. Tries this distance for the first time but has the speed to take full advantage of the low draw so can strike again. OUR ROCKER (5) has yet to miss the top-three since joining Jason Grimson for this campaign. Winner in this grade here two back before a 1.6m third last time. Race fit now so should play a role again. BETTORLIGHTEM UP (6) made a successful hit-and-run trek to Brisbane for a last-start win at Albion Park. Recorded a win and a placing from wider barriers in his previous two outings here. Contender. NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (7) made it two from two for Seaton Grima when scoring here last week. This looks stronger but he drew a couple of spots lower so could take another step.

Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL

TINNY MAHONEY (1) has won two of his last three starts at Tamworth, leading from this barrier both times. Owns a decent record at this distance and could be hard to catch again. Hard to knock the recent consistency of DONNIE MAC (4) who added to a string of top-two finishes when he raced three wide without cover but scored by 4.6m at Wagga last week. Similar draw and could strike again. SINBAD SASSY (6) was first up for six months when runner-up to Donnie Mac at Wagga. Has won when second-up before so should be improved. There wasn't much between JEWEL HEAVEN (3) and BEANCOUNTER (2) when finishing one-two in their heat at Bathurst and both draw to be competitive.

Race 5: AUSSIE NIGHT MARKETS THIS SATURDAY FFA

IM THE FALCON (9) is two from two here since returning to Jason Grimson, overcoming the outside barrier each time. Far too good over this distance last time, working to the front before going on to score by 11m. Stronger opposition here but is going well enough to deliver again. RIPP (10) continues to race well having placed in Listed races in both outings since scoring a win at this circuit and distance. Cops the outside barrier but the recent consistency is hard to knock. GLITTER AINT GOLD (8) beat Ripp in winning the Paul Fitzpatrick FFA last week, his second success from his last three outings here. Draws wider but he is in fine form. SAO PAULO SIMBA (3) rises in grade but has returned in terrific order, coming from wider barriers to win his last two attempts at this circuit and distance. A good draw could see him take this next step. LOUIE LOU I (7) deserved the last-start win from a similar draw. Races well at the mile so can be competitive again.

Race 6: TAB LADYSHIP PACE

JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (10) has her hoof on the till after finishing runner-up in her three starts at this circuit and distance since joining Peter Rixon. Draws wider but has chased the in-form Isla Rochelle at her last couple and avoids that rival tonight so can break through. CHANGE TACT (7) returns off a couple of Queensland hitouts where she performed well from back row draws. Winner at this venue and distance before heading north. Contender. ALFNALMA (11) faded out last week but she is better that that. Beat the boys at Bathurst prior and is worth another chance despite the wide draw. ULTIMATE DIVA (4) was brave in adding to a string of placings when just behind Jilliby Illuminate after racing three wide without cover here last week. Go well again.

Race 7: NUTRIEN EQUINE 2YO TROT NSW FINAL

Exciting gelding VERBICI (7) stretched his unbeaten run to three with a dominant performance in the Nutrien final at Wagga last start, settling back in the field before surging home to cruise in by 14m. Cops his widest draw yet but the form is impossible to knock. KYVALLEY DIABLO (6) looked promising in kicking off his career with a 9m win at Bendigo. Recovered from an early break there so still has something to learn but easily won a trial since and that should have brought him on. Draws inside the favourite so could challenge him. CHIEF KENNY (5) has yet to win but continues to race well, finishing runner-up in five of his six starts. Can be competitive again. SUMMER KISS (3) showed some improvement to place at start number two and draws well as does SUMTHIN DIFFERENT (2) who broke last time but did produce a couple of handy results early on.

Race 8: NUTRIEN EQUINE 3YO TROT NSW FINAL

NSW Oaks winner GLADIATRIX (6) raced parked but stuck on to place behind a handy one last time after leading from a similar draw and scoring by 5m two back. Drops to a distance where she has won five of seven attempts, all of them here. She looks the standout in a highly winnable assignment. CEE CEE IN PARIS (5) was one spot behind Gladiatrix last time and also chased her as runner-up prior. It won't be easy to turn the tables on that rival but she is going well enough to be in the finish. BROTHER MOUNTAIN (4) brings good form from Victoria where he won two back at Melton before a second at Bendigo last week. Has recorded a win and a placing in two tries at the mile so can be competitive along with PURPLE MOON (3) who is starting to deliver now, beating Gladiatrix home when runner-up at big odds two back before breaking her maiden here last week.

Race 9: NUTRIEN EQUINE 4&5YO TROT NSW FINAL

SEBASTIANS WAITING (5) overcame a second row draw when making a winning return by close to 8m at Bendigo last week. That was his first outing for more than four months and he has won when second-up before so could progress enough to take this next step. MALIBUU (4) hasn't raced since tackling a hot field of mares in the G1 Macarthur Mile here in May but has been readied with two nice trials. Her best would take her close in this. SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN (2) continues to race well, placing in his last five attempts here. A low draw could see him break through. MAXIMUS MERIDIUS (3) enjoys a class drop after tackling the G3 Yamamoto Mile last start and owns a decent record at this circuit and distance.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #2 The Niteshift – On the up and a good draw can see him deliver again.

Race 6 #10 Jilliby Illuminate – Deserves a win and gets her chance in this.