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Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - 10th February 2024

3 minute read

Multiple Group 1 winner Rock N Roll Doo adds some quality to the Menangle program as he returns to that venue for the first time since winning last year's Len Smith Mile.

Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday February 10.

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS PACE

Ardens Ace (5) has the hoof on the till after narrow defeats in his last two outings here, leading from a similar draw last week and fighting on well to go under by just a nose. Big chance to go one better. DARK TERROR (4) overcame a wide draw to score two back and went well again when placed behind Ardens Ace last week. Contender. SPORTY DANCER (7) took on a higher-graded mares' race last week and has claims off a second in the Adore Me Stakes two back. LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (3) has been very consistent of late with a string of top-four finishes. Can feature again from the low draw.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

Stravinsky (8) is in a purple patch of form and made it two wins in a row at this circuit and distance when getting home by 5 metres last week. Draws wider but was dominant from a similar barrier two back. Big chance to land the hat trick. ROCKOKOKO (5) only missed by a head here last week, his second narrow defeat in three starts since a fresh win. Draws well and is rarely out of the money at this distance. Big chance. NICHOLAS CAGE (10) put it together in his third Australian outing, recording a last-start win by 1.4 metres at this venue. Draws out but is race fit and could go on with it now. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (9) draws wider than in last week's second but his record at the distance is hard to ignore.

Race 3: GARRARDS PACE

Soho Moonraker (10) will be fitter for his resuming effort in Victoria where he led and boxed on for fourth. That was his first outing since ending last campaign with a win in a Vicbred Super series consolation having earlier placed in a heat of that series. Draws wide but this suits. Stablemate YAHOO (6) recorded a strong performance second-up last time when he led and battled on bravely to just miss out by a head at Melton. Draws deeper but won his only third-up attempt so should be close to peaking. FREDDY SINGH (8) must be respected after scoring last start by 1.3 metres at Penrith, his third success from his last five outings. SAINT VERAN (1) brings good form to the city and gets every chance from the ace draw.

Race 4: AGNES BANKS EQUINE VET LADYSHIP PACE

Youtakemybreathaway (2) didn't perform to market expectations last week but she drops significantly in grade and her first Australian effort two back was good when runner up at Ballarat. Draws well so prepared to give her another chance at this level. SOHO RHAPSODY (8) has yet to fire this time in but she is better than what she has been showing and is better suited against her own sex. She is building in fitness so looking for a better showing. PAS DE CHEVAL (7) was far from disgraced against a better line-up last week and her prior form at Bathurst was good. She is on the radar. THERESA LOVE (11) draws deep but there was merit in her latest performance against the boys in a higher-graded race at Bathurst.

Race 5: CORDINA CHICKEN FARMS HONDO GRATTAN STAKES

Dont Stop Dreaming (6) impressed when second from the back row in last week's A.G. Hunter Cup at Melton where he surged late to finish 1.6m off Leap To Fame. Got within a nose of Inter Dominion placegetter Better Eclipse in the Casey Classic at his other Australian start. Won his only attempt at this distance and will relish the return to his own age group. CAPTAINS KNOCK (3) led and fought on for a 2.1m third in last week's G2 4YO Bonanza at Melton after a resuming win at this circuit. Owns impressive records here and at the distance and draws to push forward. OUR VINNIE (2) resumes for new trainer Jason Grimson off consistent form last time in, highlighted by a SA Derby win. He draws for a soft run. SOONER THE BETTOR (9) is a well-performed Kiwi making his Australian debut. Draws a little wide but must be respected off a NZ Derby placing two starts back. BETTER BE THE BEST (4) owns an impressive strike rate and will be ready to go off three trials. Player from a good draw.

Race 6: CONDELL PARK PRODUCE PACE

Rock N Roll Doo (8) makes his first appearance since an aborted Inter Dominion bid but he is a classy pacer who won the Group 1 Len Smith Mile the last time he visited Sydney. That took his strike rate here to 50 per cent and he has yet to miss a place when fresh. Two trial wins suggest he is back in good order. MACH DA VINCI (10) draws deepest but came from this barrier when scoring here last month and only missed by a neck as runner up last week. Must rate highly. BONDI LOCKDOWN (9) has been freshened since the last outing but he races well that way and has been kept up to the mark with a trial. Good enough to make an impact from the wide barrier. JAY OK (5) strikes at 50 per cent when fresh so is worth keeping safe.

Race 7: IRT HORSE TRANSPORT TROTTERS MOBILE

Manners let Constantinople (7) down when he returned from a let-up last start, his first defeat in six attempts at this circuit. He'll be fitter for it and drops to a distance where he is two from two so is worth another chance. MAJESTIC TRIO (8) kept her manners in check last time and it culminated in a 1.3m win at this circuit. Building impressive records both here and at this shorter distance and she has won third-up before so can go on with it. FUNKY MONKEY (10) was good when returning from a let-up last time, chasing Majestic Trio for second. She draws wider but should have come on. VICTREE HILL (5) is working towards a win having missed by just a nose last week. Could peak third up.

Race 8: ACCESS GROUP ENGINEERING SYSTEMS HVAC PACE

Fire Fox (10) cops a wide draw for his return but he looks nicely placed having taken on stronger company last campaign. Readied for this with a couple of nice trials so expect him to make an immediate impact. VANQUISH STRIDE (5) has come from the back row in his last two Victorian outings, including when runner up two back at Ballarat. Has a win and two placings from three attempts at this distance so can measure right up. DANGERZONE (3) hasn't been too far from the placings so far this campaign and he goes very well third-up with two wins and a placing from three attempts. Draws well so could be set to peak. PORT AU PRINCE (8) drew the back row and worked before fading out of the Tamworth Cup last start. Much of his form has been in tougher company so he can do better at this level.

BEST BETS:

Race 5 #6 Dont Stop Dreaming – very good against the topliners last week and suited against his own age group.

Race 6 #8 Rock N Roll Doo – has the class edge and has been trialling strongly.


Racing and Sports

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