3 minute read
Top-class fillies and mares from Australia and New Zealand will chase big prizemoney on Ladies Night at Menangle on Saturday.
The quality program features four Group 1 races for the females across both the pacing and trotting disciplines, headlined by the Queen Elizabeth II Mile.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 4.
Race 1: ROSEMARY ATFIELD MEMORIAL
PORT AU PRINCE (5) has been very consistent with a string of top-four finishes and put the writing on the wall when beaten less than 2m in a higher-graded race here last week. Draws wider but a win looks imminent. TUPPENCE (1) was far from disgraced when midfield from a wider barrier last week. He'll relish this draw having come from here when placed two back at this circuit. Strong claims. CHEVRON ART (2) has been coming from wider barriers of late and there was merit in the latest effort when placed at Newcastle. Can be competitive from the low draw. GLIDING AWAY (4) wasn't far away last time and can play a role again.
Race 2: MCGRATH FOUNDATION PACE
SIMPLY SAM (6) delivered at his second Australian start when he showed early speed from a wider barrier before getting home narrowly at this circuit and distance. Has won third-up before so is likely to have progressed further. Can go on with it. DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (4) returned to winning form when he dug deep to score at this venue last week, getting home by just a neck. Leading hope in a suitable race. MAHOMES (3) resumes following a spell of eight months but comes to hand very quickly with three wins and two placings from five first-up appearances. Has the benefit of a good draw and should be ready to go off three trials. OUR VINNIE (8) draws wide but hasn't been far away of late and his best form measures up.
Race 3: SKY RACING TANYIA HARRIS OAM LADY DRIVERS INVITATIONAL
KINGMAN (10) made it two from two this campaign when he visited this circuit for the first time and delivered a 1.3m win last week. That saw him unbeaten at this distance and while he draws wide he should be at his peak and has the class and the early speed to overcome the barrier. CLASSY OPERATOR (12) made an immediate impact at his Australian debut when leading to score easily by close to 10m at Penrith. Draws wide and steps up in grade but has plenty of upside. ITZMINEONTHELINE (6) took on a higher-graded race last start but had won three in a row before that so can bounce back dropping in class. HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (1) came from a wide barrier to place when fresh. Races well second up so can progress from the ace draw.
Race 4: STRANGELOVE LADYSHIP PACE
Multiple Group 1 winner MAJOR DELIGHT (11) has been racing below her brilliant best so far this campaign having raced parked and faded to midfield in last week's G3 Robin Dundee but she'll relish a class drop. Went into that having won three of four attempts at the circuit and distance and will be race fit. If anywhere near her best she is good enough to come from a wide barrier and beat these. SOHO HISTORIA (10) showed early pace to lead when resuming in G3 Sibelia Stakes but couldn't keep it going. She is an accomplished mare who is a two-time second-up winner so should be improved. Big chance in this company. FIAMMA (8) drew widest when down the track in the Robin Dundee but was a fresh winner two back at Melton. Proven third-up so is worth another chance. DIEING ART (3) is a reliable mare who is drawn to play a role again while GIRL FROM ROSEDALE (7) is another coming back in grade and has claims off a win in her local debut two back.
Race 5: HARAS DES TROTTEURS NSW TROTTERS OAKS (GROUP 1)
KEAYANG ZAHARA (1) steps up to this company quickly but has been impressive in winning her two starts in Victoria by big margins. Has come from the back row each time, last start racing wide before finding the front and cruising home by 24m at Melton. Should enjoy a soft run from the ace draw so gets every chance to take the next step. NORDIC REIGN (3) ended last campaign with a G1 win in the Breeders Crown at Melton and was readied for this with a second when tackling the boys at this circuit. Won her lone second-up attempt so will be improved and draws well. CENTURION DREAM (2) will be fitter for the resuming second at this venue. She was G1 placed behind Nordic Reign last campaign. Another that is drawn to be in the action. MAORIS MAC (4) surged home to win the Nutrien Classic last start at Melton. She was only second-up there so could progress further. WE CAN HAVE IT ALL (6) was third in that race after kicking off the campaign with back-to-back wins. Respect.
