Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - May 10

9 May 2025

 

Boom Victorian trotter Keayang Zahara (pictured) and in-form local Eye Keep Smiling headline Pacing For Pink night at Menangle on Saturday where four Group 1 races will be contested.

Those mares look set to dominate betting for the Macarthur Mile and Queen Elizabeth II Mile respectively while the fillies will be chasing glory in Oaks races for both the pacers and trotters.
Race 1: COUTTS LAWYERS & CONVEYANCERS PACE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY (2) was a bit hit-and-miss when last seen in the Inter Dominion series last year but did manage a second in a heat. Has been readied with three trials and has won two of them so looks to be back in good order. Two-time fresh winner who should get his chance from this draw. Stablemate IM THE FALCON (4) looks close to another win having come from wider draws to place in his last three outings at this circuit and distance. He could deliver tonight. PETES SAID SO (3) is another that will enjoy a low draw having come from wider for second in his last three outings. KINGMAKER (6) hasn't raced since March but scored here two back and is a four-time winner when fresh. CHEVRON ART (10) draws wide but was rewarded for his recent consistency with a last-start win so respect.
Race 2: TAB TANYIA HARRIS OAM LADY DRIVERS INVITATIONAL
SWEETHEART BART (2) did a great job to place in both rounds of the Riverina Championships at Wagga, beaten 5.3m into second in the Listed final last start. That form reads strongly for this and he should enjoy the favours form this draw. FRANCO TYSON (1) drew very wide when down the track last time but had made it two wins on end when scoring from this barrier here two back so looking for a return to that form. GUILTY PARTY (3) came from wider when he returned to winning form here last week. A good draw can see him in the finish again. PORT AU PRINCE (5) is in the mix having followed a win from this barrier at Newcastle with a placing here last week.
Race 3: DEDICATED TO THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION PACE
Exciting pacer THE NARCISSIST (6) returns to Menangle on a seven-race winning streak, last week pushing forward from this barrier to find the front at Melton before scoring by 5m. That was his first outing for six weeks so it should have improved him and he came from wider to win over this distance the only time he raced here. Should maintain his perfect record for the Stewart camp. The recent consistency of QUIET STORM (1) is hard to knock, adding to a string of wins and placings when scoring by 2.8m here last week. Can be involved again. NO HEART THROB (9) draws wide but is going well with a string of top-two finishes including a second from this barrier. RYANS GANGSTER (3) draws much better than last start and had put together a series of wins and placings prior so deserves respect. OOGA CHAKA (5) is worth including off a win from a wider barrier two back.
Race 4: FRAN FITZPATRICK CHERYL MCDOWELL PINK BONNET (GROUP 3)
QUATRO MOTH (5) is under the care of a champion trainer of juveniles and kicked off her career with a win, taking advantage of the inside draw to lead and win by 3.3m at Melton. She draws wider but has the speed to get across and natural improvement is likely. Can go on with it. CONCILIATE (7) has been freshened since she led and faded to fourth over further in the Nutrien Equine Classic Final at Melton last start but had looked good in her other two starts over this distance, winning here on debut before romping home at Newcastle. Can bounce back. CAPTURE OUR HEART (6) has yet to win but has been good in all three starts, clocking in second in her first two before a fourth in the Gold Tiara. Freshened since but can be competitive. FAKE FRIENDS (9) has only once missed the top three in six starts and that came at G1 level. Placed against the boys in the Sapling Stakes the last time she raced here. Go well.
Race 5: HARAS DES TROTTEURS NSW TROTTERS OAKS (GROUP 1)
GATESYS GEM (1) was a beaten favourite when resuming but that was against older rivals and from a wider draw so the effort had merit. She won her only-second up attempt so should be improved and is well served by the ace draw. She mixed it with the best young trotters last season and that form would see her hard to stop. WHY TANYA SUE (7) is the big query having joined Emma Stewart since winning her only two starts in Brisbane last season. Hasn't raced for more than 10 months but won her latest trial and looks talented. KEAYANG KURKI (9) bettered some smart male trotters for a resuming win at Geelong and beat Gatesys Gem for a G1 win in the Vicbred final last season so looks to offer some value. TRACY THE JET (11) draws wide but has come back in fine order, winning both starts since a spell. She could be ready for this level. ALDEBARAN SUE (5) takes a quick step up in class but won well on debut so include.
