Harness
Tabcorp Park Menangle Preview & Best Bets – Saturday, 21st June 2025
A good draw gives Captains Knock his chance to return to the winners’ list for the first time since last year’s Inter Dominion series when he steps out second-up at Menangle on Saturday night.
Later Group 1-winning Kiwi trotter Bet N Win makes his Sydney debut when he tackles capable Victorian Harry Stamper.Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday June 21
Race 1: ULTRA AIR PACE
Smart Kiwi PINSEEKER (4) is a key runner at his Australian debut as he brings good form, placing in his last two outings at Addington. Hasn't raced for a month but is good enough to make an immediate impact. Former Victoria Cup winner ROCK N ROLL DOO (10) hinted that he has returned in good order having come from a similar draw for a resuming second at this circuit. He has an impressive second-up record with five wins and two placings from nine attempts so expect him to progress. OUR LUCIANO (5) made a strong return when beaten less than 2m into second last week. Yet to miss a place when second-up and his circuit and distance statistics are encouraging. BETTERTHANCASH (3) is another crossing from NZ where he was an Addington winner two back. Draws well so respect.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
FRANCO TYSON (3) has been racing well in higher-graded races, finishing midfield when held up last week but recording back-to-back placings here last month. Won at this circuit the last two times he raced in this lesser class so is well placed and can take full advantage of the low draw. FASHION ICON (10) came from this same barrier for an upset win here last start. That was his second success in four starts this time in so will be at peak fitness. MONTEFIORE (6) was held up late last week but had put together a string of wins or placings here prior. Contender. TOMAHAWK BART (9) draws deeper this week but his form reads well, placing last start and scoring a win over this shorter distance here three back. GUILTY PARTY (2) draws much better than last week and had been producing some decent efforts prior so include.
Race 3: WOODLANDS STUD SHUTTLING THE WORLD'S GREATEST STALLIONS PACE
Former Kiwi MIRACULOUS (2) made an immediate impact for new trainer Jason Grimson when he came from wider to win his local debut here a fortnight ago. Has won two of three attempts at this shorter distance and draws to advantage. DOUBLE ACT (1) made it two wins from his last three starts at this circuit when he led from this barrier and fought well to get home narrowly on Tuesday. He can give a sight again. SOHO SPECTRE (4) draws lower than last time and owns a good record at this short distance. His best form measures right up. MIKI PINS (8) pulled up lame last start but won here prior so is worth another chance despite a wide draw. OOGA CHAKA (5) has claims off a win from this draw three back.
Race 4: ESTABLISHED IN 1967 SUCCESS STUD LADYSHIP PACE
PANDAIA (11) will have to overcome the outside barrier but she is a handy mare who will find this easier than the last attempt. Beat the boys here two back and won a G3 here earlier in the campaign so is good enough with even luck. EVER ART (9) finished in front of Pandaia last time, albeit from a lower draw. She came from tonight's barrier for second after racing wide two back and won over this distance here prior. ONYX SHARD (1) is an interesting newcomer to the Grimson yard from New Zealand where she has been racing in lower-graded races but she gets the ace draw. RENEWAL (10) showed some improvement when only beaten 4.4m from a similar barrier last week. BELLA DANZA (5) has been going well and is in the mix.
CAPTAINS KNOCK (3) made an encouraging return when he came from wider for third to topliner Don Hugo in last week's Golden Mile. That was his first outing for more than three months so it is sure to have improved him. Draws to push forward and this looks a winnable assignment. Wide draw for KINGMAKER (10) tonight but he is flying with back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance, the latest in the Listed JD Watts FFA. Has done nothing wrong so far this campaign so must be respected. MAX DELIGHT (6) is always reliable, adding to a long string of wins and placings when third from this draw to Kingmaker last start. Expect him to be in the finish again along with NYACK (8) who is in form, beating Kingmaker to win from this barrier two back and getting within a head of that rival last start.
Race 6: CORDINA CHICKEN FACTORY OUTLET 2YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION FINAL
Hard to go past GLADIATRIX (7) who is unbeaten after four starts at this circuit and distance, defeating all of these rivals in the process. Only got home by a head last time and draws deeper but came from wider than this to deliver easily prior. CEE CEE IN PARIS (5) managed an easy win in Gladiatrix's absence here two back then gave that rival a scare when pushing her to a head to last start. Draws a few spots wider but seems to be improving so it wouldn't shock to see her turn the tables. SUPERIOR STRIDE (2) has come from wider barriers to place in her last two starts. Can play a role again aided by the low draw. ALDEBARAN TUCKER (6) broke first up but will be fitter and showed enough at the maiden campaign to suggest she is in the mix with manners. ADELAIDE RED (3) has yet to miss the top-four and draws to be competitive again.
Race 7: AINSWORTH - AGTSLOTS.COM TROTTERS MOBILE
BET N WIN (5) is a talented Kiwi who makes his first appearance in Sydney but brings strong form from across the Tasman, last seen when winning the Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park. Has had seven weeks off since so could be a little shy of peak fitness but doesn't lack for class. HARRY STAMPER (6) is a reliable Victorian who heads north with a string of top-four finishes to his name. Came from a couple of spots wider to place in his last visit to this circuit last month and the only other time he raced here he won the NSW Derby. SPEEDY LOVER (11) broke last start but had put together a series of top-four finishes at this circuit and distance so include along with RAKERO BLAZE (7) who has been solid from wider draws at his last couple.
Race 8: HRNSW FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLD TROT NSW FINAL
LONDON TO A BRICK (4) rates as an absolute standout in this. He is a highly accomplished trotter who has won up to Group 1 level and is racing in good form with top-three finishes at his last seven starts here, winning three of them. Beaten favourite last week but was brave after working. He should prove a class above these. MALIBUU (2) was midfield from a standing start last time and may enjoy getting back behind a mobile having won from a wider draw than this here two back. ALPHA STRIDE (6) has trialled since bombing the start last time and did manage a win from a wide barrier here two back. LAST CLANSMAN (3) is next in line.
BEST BETS:
Race 2 #3 Franco Tyson – Will relish both a class drop and a low draw.
Race 5 #3 Captains Knock – Fitter second-up and gets the right draw tonight.
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