3 minute read
Nullarbor-bound pacer Hot And Treacherous and his talented stablemate Nerano will do battle in a high quality clash at Menangle on Saturday night.
The Jason Grimson-trained pair head the market for the Thirlmere Wholesale Nursery Pace, one of the more intriguing races on the program.
Hot And Treacherous has already snared a slot in the rich Nullarbor in Perth and is building beautifully for that race with back-to-back wins at this circuit.
He came from the widest draw in a six-horse field to score by 2m a fortnight ago so has the gate speed to get across from the wide barrier.
Expect him to find a prominent spot and that will give him every chance to land the hat trick.
Nerano will be improved by his good third when resuming in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith where he drew the back row and did some work but stuck on.
That was his first outing since the Inter Dominion series where he won two heats before a fifth in the final. He strikes at 50 per cent when second up so can threaten.
Fire Fox came from this same draw when third to Hot And Treacherous last start, beaten less than 3m. He races well at this shorter distance so can make an impact again.
Zeuss Bromac was solid when midfield in the Renshaw after a second at Menangle and is building in fitness while Whereyabinboppin has won five of seven fresh attempts so must be kept safe.
Smart mares Illavabubbles, Braeview Kelly and Manhattan will continue their preparations for next month's Queen Elizabeth II Mile when they clash again in the Belle Lifestyle Homes Ladyship Pace.
Illavabubbles bounced back to winning form when overcoming the extreme outside barrier last start, her sixth success in seven starts at Menangle.
The lone defeat was when third behind Manhattan and Braeview Kelly two starts back but she came from a wide draw on that occasion. This much more favourable barrier gives her the chance to turn the tables.
Braeview Kelly has been racing well with placings in all three starts this time in, the last two from this same barrier. She is building in fitness so could be ready to deliver.
Manhattan came from this barrier and beat the top two selections when kicking off for the Jack Trainor yard with a win at this circuit and distance. Had strong form in Group races in NZ before that and could strike again.
Its Ebonynivory must be respected after coming from a wide barrier in beating the boys to score here last start.
Smart filly Millwood Bliss can continue her build-up to the NSW Oaks when she lines up in the Golden Easter Egg.
She showed her class when she came from the widest draw for a winning return by almost 3m at her latest appearance in the G3 Raith Memorial at this circuit and distance.
That was her first outing since ending the last campaign with a G1 placing in the Breeders Crown Final and she is two from two when second-up so can go on with the job.
