Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - September 28

27 September 2024

 

Queensland Derby winner Major Hot steps out for a new stable when he makes his first appearance at Menangle on Saturday night.

Progressive Victorian mare Virginia Clowers also races in Sydney for the first time when she tackles the Group 3 Club Menangle Trotters Cup.

Race 1: HUNTSVILLE STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE
Last-start Queensland Derby winner MAJOR HOT (3) makes his first outing in Sydney for new trainer Paul Fitzpatrick. The former Kiwi hasn't raced for two months but took great strides over the Brisbane carnival and has been readied with two nice trials. He goes well fresh and a low draw can see him make an immediate impact. MAJOR MAJOR (9) is going well having yet to miss the top-two this time in, all from similar barriers to this. Too strong in lesser grade two back and stuck on last week. Race fit so has strong claims. REGAZZO DI TILLY (5) wasn't far from the placings from a similar draw last week. Go well again. OURMATEMENKO (4) draws deeper than in the last-start win but that made it two from two at this circuit and distance so he must rate highly.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
CURLY JAMES (10) disappointed when fading out over further last time but he is much better than that having finished second in his previous two outings over this shorter distance so the drop back to the mile should suit him. Prepared to give him another chance. WHEREYABINBOPPIN (9) was a winner at this circuit last month and could be close to another success after back-to-back placings, the latest after leading from this same barrier. Major player. MACH DA VINCI (8) returned to winning form here last week and while drawn wider his confidence will be high. JILLIBY NITRO (4) was just behind Mach Da Vinci last week and draws better than that rival tonight. Contender. CLASSIE WASHINGTON (5) draws deeper but must be respected off the last-start win.

Race 3: SUMMERTIME PREMIUM POULTRY PACE
DOM TORETTO (3) has yet to miss a place in three starts at this circuit since crossing the Tasman. Scored well two back then kept giving for second in the Carousel Final last week. Another good draw gives him strong claims. IDEAL MARQUESS (2) was a winner here last month and looks close to another success after back-to-back placings, the latest in the Carousel Final when just over 2m behind Dom Toretto. Draws inside that rival tonight and is a chance to turn the tables. CAPTAIN TOM (1) has been performing well from wider barriers including a win three back. He led on that occasion so has the speed to take advantage of the inside draw. AMERICAN HAMMER (6) was fourth from a deeper draw last time and the prior form was strong, missing by a nose from this barrier here two back to follow successive Penrith wins. Contender.

Race 4: HYLAND HARNESS COLOURS PACE
MADIGAN (10) is a newcomer to Sydney and the Alchin yard and brings winning form, taking out a Vicbred Super Series consolation at Bendigo last start. He has a win and a placing from two third-up attempts and owns a good record at this distance. Draws deep but can make an immediate impact with Cameron Hart driving. CATSEYE BEACH (8) has been solid in two Sydney outings this time in, placing fresh before a last-start fourth in the Carousel final. Draws deeper but should be nearing peak fitness. MAEBEE (11) cops the outside barrier but had enough speed to lead from a wide gate last week and then stuck on for a 1.5m second. Contender. VINKE B (9) locked wheels last week but had been racing well before that so may be worth another chance.

Race 5: SUCCESS STUD SUPPORTING NSW RACING LADYSHIP PACE
SWEET AGENDA (7) will enjoy a class drop after a midfield finish in a higher-graded race here last week. Her prior form reads well, beaten only 2m two back to follow a Penrith win. Draws deeper but she was Listed placed here last month so if things go her way this is winnable. CARRERA SUNSET (10) draws out but she has been racing well including a nose defeat last week and a win here three back. She is going well enough to overcome the barrier. SWEET COCO (11) was a beaten favourite last time but did come from similar barriers for back-to-back wins here last month so is capable. THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (8) disappointed as a hot favourite last week but the prior form was strong including a good win over Sweet Coco three back so she is worthy of another chance.

Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE TROTTERS CUP (GROUP 3)
VIRGINIA CLOWERS (7) resumes after making strong progress last campaign where she won five of seven starts including the Listed Matriarch Trot at Melton two back. Proven fresh and was readied with a trial win so can make a winning return. Handy mare FUNKY MONKEY (11) made a good return when beaten 2.2m into third last week. She has to overcome a 20m handicap tonight but will strip fitter for that last outing. TORO STRIDE (9) has been freshened since a last-start second but has been kept up to the mark with a trial and won three of his previous four outings here so must rate highly. Last-start winner LEAF STRIDE (1) hasn't raced for four weeks but has trialled and goes well on the fresh side. Player from the front mark. SPEEDY LOVER (3) deserves respect after overcoming a wide barrier to find winning form last week.

Race 7: D M PLUMBING PACE
PORT AU PRINCE (1) - pictured - was solid in a higher-graded race here last week when he showed early speed to lead before handing up but sticking on to finish midfield. This looks an easier assignment and he has the gate speed to take advantage of the inside draw. RELENTLESS ME (2) is a newcomer to the Alchin yard from Victoria and while her recent form doesn't leap off the page she did show ability earlier in her career. Tuned up with two nice trials including a win in her latest and a good draw can see her make an immediate impact. KING TIGER (6) led and faded last week but that was in a higher-graded race. The prior form was sound and this should suit him better. WAVETHEBILL (3) did a good job for fourth from the outside barrier last week and he is better served by this draw.

Race 8: NATIONALTROTGUIDE.COM.AU PACE
WHISKEY CAVALIER (6) was beaten into fourth when resuming as a hot favourite here last start but that was his first outing for more than five months so he should have come on. Owns good records at both the distance and when second-up so can atone. MONTALBANO (4) appreciated the inside draw when returning to winning form at this circuit and distance last week, getting home by more than 5m. Draws a few spots wider but the confidence will be high now. DOUBLE ACT (7) could be close to a win after a series of nice efforts at this venue, last week coming from this same draw for third behind Montalbano. JOE NIEN (2) returns to the city and has been coming from the back row of late so can be competitive from the favourable draw.

BEST BETS:
Race 3 #3 Dom Toretto – In good form and can take advantage of another low draw.
Race 8 #6 Whiskey Cavalier – Fitter and can improve plenty second-up.