Harness
Tabcorp Park Menangle Preview & Best Bets – Saturday, May 31
Last-start winners Kingmaker and Nyack take on evergreen pacer Max Delight in a high-quality clash in the Listed JD Watts Free For All at Menangle on Saturday night.
Smart trotter London To A Brick will continue his build-up to an Inter Dominion bid when he returns to a mobile start later on the program.Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 31
Race 1: ULTRA AIR PACE
MIKI PINS (2) has worked his way back into peak form, putting the writing on the wall with back-to-back placings before digging deep to score at this circuit and distance last week. Enjoys a draw closer to the pegs tonight and that gives him the chance to deliver again. I BREAK THE LINE (1) took on a strong bunch last week but is better placed having won in this company prior. He gets the ace draw so is right in contention. DASHING (3) was back from a let-up when midfield from a wide barrier last time. Should be improved by that and is better drawn. FRANCO TYSON (9) cops a wide draw tonight but his form is strong so he deserves respect as does UBETCHA TIGERPIE (6) who draws a little better than last week and was a Melton winner two back.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
It's been 17 months since we last saw RIPP (4) at the races but he is a talented gelding and will be ready to go off three nice trials. He is a two-time fresh winner and owns a decent strike rate at the circuit and distance so could make a winning return. JORDY (2) hasn't raced for three-and-a-half months but his form last campaign was quite consistent. Yet to fire when fresh but his recent trial had merit. RAVISHING SLOY (6) was beaten only 1.3m from this draw last week and came from a wider barrier when he scored at this venue last month. TERRY (9) draws out but didn't miss by much when off a similar barrier last week. FIRE FOX (10) has been struggling to find his best of late but he is good enough with his A-game.
Race 3: SKY RACING PACE
MONTEFIORE (1) continued his good form when he came from wider to place behind a Group 1 winner last week and overcame an outside barrier when scoring here prior. Going well and should get every chance from the ace draw. NOVANTA RISING (3) was good through the Regional Championships, finishing runner-up to the exciting Glitter Aint Gold in both a heat and the final of the Western series before a fifth to that rival again from the back row in the State Final. Draws to play a role. RAGING SEA (4) was held up late when less than 5m away here last week so could have finished closer. THE METAL FLYER (6) is up in grade but found winning form in his latest outing at this circuit and distance. VINKE B (10) draws wide but is going well enough to be competitive from there.
Race 4: NATIONALTROTGUIDE.COM.AU PACE
SKYLORD (1) made an encouraging return when runner-up over this distance two back then stepped up in both distance and grade last start. He is a two-time third-up winner so should be hitting his peak and the inside draw gives him the chance to deliver in this more suitable assignment. BAINBRIDGE (6) led from this draw and stuck on to place behind a Group performer last start at Wagga. He owns a good record at this circuit and distance so is a danger. UNFAZED (7) worked from a similar draw to win here two back before going under by just a head last week. Respect. DOM TORETTO (2) is better served by this draw having come from wider barriers of late, including when placed behind a progressive rival two back. COLLECT A DIME (4) was good in his first outing for the Rixon yard when beaten only 1.8m into second.
Race 5: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU JD WATTS FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)
KINGMAKER (7) is in terrific form, finishing runner-up in his first two starts after a spell before beating some smart rivals to win by close to 5m over this distance here last week. Gets the same draw again and will be at his peak so is a big chance to go back-to-back. MAX DELIGHT (5) produced his usual brave performance when he drew deep and raced wide but kept giving for third to Kingmaker last week, adding to a string of wins and placings. Evergreen pacer who draws lower so gets the chance to turn the tables. NYACK (9) beat Kingmaker to score by 3.6m from a similar barrier here last start. He is building a strong record at this distance so could do it again. NO HEART THROB (3) added to a string of top-two finishes when leading from wider to score last week. This is stronger but he draws to be competitive. JAY OK (1) has been solid from wider barriers of late so is worth including.
Race 6: THE CORDINA GROUP PACE
TOMAHAWK BART (3) went into the Regional Championships on a winning note and was consistent through the series, finishing runner-up in both rounds of the metropolitan series before a solid fourth in last week's final where he pushed forward from this barrier and stuck on. Chased some handy rivals in that series and finds a winnable assignment. LOCHINVAR JAG (2) returns from Brisbane where his form has been strong, winning his last two outings at Albion Park. Led in both of those so should be prominent again from this draw. Could land the hat trick. TARDELLI (5) draws better than he did in the metropolitan final and was first up for 18 months when placed in the heats prior. His fitness is building and he goes well at this shorter distance. RAKADEAKS (7) jumps in grade but his two starts here since crossing from New Zealand have been good and he has some upside. ARNIES ARMY (4) hasn't been too far away of late so is worth including.
Race 7: FOR A REASON STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM LADYSHIP PACE
EVER ART (9) was tough here last start when she pushed to the front and kept going to score by 1.5m. She draws wider but her main rivals start from out here too. Can go on with it with even luck. MARIA ALLEGONDA (10) came from a similar draw to this when she chased Ever Art home as runner-up last start. Has enough speed to push forward having led to win at this circuit and distance last month. Major player. BELLA DANZA (8) placed behind the top-two from this same draw last start having added to a good record at the venue and distance when beating a subsequent winner to score here prior. Contender. TWILIGHT HEAVEN (3) continued her good form when placed from wider last week. Draws to be competitive. CARRERA SUNSET (7) has worked her way back into winning form and could go on with it.
LONDON TO A BRICK (9) came from similar draws to this for back-to-back wins at this circuit then started from a 20m handicap and loomed to win before settling for second last time. That was his first hitout for four weeks so he should be better for it. Can return to the winners' list. CONSTANTINOPLE (8) was solid in fifth from the 20m mark last start but expect him to enjoy the return to the mobile start having finished within a head of London To A Brick prior. HANOVER DA MOON (5) was midfield last time but had been racing consistently prior so is capable of getting into the finish. VALTINO (10) broke first up but was one of the leading three-year-olds last season, winning the Breeders Crown. Could measure up with manners. TORO STRIDE (7) owns a good second-up record so looking for improvement.
Race 9: AGNES BANKS DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PACE
Talented and reliable filly SUGAR PIE HONEY (9) cops a wide draw but her form is first class, last seen when third in the NSW Oaks. Had come from this barrier to place in her previous two outings here including the Golden Easter Egg. Good enough to overcome the barrier and beat these. SAMKERR (8) is a newcomer to the Rattray yard and brings good form, winning three of her last five including her latest outing from a second row barrier at Melton. Draws wide but has upside. CRUSADER MISS (4) drew deeper against the boys last week but had won her previous two and is better off against the fillies. OUR SPECIAL MEMORY (5) draws lower than when midfield in an Oaks heat last start.
BEST BETS:
Race 3 #1 Montefiore – Has been coming from wider barriers so will relish the ace draw.
Race 4 #1 Skylord – Better placed and should be ready to peak aided by the inside barrier.
Check out the latest Singapore News