Harness
Tabcorp Park Menangle Preview & Best Bets – Saturday, November 22
Trainer Jason Grimson could be set for a big night at Menangle on Saturday with each of his three entries - Our Sweet Delight, Hi Manameisjeff and Itoje – an odds-on favourite in early betting.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday November 22
Race 1: TAB WE'RE ON PACE
OUR SWEET DELIGHT (2) relished the drop in grade from the Victoria Derby and a return to Sydney with a win over this distance last time out, coming from a wider barrier to score by 2.2m. That stretched his unbeaten run at this circuit to four and he has the gate speed to take full advantage of the low draw. DOUBLE FEAR (3) has been racing consistently, adding to a series of top-four finishes with a placing last week. Draws to be competitive again. DOUBLE ACT (8) should find this easier than the last attempt and while he draws wide he did a good job for a win at this circuit and distance two back. MONTALBANO (6) has claims off a placing from a similar draw to this two back.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
FOR ALWAYS ARDEN (1) was far from disgraced last week when he drew out and raced three wide but only went under by 5.6m. Led from this draw and gave a sight when fourth here two back so is worth another chance. BUSINESS IN HEAVEN (8) is finding it tough to break through but continues to race well with a series of close-up efforts here, placing in his last two outings. Draws deeper but only went under by 2m over this distance last week. LETS TURN IT ON (5) has worked his way back into winning form, coming from a similar draw to score by 4.5m at this circuit and distance last week. Steps up in grade but could go on with it now that he has broken through. LIGHT ME UP (6) is an interesting newcomer to the Kerryann Morris yard from New Zealand. Readied with a trial and won his lone attempt at this distance so keep safe. DOUGS FLAME (7) was knocked out of the race last time but was Listed placed from a similar draw prior and won his previous two so deserves another chance.
Race 3: WOODLANDS STUD STALLIONS - THE MARKET LEADER FFA
HI MANAMEISJEFF (11) was below market expectations last time but had been going very well with a string of top-two finishes prior including a brave second in the Victoria Cup where he split the subsequent NZ Cup quinella of Kingman and Leap To Fame. Emergency here but if he gains a start and performs to that level he'll be hard to stop up to a distance where he is unbeaten. HELLUVA (8) was impressive at this circuit and distance last week when came from a similar draw and worked to the front before strolling away to cruise home by close to 15m. This is stronger but he is in good shape and could go back to back. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (5) didn't have a lot go his way during his Victorian visit but he'll enjoy the return to this circuit as the form here prior had been consistent, last seen when fourth at Listed level. Three-time winner at this distance and draws well. BAINBRIDGE (10) and UNFAZED (9) are both going well enough to be competitive with even luck from their wide draws.
Race 4: WOODLANDS STUD STALLIONS - THE MARKET LEADER FFA
Former Kiwi ITOJE (6) made an impressive start for Jason Grimson when he led to score by close to 3m at this circuit. Draws wider but that was his first outing for 10 months and it should have improved him. Can go through his grades. HES A MEISTER (4) has produced some strong efforts when contesting the mile at this circuit, missing by just a nose last week and winning at Listed level three back. Expect him to make an impact again. MYNAMESEVAN (3) won at Goulburn three back and has been beaten less than 2m when placed in two subsequent starts here. All of those were from wider barriers than this and he is yet to miss a place at this distance. WEONA MISS MIKI (5) disappointed last start but her Breeders Challenge form prior was strong so she deserves another chance. GUILTY PARTY (7) draws wider than in recent outings but won the last time he raced in this grade.
Race 5: ULTRA AIR LADYSHIP PACE
NAMAKA (7) looks nicely placed against her own sex having placed when tackling the boys in a higher-graded race last start. Kept fresh since but came from a similar barrier to this when winning a Breeders Challenge heat at this circuit and distance last month. FEAR THE PAIN (3) made it two wins at this circuit and distance from her last three starts when digging deep last week. Draws a couple of spots closer to the pegs so is a chance to back that up. NO DRAMAS (5) came from a similar draw when fourth at Listed level last week and should be hitting peak fitness now. CHEEKY KISS (6) was just behind Cheeky Kiss last week and is proven at this venue and distance. CRUNCHIE DIVA (2) faces a tougher test tonight but she is progressive and draws well.
Race 6: SUCCESS STUD YEARLING PREP PACE
Looks the right race for TENACIOUSLY (4). She was good here last week when she came from the same draw to be beaten only 4m. This looks easier and she is a two-time winner at this shorter distance so can break through. There was merit in the latest effort of MR TEDDY (2) when he came from a wider barrier to go under by 3.6m. That was his third placing from his last four starts and he draws well. ITZMINEONTHELINE (5) wasn't too far from the placegetters here last week and had come from similar draws to this for top-two finishes in his previous three outings at Bathurst. ALTA SIERRA (6) overcame a back row draw for a winning return at Penrith. Has won two of three second-up attempts so could go on with it. RIVERA LOU (1) was runner-up from a wide barrier here last week and draws to be competitive.
Race 7: CORDINA FOOD CO TROTTERS MOBILE
PESCO POLLO (8) is powering through his grades this time in, winning for the sixth time from his last seven starts when he led and kept going to score by close to 6m here last week. Draws wider but won the only time he attempted this longer distance and has built an impressive strike rate here. SPEEDY LOVER (9) is another drawn deep but has been racing consistently from similar barriers this time in. Broke when fifth to Pesco Pollo last week so if he can get it right could challenge. THEBESTBOURBON (3) gets her best draw for some time and could measure up with her A-game. SUNNY GEE (7) can be tough to follow but this is the sort of race where he could bob up.
Race 8: IRT PACE
DANGEROUS THREATS (2) has been freshened since his last appearance in the Breeders Challenge series and will find this a much more suitable assignment. Led and stuck on to place in this grade two back at Penrith so has the speed to take advantage of this low draw. It's been a long time between wins for FIRE FOX (6) but he'll relish this drop in grade and has produced some decent efforts of late including a second from the back row at Penrith last month. This is winnable. SHEFFIELD SPARKY (8) may need some luck from the wide draw but is another that is better placed in this company. VAN BASTEN (5) draws better than last start and is capable of more than we have seen of late while HAS THE COURAGE (7) showed improvement last time and could be ready to hit his peak.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #2 Our Sweet Delight – From this draw should be maintaining his unbeaten Menangle record.
Race 6 #4 Tenaciously – Ticking along well and finds the right race.
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