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A string of placings since a spell and a good draw should see South Coast Arden ready to deliver in Allcott Hire J E Binskin Free For All at Menangle on Saturday.
The Binskin also sees the return to Sydney of the talented Loyalist and is the feature event of Saturday's eight-race program.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday February 3.
Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS TAXI TRUCK SERVICES PACE
Hard to knock the form of TALENT AGENT (1) who landed a fourth straight win here last time out, leading to take out the Christmas Gift Final by more than 10m at this circuit. Has had seven weeks off but was kept up to the mark with a trial and has the gate speed to take full advantage of the ace draw. SAGINAW (9) broke behind Talent Agent in that Christmas Gift Final but went into that off a win in the heats. Kept ticking over with a nice trial. Draws out but is capable. UNFAZED (11) draws deep but was brave in racing wide to win here four back and has placed twice since. Respect. KING TIGER (3) worked last time but draws closer to the pegs and has claims off a second here two back.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
NEPTUNE (1) has been freshened since fading out of the New Years Gift Final but was going very well before that with three successive wins at this circuit. Led from a couple of spots wider to score two back so can take full advantage of the ace draw and strikes at 50 per cent at this distance. STRAVINSKY (4) worked forward from a wider barrier to find the front before going on for an easy 8m win here a fortnight ago. Should push forward again from this draw. Big chance. DADNDAVE (3) made a good return after seven months on the sidelines to place here last week. Draws closer to the pegs and will strip fitter so can play a role again. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (5) had to race wide when a beaten favourite last time to follow a resuming win at Penrith. Owns a good record at this distance and races well when third up.
Race 3: THE HARNESS BREEDERS NSW ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT MARES PACE 2024
Former Kiwi YOUTAKEMYBREATHAWAY (1) went to Ballarat for her first outing for the Jason Grimson yard and performed well, racing parked but sticking on well to finish just over 2m from the winner as runner up. That was her first outing for six weeks so it should have improved her and she is drawn to enjoy the favours. POLLY PUT KETTLEON (8) has been freshened for seven weeks but has been kept up to the mark with a trial. Her recent form has been against the boys so can measure right up against her own sex. ITS EBONYNIVORY (9) looks to have returned in terrific order having kicked off her campaign with a win in the Adore Me Stakes. Draws wider and she doesn't tend to race as well second up but she is capable. SPORTY DANCER (10) got within 1.2m of Its Ebonynivory when runner up in the Adore Me. She too draws wide but will reaching peak fitness now.
Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL
REPARTEE (4) comes to town in terrific form having landed a winning hat trick at Newcastle. Spanked her rivals by 25m two back then came from this same draw when proving too strong last time. Big chance to add another win to the sequence. FLYING COLOURS (6) put together a string of seconds before breaking through in emphatic style last start, leading to cruise home by close to 18m at Wagga. He draws wider but the confidence will be high. BO DUKE (2) has yet to win in Australia but looks close to delivering off a string of top-four finishes, last time clocking in second at Bathurst. Gets every chance from a low draw. MAJOR HUSS (1) is racing well and was forced to work when placed last start at Goulburn. He should enjoy better favours from the ace draw.
Race 5: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE
LINE UP (4) has the hoof on the till having placed in all three starts this time and they have come against good opposition, last time racing parked but sticking on for third to Miracle Mile fancy Hi Manameisjeff. Owns a good record at this distance and will be nearing peak fitness. He looks very well placed so can break through. DANGERZONE (2) made an encouraging return from this same draw when less than 4m off the winner. He has won two of three second-up attempts so is open to improvement. ZEUSS BROMAC (8) has come from this same barrier in both starts this time in and his efforts to finish midfield have been sound. Races well third up so can show his best. MAJOR BOB (1) performed well to place from a wider barrier last start. The ace draw can see him competitive again.
Race 6: ALLCOTT HIRE J E BINSKIN FFA
SOUTH COAST ARDEN (2) is ticking along well with placings in all three starts this time in and looks ready to strike after a big effort last week when he drew wider and worked forward before going under by just a nose to the in form Hi Manameisjeff. Peaking now and is beautifully drawn so gets his chance. MACH DA VINCI (7) blew his chances when galloping out last week but the prior form was strong including a win from a wider barrier here two back. Deserves another chance. LOYALIST (10) did a good job to overcome a second row draw for a resuming win at Bathurst. Draws wide but he will be fitter and does have a touch of class. BOOM (1) was solid in this grade last week and has the gate speed to be prominent from the inside draw.
Race 7: SUCCESS STUD - SPELLING HORSE SERVICES PACE
RICKOSHAY (3) drew deep and had to race up to four wide last start so that result can be forgiven. He produced a strong effort for a 2.3m second here two starts back and is much better served by tonight's draw. TITIAN RAIDER (4) hasn't quite performed to market expectations in the last two outings but both times he came from wider draws. Starts from closer to the pegs tonight so is worth another chance. Wide draw for OUR UNCLE JIM (9) but he did a good job here two back when he came from a similar barrier and covered ground for a 1.4m second. He is a player off that. NICHOLAS CAGE (5) has come from wide gates in his two Australian starts so far. He draws a little better and is proven third up so can show more.
Race 8: GATORADE TROTTERS MOBILE
VICTREE HILL (4) resumed for a new stable last week and made an encouraging start when he drew wide but was beaten only 3m into fourth. He is a two-time second-up winner so should be improved and is better served by this draw closer to the pegs. KING OF LOVE (1) has been let down by manners in his last two outings but was racing well before that. He led to win two back so has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw. Winning chance if he gets it right. SCRUFFY DOOLAN (3) was beaten just a head into second the last time he raced here three back and has placed in both attempts in Brisbane since. He is drawn to play a role. TRAVEL BUG (7) heads north having taken on stronger company in the Ballarat and Bendigo cups in his last two outings. Can measure up. SUNNY GEE (6) draws wider than last week but must be respected off a string of placings.
BEST BETS:
Race 5 #4 Line Up – ticking along well and finds the right race.
Race 6 #2 South Coast Arden – hitting peak fitness now and gets a better draw.
