Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - September 27

26 September 2025

 

Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix will have to overcome a 30m handicap and some strong opposition if he is to make a winning return in Saturday night’s Group 3 Trotters Cup at Menangle.

The program also sees smart three-year-old Hesitate (pictured) very well placed dropping in grade off his last start placing in The Eureka.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday September 27
Race 1: TINTIN IN AMERICA @ WINGATE FARM PACE
HI MANAMEISJEFF (11) made a winning return after 14 months on the sidelines, showing enough early speed from this barrier to work to the lead before scoring by 4.2m. Drops to a distance where he has won eight of nine attempts, the lone defeat coming when he galloped in a Miracle Mile. Two-time second-up winner so should be improved. Take beating. BEACH BALL (8) was a bit disappointing when last seen in the Inter Dominion series but did manage to place in the consolation. The only time he raced here he was runner-up to topliner Don Hugo. Hasn't missed a place at the mile and has been readied with a trial win. BETTERTHANCASH (4) draws lower than when runner-up to Hi Manameisjeff last time so should be competitive again. RIPP (10) came from this barrier to beat a subsequent Group winner when scoring in his latest appearance. Deserves respect as does CYA ART (7) who comes off a boilover Group 1 win in the Len Smith Mile at this circuit and distance last start.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
HESITATE (3) is a smart colt who makes his first appearances since a brave third in The Eureka. Went into that fresh off a brave second in the Queensland Derby so has been mixing it strongly at the top level. He'll enjoy tonight's class drop and has the speed to take advantage of a good draw. CLASSIC MISSION (8) continues to race well, adding to a string of top-four finishes when he came from this barrier and finished runner-up in a handy line-up last week. Should be in the finish again. VITE MONET (2) hasn't been far away since winning here last month, all from wider barriers. Can be involved from this more favourable draw. FRANCO TYSON (4) produced some good form here last campaign and was readied with a trial placing. Keep safe. MONTALBANO (6) only missed by a neck when runner-up from a similar barrier last week. Include again.
Race 3: CLUB MENANGLE, MENANGLE PARK TROTTERS CUP (GROUP 3)
IM BOBBY (14) is a trotter in form, stretching his winning run to seven by coming from a 30m handicap to score over a similar distance at Melton last start. Two wins in that streak have come at this circuit and he'll have the fitness edge on a few of his main rivals. ARCEE PHOENIX (15) makes his first appearance since a dominant win in the Inter Dominion Final in Brisbane in July. Gives away a start from the 30m mark but has won three of four fresh attempts and has been readied with two trials, easily winning the latest. GUS (12) resumes off an Albion Park win in July and was competitive in the Inter Dominion series prior. Yet to win fresh and manners can be a worry but he was readied with a trial win and starts from the 10m mark so gets a head start on a few of his main rivals. PARISIAN ARTISTE (11) showed his talent by beating Arcee Phoenix in an Inter Dominion heat and should be ready to off two trials. TORO STRIDE (13) deserves respect after finding winning form here last start.
Race 4: NATIONALTROTGUIDE.COM.AU LADYSHIP PACE
CLASSIC ELEGANCE (2) has done a good job to place in both starts at this circuit since crossing the Tasman, last week coming from a couple of spots wider for third in the Carousel final. Won her lone attempt at this shorter distance and will be close to peak fitness. A good draw can see her break through. GOLLY GEE FELLAS (1) draws much better than she did last time and came from this barrier two back when not far off some handy male rivals in The Stockade. Suited back to the mile having won three of the four times she has attempted it here and will be race fit now. OUR SAYDIE KAY (10) took no competitive part after bombing the start last week but won on protest here prior so deserves another chance despite a wide draw. ONYX SHARD (6) could be close to a win after placing in her last three starts here, one of them from this barrier.
Race 5: SUCCESS STUD EQUINE BREEDING PACE
ITZBUDDHA (1) was good in his first outing for the Grimson yard when he came from a wide barrier in this grade to be beaten only 2.8m into second behind a promising rival at this circuit and distance. Much better served by the ace draw so can go one better. COASTAL DRIVE (2) is another that was very good from a tough draw last time, beaten only 3.7m into third. Had won three of his previous four outings at this circuit and a much better draw could see him return to winning form. COSMIC FLYER (3) was down the track in the Carousel final last start but did a good job to place in his heat prior. This may suit better and he draws well. FOXY DADA (5) and JALANEEL (6) are both worth including after finishing close-up last start.
Race 6: HYLAND HARNESS FULL SUITS PACE
LIEUTENANT ARDEN (4) had enough to speed to cross to the lead from a wide barrier last start before drawing away to score by 8m at this circuit and distance. Has won two of three previous third-up attempts so should be peaking and can take advantage of the lower draw. LUVARESCHS (2) came from wider when fourth against the mares last week. She'll appreciate the lower draw having had this barrier when a close fourth in The Stockade prior. EL CAMINO (1) drew deepest last start but had won two in a row prior. The ace draw could see him find that form again. BALTUSROL (6) improved for a 1.6m third here last start and is proven third-up so could take another step forward.
Race 7: FARMER JOES CHICKEN PACE
MACH DA VINCI (2) put the writing on the wall with an improved showing for second last start, coming from a few spots wider to be beaten 2.6m at this circuit and distance. He'll be nearing peak fitness now and should get his chance from this draw. The recent form of RAVISHING SLOY (4) may not leap off the page but he broke last start and was tackling stronger company prior. If he behaves and performs up to his second in the Discovery Stakes from a wider draw here last month he's a big chance. UNFAZED (6) has won the last two times he raced over the mile at this circuit, last time coming from this barrier to beat Mach Da Vinci. Could do it again. TERRY (7) gets Hart back on and could be getting back to form after finishing only 2.3m off the winner last week. A much better draw could see ROCLEA IMAGE (3) produce his best form.
Race 8: MENANGLE PARK COMMUNITY PACE
VINKE B (5) has been working towards another win and looks ready to deliver after he was edged out narrowly last week. The step up to a distance he is yet to win at is a query but he is racing well. JORDY (6) has produced a series of close-up efforts, coming from this barrier to finish only 1.3m off the winner last week. Vinke B finished in front of him there but he does have a better record at this trip. SAHARA SIROCCO (4) draws wider than he has at his last couple but they have been decent efforts including a placing two back. HES A MEISTER (7) did a good job to place in his first outing for the new stable. Draws wider but placed the only time he attempted this distance.
BEST BETS:
Race 4 #2 Classic Elegance – Peaking after two placings off a spell and draws well.
Race 7 #2 Mach Da Vinci – Draws to advantage and looks ready to produce his best.