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With the Carnival of Miracles just around the corner some big name horses will be tuning up for the upcoming features when they step out at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

The NSW Derby hopefuls will do battle in the RC Simpson Memorial while the open classers will have a Miracle Mile tilt in mind when they line up in the MacArthur FC Pace.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday February 17:

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES PACE

FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (5) switched to the Grimson yard after back-to-back Brisbane wins and was impressive when he ventured south for a G2 win in the 4YO Bonanza at Melton last start, coming from the back row and steaming home. That was his first outing for eight weeks so he should strip fitter. Take beating. MAJOR MAJOR (1) has been freshened since his last outing when he worked three deep without cover but fought on for third. Had won three in a row at this circuit before that and gets every chance from the ace draw. BROOKLYN BRIDGE (3) resumes having ended last campaign with back-to-back wins here. Races well fresh and was readied with a trial. Contender from a low draw. LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (2) was rewarded for his recent consistency when scoring last week by 2.4 metres. He is drawn to be competitive again.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

MISTER ROBIN HOOD (2) chased a G1 winner home when a resuming second in this grade two back then atoned with a 5.7m win last time when he found the front from a wider barrier. Progressive and is building in fitness. Drawn to go close. LOUS DREAM (7) will find this easier than the last attempt when tackling the G2 Bonanza at Melton. He is much better placed having kicked off for the Grimson yard with a win here two back, leading from this same draw and fighting on well. Big chance. DANGEROUS (11) is another dropping in class having taken on the best of his age group in his last two outings. He had kicked off the campaign with a Melton win three back and while drawn wide he will enjoy this company. NEPTUNE (8) has been freshened since the last-start failure but had put together a string of wins here before that so can measure up with his best.

Race 3: TAB WE'RE ON PACE

Former Queenslander HOT AND TREACHEROUS (9) has joined the Jason Grimson yard since he was last seen in the Inter Dominion series in Brisbane in December. He races well fresh and a trial win at this circuit suggests he is ready to kick off in Sydney with a win. MAGICIAN (8) has been taking on strong company and producing some good efforts, finishing runner up three back and finishing only 1.7m away last time. He draws wider but this suits. MANILA PLAYBOY (10) didn't miss by much when placed in Brisbane last start and was fourth behind Leap To Fame two back. He can measure up. THE CROUPIER (4) could get into the finish of a race like this.

Race 4: WESTS TIGERS PACE

BETTER BE THE BEST (7) was below his usual level when resuming last week but that was against stronger company in the G3 Hondo Grattan. He has won three of four second-up attempts and his record at this circuit and distance is strong so expecting much better in this grade. GOLDEN BAY (8) switched from Queensland and made a dominant start for the Jason Grimson yard when he led and drew right away to spank his rivals by 15m at this circuit. Takes on tougher rivals but he is progressive. DON HUGO (2) came from a wider draw and finished runner-up when resuming at Newcastle eight days ago. He'll be fitter for that and his form at this circuit before the spell was strong. LITTLE LOUIE (1) will find this easier than his last attempt in a G2 at Melton and the prior form in Victoria was consistent. Gets every chance from the ace draw.

Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE R C SIMPSON MEMORIAL

RAVISHING SLOY (10) was flying at the end of his last campaign, winning four of his last five starts including a dominant victory in the NSW Breeders Challenge Eastern Region 2CG Final when last seen here in December. Draws wide but is unbeaten fresh and will be ready to go off a trial. SERGEANT LOU (2) is a progressive Victorian who is two for two this time, last start leading to land the Caduceus Classic at Melton by 1.7m. He can take advantage of the draw and prove hard to catch. IN EXCESS (9) is a newcomer to the Graham yard from NZ and brings some decent form including a Cambridge win two back. Can measure up. MR BONDI (7) takes a step up in grade but must be respected after winning both starts since crossing from NZ.

Race 6: MACARTHUR FC PACE

TAIPO (8) returns to Sydney off a brave effort in the G1 Hunter Cup at Melton when fifth to Leap To Fame. He draws wider but was a good winner here two back and strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance. Strong claims in a highly competitive line-up. BETTERZIPPIT (5) resumes off an aborted Inter Dominion bid but he races very well at this circuit, winning three of five attempts. Has trialled and can win with his A-game. ROCK N ROLL DOO (7) draws a couple of spots lower than last week and he flies second-up, winning five of six attempts. Improvement is likely. SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (10) is another returning off a solid effort in the Hunter Cup and he is good enough to overcome the wide draw. Hard to knock the form of last-start winner LINE UP (3) and he draws to be competitive again.

Race 7: COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE

ARDENS ACE (1) has the hoof on the till having finished runner up in his last three starts at this circuit, twice being edged out by narrow margins before coming from wider to finish 2.4m away last week. The ace draw gives him every chance to break through. IM IN TROUBLE (2) hasn't been far away from the placegetters in two starts since a win at Penrith. Led and stuck on here last week so should be prominent from the low draw. DANGERZONE (6) draws wider than when he placed last week but that effort put the writing on the wall and he should be close to his peak. MAJOR PERRY (8) returns from a stint in WA. Draws wide but has trialled nicely and he has a win and a placing in two attempts at this circuit.

Race 8: NATIONALTROTGUIDE.COM.AU LADYSHIP PACE

Group 1 winner BRAEVIEW KELLY (11) returns having scored a win against the boys in her last outing at this circuit in December. She draws widest but she is a classy mare who strikes at 50 per cent when fresh and has been readied with a trial. ILLAVABUBBLES (6) faces a tougher test tonight but she has been powering through her grades, winning by big margins in her three starts at this circuit since switching from Brisbane. Hard to knock and could well take the next step. PROMISELAND (4) wasn't far away when she placed first up at Cranbourne. She'll be fitter and draws closer to the pegs. The best form of POLLY PUT KETTLEON (8) would measure up.

Race 9: TINTIN IN AMERICA @ WINGATE FARM TROTTERS MOBILE

CONSTANTINOPLE (8) was back to his best last week when he kept his manners in check and dug deep for a narrow win, his sixth success in seven attempts at this circuit. Similar draw and must be rated highly again. FUNKY MONKEY (6) is close to a win after back-to-back seconds, last time getting within a nose of Constantinople. She draws inside that rival tonight so can turn the tables. SCRUFFY DOOLAN (7) was behind the top selections when midfield last week but he did a good job to win here two back so is worth another chance. TRAVEL BUG (2) draws much closer to the pegs tonight so looking for a better result.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #9 Hot And Treacherous – talented and can kick off the for the Grimson yard with a win.

Race 7 #1 Ardens Ace – his hoof is on the till and gets his chance from the ace draw.