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Exciting pacer Extreme Sea looks to have another big payday in store when he goes around as a hot favourite in the State Final of the Regional Championship, the feature event at Menangle on Saturday night.

Last season's New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee also adds some star power to the meeting when he makes his first appearance since a placing in the Inter Dominion final.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 25.

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES PACE

BLUTO (6) is back from a let-up having shown good promise in winning his first two starts after arriving from NZ. Came from this barrier to score at his local debut here in March. Readied for his return with a trial win and could be bound for better things. NO HEART THROB (1) is hard to knock having won his first five starts at this circuit after crossing the Tasman before drawing deep and racing parked when third last time. Up in grade but he is race fit and the ace draw gives him every chance to return to winning form. JILLIBY NITRO (9) cops a wide draw but is racing well, placing in both outings since a second-up win at this circuit. STRAVINSKY (2) drew wide last start but is much better served by this barrier having finished runner up here two back.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

Last year's New Zealand Cup winner SWAYZEE (11) makes his first appearance of the season. Hasn't raced since he placed in the Inter Dominion Final in Brisbane last December but he usually races well fresh including three wins and was readied with a trial. He is two from two at this circuit and distance and has only once been beaten in six appearances here. He has the class to overcome the wide draw for a first-up win. Stablemate NERANO (10) has been freshened since a midfield finish from a tough draw in the Merino Cup at Goulburn. Had won his previous two outings here and strikes at 50 per cent at this distance. Could challenge. MAX DELIGHT (9) beat Nerano when winning the Renshaw Cup three back at Penrith and again beat that rival home in the last outing at Goulburn. Kept up to the mark with a trial since. Player. SIMPLY SAM (6) stepped up in grade and continued his good form when beaten a head last week. Draws wider but he is racing well.

Race 3: CORDINA CHICKEN FARMS PACE

CLASSY OPERATOR (10) made it back-to-back victories at this circuit and three from four in Australia when he led and toughed it out narrowly last week. The wide draw poses more of a challenge but he has more upside than many of these. LOUS DREAM (7) is ticking along well having recorded back-to-back placings before coming from the widest barrier when fourth to Classy Operator last week. Draws inside that rival tonight and beat him home three back so gets the chance to turn the tables. RAKADAN (5) came from this same draw when returning to winning form last start, his fifth success at this circuit from nine attempts. Must respect that statistic. RICKOSHAY (4) added to a string of placings when he came from a wider barrier for third here last week. Can be competitive again. HAIL LUCIUS (8) is a newcomer to the Morris yard having left NZ following a last-start win at Cambridge. He is one to keep an eye on.

Race 4: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND LADYSHIP PACE

TAY TAY (10) did a good job when she took on a handy line-up of boys here last week and was beaten only 2.5m. Draws wide but is suited against her own sex and has an encouraging record at this circuit and distance. She could show her best tonight. IM PRESI BELLE (9) was only 1.5m behind Tay Tay when she tackled the boys last start and had been taking on the good mares before that, tackling a Group 1 two back to follow a fourth at G2 level. She draws wide but is going well enough to make an impact in this line-up. HEAVENLY HOLLY (3) enjoys a better draw than what she had last week and possesses the speed to take advantage of it having led to score two back at Newcastle. ARDENS DELIGHT (6) hasn't been far from the placings in any of her starts this time in and is building in fitness.

Race 5:  TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONSOLATION - STATE

CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (9) kicked off his campaign with back-to-back wins at Newcastle before he was well in the market in the Hunter final and stuck on after leading for a 4m fourth. He is drawn for a trail and if the gaps come is a winning hope. CORBIE STUMBLER (10) chased star pacer Extreme Sea when runner up in a metropolitan heat two back before finishing midfield to that rival in last week's final when he came from a wide draw. Went into the series off a win at Wagga. Contender with even luck. VAN BASTEN (6) did a good job to come from the back row and finish fourth in the metropolitan final last week. A repeat of that performance would stack up well. HAS THE COURAGE (1) has been racing consistently from wide or second row barriers. The ace draw can see him competitive again.

Race 6: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL - STATE (LISTED CLASSIC)

Boom pacer EXTREME SEA (9) could not have been more impressive in last week's Metropolitan final at this circuit when he was also drawn on the back row but spanked his rivals in slick time. That was his sixth win from just nine starts and he is an exciting prospect who looks a class above these. Traffic problems appear the only risk to him winning again. THE CID (3) hit his peak third up when he came from the back line for a narrow win in the Hunter final at Newcastle. He is race fit now and the good draw can see him in the finish. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (10) has to make up 27m on Extreme Sea through last week's placing but did go into that off back-to-back wins here. HEAVENLY SIGN (2) is building in fitness and will appreciate the draw having come from tough barriers as runner up in the last two outings.

Race 7: ESTABLISHED IN 1967 SUCCESS STUD PACE

ON DEADLINE (11) returns to the city in fine form having recorded back-to-back wins at Bathurst. Beat an accomplished pacer to land the Lord Mayors Cup two back then delivered again as a hot favourite last week. Draws widest but is four from seven at this distance and is going well enough to overcome the barrier. OUR VINNIE (4) only beat one home when in the market last week but had been ticking along okay before that, coming from a wide barrier for fourth two back. He is worth another chance in this line-up. DONEGAL LUTHER (9) found winning form two back in the Diggers Cup at Parkes then gave the hot favourite a scare here last week, missing by just a nose. He draws wider but is going well. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (2) was solid enough in the regional championship series and is drawn to play a role.

Race 8: WARDS ACCOUNTING GROUP TROTTERS MOBILE

ROYAL DAN (5) has been impressive in winning by big margins in his last two outings at this circuit, leading from wider barriers each time. Takes on a stronger line-up tonight but has the gate speed to go forward again and with race fitness on his side is a big chance to land the hat trick. LONDON TO A BRICK (7) hasn't raced since breaking in the Victoria Derby last October but he was in fine form earlier in the season, winning five in a row including the G1 The Great Square in Brisbane. Readied with a nice trial and if anywhere near his best can make a winning return. CALIGULA (9) placed in both outings of last campaign and two trial wins suggest he has returned in good order. MAJESTIC TRIO (6) has ground to make up on Royal Dan through last week's placing but she is building in fitness. COURAGE STRIDE (8) has a fine fresh record and was readied with two nice trials so keep safe first up for the new yard.

Race 9: NATIONALTROTGUIDE.COM.AU PACE

DARK TERROR (9) draws wide again but has been racing well from similar barriers at this circuit, adding to a string of top-four finishes when beaten less than 3m into third last week. Has the hoof on the till and with even luck could land a well-deserved win. TITIAN RAIDER (7) was solid in a higher-graded race last week when he came from a similar barrier to this and clocked in fourth. He can play a role again at this level. ROBBIE ROCKET (3) is building in fitness and came from much wider when beaten 4.4m last week. Aided by a low draw and could be close to peaking. NICHOLAS CAGE (2) has been competitive of late and a lower draw can see him feature again.

BEST BETS:

Race 1 #6 Bluto – Has plenty of upside and will be ready to go off a trial win.

Race 4 #10 Tay Tay – Good effort last start and is well placed against her own sex.