Race 6: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS MACARTHUR MILE TROTTING MARES (GROUP 1)
QUEEN ELIDA (4) returns after two brave efforts to place against the boys in NZ, last time fighting strongly for third in the rich TAB Trot. She was beaten into a place behind race rival Im Ready Jet in her last attempt in Australia in a G1 for the mares but came from the back row on that occasion so is much better served by this draw. She is two from two at this circuit and distance and represents the class runner. Last season's Victoria Oaks winner SHES RUBY ROO (11) cops a wide draw but is on the up, making it back-to-back wins when beating the boys here last week. Contender with a touch of luck. IM READY JET (2) has had a tough draw and a big handicap in two starts since beating Queen Elida for a G1 win at Melton so can show her best from this favourable draw. FUNKY MONKEY (3) hasn't drawn this close to the pegs for a long time and returned to winning form in the Goulburn Cup last Sunday. Wouldn't surprise to see FUNNY FACE (1) feature from the ace draw.
Race 7: JOHN GIBSON MEMORIAL NSW OAKS (GROUP 1)
Brilliant Victorian VERY PRETTY (6) was a class above her rivals in last week's heat, leading from a wider barrier than this before drawing away to cruise home by 17.5m. That was her first attempt at this circuit and distance and it extended her unbeaten record to seven. She'll be at her peak third up and will be tough to stop. LUX AETERNA (8) found winning form with a dominant performance in the Nutrien Classic two back at Melton then stretched her unbeaten record at this circuit to six when leading throughout in last week's heat. Draws wider but is back in form and is the obvious danger. JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (9) was an eye catcher when closing strongly behind Lux Aeterna in her heat. She is lightly raced and has upside as does OUR ULTIMATE EBONY (7) who scored her fourth win from just six starts when beating Lux Aeterna in the Young Oaks. She is a trifecta player.
Race 8: PRYDE'S EASIFEED QUEEN ELIZABETH II MILE (GROUP 1)
AARDIES EXPRESS (11) made a brilliant start in Australia when she drew wide and worked before scoring a G3 win in the Sibelia Stakes at this circuit. That took her record at this distance to four from four and she has won two of three second-up attempts. She'll likely to have to work again from another wide draw but she is a talent. Brilliant mare LADIES IN RED (2) will be extremely hard to beat from the low barrier after drawing wide and working but proving a class above last start at Melton. She is yet to win in two visits to this venue but has been the benchmark mare in recent seasons and is a big chance to add another G1 win to her impressive record. RAKERO REBEL (7) beat several of these with a late burst to win last week's G3 Robin Dundee. Draws wider but she is now two from two at this circuit and four from four at the distance so could be dangerous. EYE KEEP SMILING (8) is a reliable mare who has only gone under by narrow margins in both starts since the fresh win.
Race 9: FRAN FITZPATRICK CHERYL MCDOWELL PINK BONNET (GROUP 3)
MISS DISTURBIA (7) arrives in Sydney having won both of her starts in Adelaide, last time racing parked when beating the boys to take out the Kindergarten Final at Globe Derby by 6m. Takes a step up and draws wider but hails from a leading yard and must respect the decision to bring her here. NAMAKA (3) created a big impression on debut when she started a hot favourite and cruised home by more than 10m at this circuit and distance. Draws well and with natural improvement likely is a big chance to go back to back. SENSATIONALIZE (4) scored her second win from her last three starts when she proved too good at Newcastle last time and is yet to miss a place at this distance. PEACE OUT (1) has had some tough draws of late including when scoring from a wide barrier here two back so respect her from the pegs.
Race 10: SCHWEPPES NSW TROTTERS MOBILE
CONSTANTINOPLE (9) kept his manners in check and returned to the winners' list last time out, leading from a similar barrier and digging deep to score by a neck. That took his record at this circuit to 10 from 13 and he also owns a good strike rate at this shorter distance. Goes on top. TORO STRIDE (5) had been trialling well before resuming with a 3m second at this circuit and distance last week. Strikes at 50 per cent when second-up so expect he will have come on. Primary contender. ROYAL DAN (7) blew his chances with an early break last start but was racing well before that with a string of top-two finishes. Can measure right up with manners. SUNNY GEE (8) broke after the start last time but had put together a string of top-four finishes before that so is worth another chance.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #6 Simply Sam – Nice win last start and can progress further.
Race 8 #11 Aardies Express – Impressive first up and worth a bet at the price.
