Racing and Sports Menangle Mail - April 20

19 April 2024

A quality line-up of mares will be chasing qualification for next month's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile when they tackle the G2 Sibelia Stakes, feature race at Menangle on Saturday night.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday April 20.

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES PACE

BLAZING HOME (3) - pictured - is close to another win having missed by just a head in the Wagga Cup last start to follow a string of top-four finishes at this circuit. Came from wider barriers in each of those outings so this lower draw gives him every chance to return to the winners' list. SUPER DUPER DUDE (5) kicked off in Australia with a second at this circuit then took advantage of the inside draw last week when he led to score by 7m. He draws wider but has plenty of upside. ALIBERTO (2) is a consistent gelding who drew much wider when edged out by a nose here last time so will enjoy this lower draw. MONTALBANO (9) draws deep but has claims off a win over Aliberto here two starts back.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

Hard to knock the form of DON LOU (9) who completed a winning hat trick at this circuit last week when he stepped up to this grade and worked forward to lead before scoring by 2.4m. He draws a couple of spots wider but is going well enough to overcome that. OUR VINNIE (3) hasn't been far away of late, coming from this same draw for a 4.8m third here last week. Finds a suitable assignment so expect him to be in the finish. ARDENS ACE (8) came from a similar draw to this when winning in this grade two back then tackled stronger company when fourth last week. This suits better. PAS GUARANTEE (10) finished last campaign with good country cup form, winning at Cowra and placing at Young. Has won four of six fresh attempts and was readied with two trials so keep safe. MAJOR PERRY (7) has been solid in his two outings since winning from this barrier. Respect.

Race 3: CARRINGTON WINNERS PACE

SIMPLY SAM (10) is a newcomer to the Morris yard from New Zealand where he was last seen when placed behind a couple of Group 1 winners at Alexandra Park in February. Draws out but has been readied with a couple of trials so can make an immediate impact. LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (5) was well fancied when stepping out for a new yard last week but only beat a couple home. Did start from the widest barrier there and draws lower so may be worth another chance. DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (6) hasn't been far away from the placings in recent outings, last time coming from wider for fourth in this same grade. In the mix. CHEVRON ART (7) has produced some solid efforts of late including a placing here two back while SAHARA SIROCCO (8) deserves respect off an improved showing as runner up last week.

Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL

OUR PRINCESS KENNEDY (4) returns to the city in winning form having come from a similar barrier for a 1.5m win at Newcastle. Things should pan out well for her from this draw so could go back-to-back. ULTRA BLISS (10) is close to a win having placed in three of his last four outings at Newcastle, the latest when he led but couldn't hold Our Princess Kennedy at bay. Draws wider but is going well enough to make an impact again. MARVELLOUS MAC (6) made it two wins from his last four starts when leading to score by 5.5m at Dubbo last week. He can play a role again. NIGHT TO REMEMBER (3) draws well and has put together a string of wins and placings so must be respected along with last-start winner LETTYS REASON (5).

Race 5: THE CORDINA GROUP LADYSHIP PACE

CARRERA SUNSET (6) is a progressive mare who is two from two at this circuit and distance since arriving from New Zealand. She takes on a stronger line-up but is race fit with upside so can continue to work through her grades. MARIA ALLEGONDA (2) is very consistent having placed in her five starts since winning here. Third in a higher-graded race last week and a low draw gives her every chance to return to the winners' list. MY MOONLITE DREAM (8) cops a tougher draw than in her Australian debut last week but that was a good effort for a 1.9m second and she is open to improvement. DIEING ART (3) was a beaten favourite when placed at Penrith last start but she did have to work. Owns a good strike rate and is aided by a lower draw. ARDENS DELIGHT (11) was solid when resuming from this barrier in a higher-graded race so could progress.

Race 6: SKY RACING SIBELIA STAKES (GROUP 3)

Kiwi mare AARDIES EXPRESS (10) is a newcomer to the Trainor yard and brings strong form from NZ including a G3 win two back at Alexandra Park. Draws wide but loves this distance, winning all three attempts. Has a strong fresh record so will be ready to go off two trials, winning the latest by a big space. Can make an immediate impact. MANHATTAN (3) is hard to knock having won her two starts at this circuit since crossing from NZ, coming from wider barriers each time. She is fit and must rate highly from this better draw. ILLAVABUBBLES (1) missed the placings for the first time since joining Grimson when midfield last time but has won six of her other seven attempts here. Drawn to get the favours so should be included. SOHO HISTORIA (8) is a smart mare from a strong yard. Won her lone attempt at this distance and will be ready to go off two trial wins so respect along with NOT TO BE DENIED (5) who claimed a couple of good scalps in her Riverina Championships win last start.

Race 7: PRYDE'S POWERPAK TROTTERS MOBILE

CONSTANTINOPLE (8) was let down by his manners when he broke as a hot favourite last week but he was flying before that including an easy win from a similar barrier two back to follow a G1 placing. He has won five of six attempts at this circuit so if on his best behaviour can get back on track. POWDERKEG (10) was impressive on his return from a spell here a fortnight ago, spanking his rivals by nearly 24m. He draws widest but races well second-up so could go on with it. FUNKY MONKEY (4) was fourth from a wider draw last week and placed from this barrier two back. In the mix along with VICTREE HILL (7) who continues to race well, placing from a similar draw last week.

Race 8: BREED YOUR MARE AT SUCCESS STUD PACE

NICHOLAS CAGE (5) has been out of the money in two outings since winning here but he was far from disgraced when beaten 7.5m last time and he has the speed to get across from this draw. This looks a suitable assignment so prepared to give him another chance. DARK TERROR (9) cops a wide draw but there was plenty to like about his effort last week when placed in a higher-graded race. With a touch of luck he can measure up to these. HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (8) resumes off some good form having last raced when runner up in the NSWBC Western Region 3CG Final at Bathurst in December. Draws wide but proven fresh and should be ready to go of three trials. MAJIC MOMENT (1) looks close to a win off back-to-back placings and is drawn to enjoy the favours. TITIAN RAIDER (4) was expected to do more when midfield last time but came from wide to score two back so is worth another chance.

BEST BETS:

Race 1 #3 Blazing Home - Racing well and a better draw can see him strike.

Race 3 #10 Simply Sam - Brings good form from NZ and finds a winnable assignment first up.

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