Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - July 18

17 July 2026

 

The clash of Italian import Gandhi Mail with talented trotting mares Gatesys Gem (pictured) and Your Majesty is a highlight of the Menangle meeting on Saturday.


The program also features the Winter Gift Final where Jason Grimson holds a strong hand with Our Rocker and I Got Chills.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday July 18

Race 1: WOODLANDS STUD PACE

NO NOTTHEBUTTONS (7) rises in grade but has looked good in easily winning his three starts since joining Seaton Grima. Came from this same barrier last time, racing parked before drawing right away to salute by close to 10m at this circuit. Can take this next step. There was plenty to like about the latest performance of DESSIE GEE (4) when he came from wider for a 1.4m second in a handy line-up. That continued a run of top-four results and he should get his chance from this draw. ISLA ROCHELLE (8) missed the placings as favourite at Wagga last week but had scored twice in a row here prior, part of a long string of win and placings. Can bounce back. MIKE ROSS (5) and ALTA SIERRA (6) have been thereabouts of late and can be competitive.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

OAKIE SMOKESHOW (2) copped the outside barrier when resuming last week so was far from disgraced when midfield. Much better served by this barrier and he showed some strong form last campaign. Has recorded a win and a placing in two previous second-up attempts so expect big improvement. MONTEFIORE (3) could be close to a win after coming from wider to place in two of his last three outings here, beaten just 1.4m last week. Should get his chance from this barrier. RIVERA LOU (9) may need some luck from the wide draw but could be close to a win following back-to-back placings. PETES CRUNCH TIME (4) is another drawn lower than last week and there was merit in that effort when beaten only 3.2m into fourth. BARTELLO (7) draws wider but showed improvement to place last week and should be fitter again third up.

Race 3: CLUB MENANGLE WINTER GIFT FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC)

OUR ROCKER (6) enjoyed the drop back to the mile when he came from this barrier to score by close to 6m in last week's heats. Yet to miss a place in five tries at this distance, winning three, and his strike rate at this venue stands at 50 per cent. Looks the one to beat. Stablemate I GOT CHILLS (5) made a good start for Jason Grimson when he came from the outside barrier to go under narrowly last week. May have come on form that and a better draw sees him as a danger. CHANGE TACT (11) may need some luck from a wider draw but she in in fine form and is tough to knock having won her last three visits to this circuit, all over this distance. LETS TURN IT ON (1) came from wider to find winning form last week. The ace draw should see him competitive again.

Race 4: TAB PACE

Hard to knock the recent consistency of SAINT CRUSADER (9) who has put together a string of top-two results at this venue including a win over this distance three back. Led from a similar draw and dug deep to go under narrowly last time. Big chance. SWEET IDEAL (10) heads north with strong Melton form. Chased a handy one when runner-up last start and had won two of her previous four. Draws wide but can measure up. JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (7) has the hoof on the till after finishing runner-up in her last four outings at this circuit and distance, coming from wider to miss narrowly last time. KARTIARE (11) is another heading up from Victoria. Cops the outside barrier but has been producing some decent efforts from the back row of late. WAMBOYNEINAMERICA (8) draws wide but his form reads well.

Race 5: HAPPY 50TH DEAN GARRIOCK PACE

SAO PAULO SIMBA (7) is making terrific progress this campaign and made it three wins in a row at this circuit when scoring by 9m a fortnight ago. Up in distance and draws wider but he is going well enough to overcome both of those challenges. SINALOA (5) did a good job to come from wide on the back row for fifth to flying mare Captains Mistress in the G1 Rising Sun in Brisbane last start. Led for a second-up win here prior. Race fit now and could threaten. PICCADILLY PETE (2) came from a wider barrier for third at Listed level last week. Placed the only time he attempted this longer distance and should get every chance from a low draw. PERFECT STRIDE (8) rises in grade and draws wider but is back in winning form as is SOUTH SEAS ROCK (6) who could be worth a spot in the exotics.

Race 6: KING OF SWING STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM LADYSHIP PACE

MISS ARI (10) is a progressive Victorian mare who is racing in fine form, beating the boys to win her last two outings at Melton. Up in the gradings but she returns to her own sex and while she cops a wide draw she has won at this venue before. SNAP SHOT (11) was solid when beaten only 2.4m from a similar draw in a Winter Gift heat last week. She looks suited back against the mares and managed a win at this circuit and distance last month. SWEET DREAMS (4) faces her biggest test yet but is unbeaten in three starts since crossing from NZ and does get the barrier advantage over a few of her main rivals. ULTIMATE DIVA (8) didn't have the best of luck when beaten 6m last time. Recorded three straight placings prior, racing wide but sticking on for third here two back. Include.

Race 7: DAHUA COMMUNITY TROTTERS MOBILE

European import GANDHI MAIL (3) makes his first Australian appearance for Anton Golino having put together a string of wins before leaving Italy. Has tuned up for his local debut by winning three trials at this circuit and distance and a good draw can see him make an immediate impact. GATESYS GEM (2) looks to be back to her best for this campaign having made a winning return at Melton last week. Races well second up so should be improved and owns strong statistics both here and at the mile. Can push forward from a low draw. Big chance again. YOUR MAJESTY (6) wasn't disgraced from the back row in the G1 Great Square in Brisbane last start. Had put together a string of wins and placings here prior so is better placed and could have a fitness edge on the top two. SUNNY GEE (1) is going well, coming from a 40m handicap to place on Tuesday to follow back-to-back placings here. Gets the inside draw so include along with COURAGE STRIDE (8) who draws out but hasn't been too far away of late.

Race 8: PRYDE'S STAMINA PACE

IM ROCKIN IT (9) looks close to a win after placing in two of his last three outings at this circuit and distance, beaten only 1.4m when third in a Winter Gift heat last week. Draws out so may need a touch of luck but looks nicely placed in this line-up. ULTIMATE CRUZA (6) hasn't been too far from the placings in his last two outings here. His record at this circuit is a concern but he does his best work at this distance. NOVANTA RISING (7) came from a similar barrier to be beaten only 4m in a Winter Gift heat last week and should be approaching peak fitness now. SPIRIT OF ARION (4) draws a little wider than last week but there was merit in that effort when only 2.3m away. TOMAHAWK BART (3) draws much better than last start so look for improvement.

BEST BETS:

Race 2 #2 Oakie Smokeshow – Fitter second-up and much better drawn.

Race 8 #9 Im Rockin It – Draws wide but finds a winnable assignment.