Race 6: JOHN GIBSON MEMORIAL NSW OAKS (GROUP 1)
SOHO AMERICANO (3) has been terrific this time in with six wins and three placings from nine starts. Overcame a wide barrier to return to winning form in last week's heat and led from a similar draw to this to win the Raith Memorial here earlier in the preparation. This race should pan out well for her so goes on top. IVSEENHEAVENSLIGHT (8) couldn't see it out after leading in her heat but she only went under by 1.2m. Won three in a row prior including last season's G1 Vicbred final so she is classy and will be at peak fitness. GUNNA RELOAD (2) and SUGAR PIE HONEY (5) are honest and reliable fillies coming off placings in the heats last week. Both draw well enough to feature in the finish again while COOL AND CLASSY (6) has placed in all three starts this time so should be hitting her peak now.
Race 7: PRYDES EASIFEED QUEEN ELIZABETH II MILE (GROUP 1)
EYE KEEP SMILING (10) has become one of the best and most reliable mares in the country having stretched her winning streak to five by coming from this barrier and racing wide before taking out last week's Robin Dundee by 4m. That added to an impressive strike rate at this distance and while she may have to work again she is good enough to do it and win. RAKERO REBEL (5) did a great job to come from wider than Eye Keep Smiling for second last week. Has won four of seven at this distance and a lower draw gives her the chance to turn the tables. SWEET BELLA (6) was an eye-catcher when showing good improvement to place last week. She is unbeaten in three third-up attempts so should be peaking. SWEETNIKKILOU (1) hasn't had a lot of luck of late, drawing out and racing parked when only 4m away last start. Draws to enjoy better favours tonight. PANDAIA (3) took a big step up with her last-start Sibelia Stakes win from a wider barrier so deserves respect from the low draw.
Race 8: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS MACARTHUR MILE (GROUP 1)
Brilliant mare KEAYANG ZAHARA (4) stretched her unbeaten run to 15 with a resuming win at Melton last week. The margin wasn't huge but it was her first outing since ending last year's NZ raid with a massive NZ Derby win in December so the hitout will have improved her. Won the NSW Oaks and Derby double in her only two visits to this circuit. Hard to tip against her. IM READY JET (7) gave Keayang Zahara a scare last week, leading and fighting well to finish a head behind her. A wider draw won't make it easy to turn the tables but she won this race last year so must rate highly. SUSAN IS HER NAME (2) has been dominant in winning her three starts at Melton since a spell. Takes on a stronger bunch tonight but draws well and is two from two at the distance. GOLDEN SUNSET (1) faces the top mares tonight but draws the inside and it's hard to knock her Brisbane form where she has won seven of her last eight starts. ALDEBARAN ACRUX (3) draws well and is an exotic hope off a Melton win two back.
Race 9: SCHWEPPES LADYSHIP PACE
LET HER ROLL (2) had no luck from a wider barrier in last week's NSW Oaks heat but she found the line well for fourth. Had put together a strong record in Victoria prior including a fresh win at Melton two back and a Breeders Crown win last season. She'll be close to her peak third-up and should get every chance from this draw. EVER ART (7) drops in grade off a G3 last week and had finished runner-up in her other three starts this time in, two of them behind star mare Eye Keep Smiling. She looks nicely placed in this line-up. BELLA DANZA (4) is going well with two wins and two seconds from her last five starts. Beaten only 3.5m in a higher-graded race last time and while freshened since she draws well. BOULEVARDOFDREAMS (6) won well first up at Bathurst then drew wide and worked so wasn't disgraced when fourth here last time. Respect along with TWILIGHT HEAVEN (5) who beat her home for an upset win here last start.
Race 10: CARLTON DRY PACE
MIKI PINS (6) looks close to another win after coming from one spot wider for third last week, his second placing from his last three starts. Strikes at 50 per cent when contesting the mile at this venue. Could break through. WA visitor SKYLORD (2) is a talented entire first up from a spell of four-and-a-half months after tackling strong opposition last time in. Flies fresh winning four of five attempts and will be ready to go off a solid trial here. Won the only time he raced at the mile and draws well. I BREAK THE LINE (5) didn't have the best of luck off a wider barrier last time but is a player of his Regional Championships placing two back. BAINBRIDGE (8) draws wide but owns a decent record at this venue and his best form would measure right up.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #2 Sweetheart Bart – Great through the Riverina Championships series and is well placed down in grade.
Race 9 #2 Let Her Roll – Luckless last week but should enjoy much better favours from this draw.