3 minute read

A Captain's challenge is on the cards as Captain Hammerhead and Sure Thing Captain battle it out in Saturday night's Racenet Discovery Stakes.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday August 31

RACE 1 : CORDINA FOOD CO PACE

MY ULTIMATE SNOWY (7) scored as the favourite over 1609m at this track last start after racing three-wide over the early stages, then finding the lead. Looks well placed in this line-up to go back-to-back. MAJOR MAJOR (9) is back from a break of five months and should strip fit enough having had the benefit of a recent trial run. Has a tough draw to overcome but in a fresh state is well worth considering. UNFAZED (10) finished second of 10 here last start after racing well back in the running over the early stages. Has won all of his 13 career wins here and has solid each-way claims. ZAMBIA (3) fought on well for third here last and is a must-include in exotic bets.

RACE 2 : RACENET DISCOVERY STAKES

SURE THING CAPTAIN (3) was sent out as the hot favourite last time out and scored an easy win when leading all of the way. over 2138m at Albion Park. From his good draw should find the front again today and prove hard to peg back. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (5) Group 1 placegetter. Is racing very well, winning five of his past seven starts, most recently scoring at Melton over 2240m by 17 metres. Strong chance again. WISPER A SECRET (11) is looking to improve on his last-start fourth of 12 in a Group 3 event Group over 2138m at Albion Park when sent out as the hot favourite. He raced three wide over the early stages and then found the lead but was outrun over the final stages. Has had one previous start here for a win and can atone. NYACK (6) came from six back on the fence to run second of seven over 2090m last start and has place claims.

RACE 3 : BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

ULTIMATE BIRD (10) finished third of 10 when trying to lead all of the way over 1609m at this track last start when sent out as the favourite. He is racing in strong form and with luck in the running should be fighting out the finish. OUTSIDE FIGHTER (6) has won his last three starts, including last time out over 2300m at this track after trailing the leader for most of the trip. Has to be respected on recent efforts. DE GOEY (9) finished seventh of 10 over 1609m at this track last start when well supported. He is better than that run would suggest and should be given another chance. BARTELLO (5) came home well to score here last start after racing seven back on the fence for most of the trip over 2300m. Has solid each-way claims.

RACE 4 : BE HAPPY MACH @ WINGATE FARM PACE

SKITTLE BOMB (2) did well to score by a head over 1740m at Riverina Paceway last start after racing three wide early before finding the lead. From his handy draw should be figuring in the finish. DONEGAL LUTHER (10) resumes from a spell following a last start second of 10 over 2300m at this track after leading early and then taking up a trailing position. Rates well as a\n each-way chance. MAEBEE (4) in what was his first run at this track came from six back on the fence with 400m to run to finish a game second of seven last start over 2300m when well supported. LOCHINVAR JAG (11) showed good gate speed last start to find the early lead before taking up a trailing position then fought on well to score as the favourite over 2030m at Newcastle last start. Has place claims.

RACE 5 : VALE PETER PLUMMER

MAGICIAN (10) after racing three wide over the early stages found the lead and went on to score over 2200m at Launceston last start when sent out as the hot favourite. Has a tough draw to overcome but having won six of his last seven starts should go close to recording another victory. CYA ART (7) won as the favourite by a head at this track over 2300m last start after leading early and then taking up a trailing position over 2300m. Looks well placed in this line-up to go back-to-back. JILLIBY NITRO (4) finished second of seven here last start when having to race outside the leader for most of the trip. From his good draw should be finishing in the money once again. SPEAK THE TRUTH (11) resumes from a spell and having won fresh-up last prep is well worth considering.

RACE 6 : BREED YOUR MARE AT SUCCESS STUD PACE

CLASSIE WASHINGTON (4) improved on recent runs when scoring an all of the way win as the favourite last start by 6 metres over 2138m at Albion Park. Has drawn well and should be fighting out the finish. LOYALIST (11) came home well to finish third of 10 last start at this track over 1609m when well supported. He has a good record at this track and can add to it here. MACH DA VINCI (10) finished fourth of seven here last start over 1609m after racing three back on the pegs for most of the trip. He finds the right field here to return to form. PERFECT STRIDE (8) battled on okay when finishing fourth of 12 over 2240m at Melton last start when sent out at long odds. Has place prospects.

RACE 7 : D M PLUMBING LADYSHIP PACE

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (3) after getting caught wide over the early running found the lead and went on to score at Albion Park over 2138m last start when sent out as the favourite. Having her first run here and from a good draw should find the lead and prove hard to catch. MY MOONLITE DREAM (10) won here two starts back as the hot favourite when leading all of the way and then finished a game second of eight over 2300m here last start after leading early and then taking up a trailing position. Has a tough draw to overcome but she is in good form and is well worth a second look. MINI MINE YET (2) is a lot better than her last-start run when finishing seventh of nine over 1609m at this track would suggest. She placed in her three previous runs and from an inside draw looks well placed to return to form. LITTLE BLISS (11) finished fifth of eight here last start over 2300m after racing six back on the fence for most of the trip. On her best form can finish in the money.

RACE 8 : AGTSLOTS.COM TROTTERS DISCRETIONARY HANDICAP

IS THAT A BID (11) was sent out as the hot favourite last start 2138m at Albion Park and went a bold race to finish second of seven after having to race outside the leader for the entire trip. Having his first run here and with luck in the running should give a good account of himself. SUPER SERVICE (12) lead all of the way to score as the favourite here two starts back and then finished fifth of eight here last start over 1609m after leading early and then trailing. Looks ideally placed in this line-up to return to form. SPEEDY LOVER (2) deserves a winning turn after having placed in all of his last seven starts, including last time out when finishing second of 10 here over 1609m after having no luck in the running. Obvious inclusion in exotic bets. LEAF STRIDE (8) won here three starts back as the favourite and following a last start fourth of 10 over 1609m at this track is well worth an each-way ticket.

BEST BETS:

RACE 2 #3 SURE THING CAPTAIN - can get the prize in a hot contest.

RACE 5 #10 MAGICIAN - big chance to chalk-up the hat-trick