Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - September 6

5 September 2025

 

Classy Victorian Bay of Biscay will need to overcome a wide draw if he is to go one better than last year’s second in The Eureka at Menangle on Saturday night.

The Eureka is the feature on a terrific program that also sees champion pacer Swayzee (pictured) chasing a winning return in the Len Smith Mile.

Race 1: THE BOTTLEMART STOCKADE

GLITTER AINT GOLD (11) came from a similar barrier when returning to winning form at Bathurst two back before placing in a Eureka lead-up here last start. This is a bit easier and while drawn deep he loves the distance with four wins and two placings from six attempts. OUR LUCIANO (10) can mix his form but showed what he is capable of when beating Len Smith Mile contender The Janitor for a Brisbane win three back. His record here reads well so could find his best. Queenslander ATTACHMENT (12) cops the visitors draw but is in form with back-to-back Albion Park wins, the latest in a G2. His Queensland winter carnival form suggests he is good enough with even luck. RAVISHING SLOY (7) and ROYAL CRUISER (8) both come off disappointing efforts but the prior form is good enough to see them measure up.

Race 2: COBBITTY EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE BLUE - 2YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 2)

The marble has fallen nicely again for SYDS JOY (1) after she led from this draw for a 4.2m win in her heat. That was her first attempt at the Menangle mile and should have brought her to her peak so she could be hard to catch again. FAKE FRIENDS (5) is consistent having yet to miss the top-two this time in including a Newcastle win two back when she led from one spot wider. Beaten favourite behind Syds Joy last start but she draws lower so could turn the tables. APPLAUDING (3) looks the big improver after a close third from this barrier when making her debut in the heats. With that experience under the belt she is a winning chance. GOT MY EYE ON YOU (12) draws widest but is hard to knock after winning her two starts to date while WHERES MY REASON (6) is another heat winner deserving of respect despite a wider draw.

Race 3: COBBITTY EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE BLUE - 3YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 2)

SMIRKIN SERENE (2) is promising filly who scored her third win in a row when resuming in the heats, leading to score by close to 8m. That made it two from two at this circuit and distance and she should be fitter for it. Has the gate speed to take advantage of the low draw so can add to the winning streak. A TRUE LOVE (1) overcame a back row draw and a tough run for a Bathurst win two back before she was a beaten favourite as runner-up from this draw in her heats. Should enjoy a soft run so can be right in the finish. SHES A WARRAWEE (12) draws deepest and had to settle for third as a hot favourite in her heat but was very good when she led from out wide to score here two back. Could bounce back. THE SWIFT ONE (10) is another drawn deep but she won the 2F version of this race last year and showed improvement as runner-up to Smirkin Serene last start so could be returning to form. DOLLY ROCKET (11) is worth including off the first-up win in the heats.

Race 4: COBBITTY EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE BLUE - 2YO COLTS & GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 2)

There was plenty to like about the first-up heat win of BOGDANAVIC (1) when he came from much wider to score by 2.8m at this circuit and distance. He'll be fitter for that and is lightly-raced with upside. The inside draw could see him deliver again. LEXY (4) led as a hot favourite in his heat but couldn't see it out and clocked in third behind Bogdanavic. He is better than that and has the speed to take advantage of the lower draw so could bounce back. COWBOY CULTURE (10) looks to have returned in good order having come from this barrier for a 2.8m heat win. He has upside and with added fitness on his side could take the next step. AFTERSHOCK (9) missed narrowly when debuting from a similar draw in the heats. He is open to improvement. The consistent CANTPLZA MALTEEZA (11) draws out but deserves respect having come from a similar barrier for a fighting win in the heats.

Race 5: TAB LEN SMITH MILE (GROUP 1)

Queensland raider THE JANITOR (4) faces his acid test against the big guns but he is an exciting prosect who was terrific from some tough draws through the Brisbane winter carnival. That hard racing could be the making of him and he is two from three here. A good draw gives him the chance to take this step. Champion pacer SWAYZEE (7) is better known as a stayer but has a strong record at this distance including a luckless fourth in this year's Miracle Mile. Strikes at 50 per cent when fresh and was primed with a trial win. Has won eight of 11 here and represents the class factor. KINGMAN (6) has been good in three starts here since joining Luke McCarthy, winning twice. Led from this barrier to score last time. Contender. CAPTAINS KNOCK (3) has been racing well since the Inter Dominion. Finally draws a favourable barrier and that brings him into contention. MAX DELIGHT (9) draws out but is in form with wins at his last two here, one from a wider barrier than this. Must respect.

Race 6: GREAT NORTHERN FFA

BETTERTHANCASH (2) enjoyed a class drop from the Brisbane winter carnival when a 5.6m winner at this circuit and distance in his first outing for Chris Judd. Overcame a wider barrier there so the good draw gives him every chance to go back to back. HORN PLAYER (5) was rewarded for his consistent form when he returned to the winners' list here last week, leading from a wider barrier to score by 7.6m over this distance. Can push forward again and is a big chance to go back-to-back. NYACK (10) has taken on stronger opposition in his two starts here since the Inter Dominion series where he placed in both his second round heat and the consolation. This is a more suitable assignment. CLASSIC MISSION (9) has claims having put together a string of top-two finishes, the latest a second to top mare Eye Keep Smiling. MAJOR PERRY (12) draws wide but must be respected off last week's second to Horn Player.

Race 7: THE TAB EUREKA

Last year's runner-up BAY OF BISCAY (11) will have to overcome a wide barrier if he is to go one better but represents the class of the race. He hasn't missed a place in six attempts at Menangle, winning three of them including this year's Chariots of Fire. That race is a good pointer and he has been set for this since so will be at his peak. FIGHTER COMMAND (8) qualified for this race with a demolition job on his rivals in Hobart two back and pushed multiple G1 winner Catch A Wave when beaten a head at Melton since. Beat Bay of Biscay home there and he draws inside that rival so could do it again. HESITATE (2) is a progressive colt who has had seven weeks off since his Queensland Derby second but was kept up to the mark with a trial win. This could pan out well for him from the low draw. Tough barrier for MIKI TO SUCCESS (14) but he is flying with big wins at his last two including the Discovery Stakes at this circuit and distance. The ace draw can see SEATHESTARS (1) in the finish.

Race 8: COBBITTY EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE BLUE - 3YO COLTS & GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 2)

MAC BON (11) draws wide but is the class runner of the field. He was good without much luck through the Brisbane winter carnival before proving too strong in his heat here last time. That took his record at this distance to four wins and two placings from six attempts. Take beating. JUNGLE DRAGON (5) had to settle for third as a hot favourite in his heat last start but did come from a wide barrier. Won two in a prior and a better draw can see a good showing. SOHO DARKNSTORMY (10) added to a string of top-three finishes when performing well from a similar barrier here last start. Won the 2CG version of this race last year. Go well. EVELYNS DRAGON (2) gets the ace draw and deserves respect after winning four of his last five starts, the latest from a wider barrier at this circuit and distance. OAKIE SMOKESHOW (3) has yet to miss a place and can be competitive again from the favourable draw.

BEST BETS:

Race 6 #2 Betterthancash – Back in winning form and a lower draw can see him deliver again.

Race 8 #11 Mac Bon – Has the class edge on this field so can overcome the wide draw.