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Boom pacer Extreme Sea will start a hot favourite despite a second row draw in the Regional Championship Final – Metropolitan, feature race at Menangle on Saturday night.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 18.

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS APP PACE

JILLIBY NITRO (2) has been good in his two starts since switching to Sydney, winning from a wider barrier two back and placing last week. The drop in distance suits as he has recorded three wins and a placing in four attempts over the journey here. Race fit and drawn to go close. I BREAK THE LINE (6) found winning form in his latest outing at Bathurst. Takes a step up in grade but he is capable so can make an impact. STRAVINSKY (9) had little luck when runner up here last week. Draws wide but is going well. LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (8) recorded his second win from his last three starts when leading last week. Draws deeper but has the speed to get across. DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (3) will enjoy a better draw and has claims off a win here three back.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

CLASSY OPERATOR (2) made it two wins from three starts since switching from New Zealand when he led and drew away to score by more than 11m at this circuit and distance last week. He can go forward again and back that up. SHEFFIELD SPARKY (4) produced a strong performance in this grade last week when a 2m second at this venue. He draws a few spots closer to the pegs so can make an impact again. LOUS DREAM (10) draws wide but is ticking along well with placings in three of his last four outings, beaten just a head as runner up last week. NICHOLAS CAGE (7) came from a similar draw and chased a handy one when runner up last time. Respect.

Race 3: WAGGA TRADESMAN ACCOUNTING - HORSE TAX SPECIALISTS PACE

OUR VINNIE (3) was drawn much wider last week so the effort to finish fourth had merit. Will enjoy the lower draw and the prior form was sound including a third here three back. This is a winnable assignment. SAGINAW (1) looks close to another win after back-to-back seconds, the latest here on Tuesday when beaten 3.2m after racing three wide without cover. Steps up in grade but is aided by the ace draw. IM IN TROUBLE (8) had enough speed to lead from this barrier last week and fought on for a 2.5m fourth. Go well again. BOOM (5) draws better than last week and placed at his previous two here so could be close to a win.

Race 4: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONSOLATION - METROPOLITAN

OURSOUTHERNSTAR (1) was runner up here three back and has had tough draws since so her efforts to finish midfield have had merit. She is much better served by the ace draw so has winning claims in an even field. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (10) led early in his heat last start but was shuffled back before boxing on for fifth. Had been racing well before that with a string of top-four finishes. Contender with even luck from the back line. MAGIC MATTEO (8) chased well to be beaten less than 6m in his heat last start. Draws deep but is proven at this circuit and distance. MAYOR OF ELWOOD (6) wasn't too far away in his heat and did a good job to score two back at Goulburn so is in the mix.

Race 5: TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL - METROPOLITAN (LISTED CLASSIC)

Boom pacer EXTREME SEA (11) was a class above in his heat when he sat parked early before taking over and drawing right away to spank his rivals by 25m. That was his first outing for more than five weeks after his impressive Riverina Championships win so he'll be better for it. Building a strong record and looks bound for much bigger things. Draws on the second row but doubt that's enough to stop him. MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (9) has led to win his last two at this circuit, dominating his heat to score by 4.5m. Draws for a nice trail and if the gaps come he should be in the finish. CORBIE STUMBLER (8) continued his consistent form when runner up to Extreme Sea last start. Has a big margin to turn around on that rival but he has the gate speed to work across into a prominent spot and has yet to miss a place here. TURBO TOMMY (4) came from this same draw and raced up to four wide when an upset winner in his heat. He is worth including in exotics.

Race 6: GARRARDS REAL REWARDS PACE

TAIPO (7) is ticking along nicely and should be close to peak fitness after placing in both starts since a spell, finishing second when resuming in the Merino Cup at Goulburn before a third here last week. He draws wider but has a good record at the mile so the distance drop suits. He can strike tonight. WHEREYABINBOPPIN (6) produced a big form turnaround when he hit his peak third up and scored a narrow win here last week. Draws a couple of spots lower and may be able to go on with the job now. SIMPLY SAM (1) steps up in grade but has been drawn much wider in his three starts since switching from NZ and is racing well, scoring two back and sitting parked for a 1.4m second last time. He can measure up from the ace draw. TAY TAY (5) has been struggling for her best form but has a good record at the mile so the distance drop can see her show more.

Race 7: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE

DARK TERROR (8) has been close to the placegetters in his last two starts, coming from a similar barrier in this grade last week when 3.2m off the winner. Ticking along well and this could be his chance to win another one. VINCENT VAN GONE (3) has had two outings this campaign without filling a placing but there was improvement in the latest outing. Owns a good strike rate here and draws well so could progress third up. LITTLE BLISS (10) draws wide but there was plenty to like about the latest effort when beaten less than 3m into third at this circuit. ROBBIE ROCKET (9) is another that cops a wider barrier but will be fitter for recent racing.

Race 8: SUCCESS STUD FOR SPELLING YOUR HORSES TROTTERS MOBILE

ROYAL DAN (9) kept his manners in check and was impressive last time, crossing to lead before drawing right away to score by close to 13m. That took his record at this circuit and distance to two wins and a placing from three attempts. Has the early speed to offset the wide barrier so can win again. MAJESTIC TRIO (8) kicked off her campaign with a G1 placing against her own sex before coming from a 20m handicap for fifth last week. Races well at this shorter distance and is proven third up so can progress. COURAGE STRIDE (6) resumes for a new yard. Should be ready to go off two solid trials and has yet to miss a place in five fresh attempts, winning three. ROGUE GENTLEMAN (5) made a winning start for the new yard when he came from a 30m handicap to score by 9.4m at this venue. This is stronger but he has upside.

BEST BETS:

Race 1 #2 Jilliby Nitro – Racing well from wider barriers so should relish the low draw.

Race 2 #2 Classy Operator – Dominant win last week and the good draw can see him back that up.