Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS
An eye-catching last-start second should have talented pacer Miki Pins ready to return to the winners’ list at Menangle on Friday night.
The meeting also sees a handy line-up of mares doing battle in the Go Girlfriend Final.
Race 1: WOODLANDS STUD - WE SHUTTLE THE BEST STALLIONS PACE (HEAT 1)
NO HEART THROB (3) made an encouraging return when he came from the outside barrier to be beaten only 3.4m. He won his only previous second up attempt so will be improved and has won six of eight attempts at this circuit and distance. Should get every chance from the ace draw. VINKE B (4) worked when a beaten favourite last start but was going well prior, placing in three of his previous four outings here. Deserving of another chance. ISLAND BOUHINIA (1) made successful hit-and-run Queensland raid last start, winning nicely against the mares from a wide barrier at Albion Park. Narrowly beaten here two back to follow a Wagga win. Going well and draws to advantage. DANGEROUS THREATS (12) draws wide but goes well fresh and produced some strong form here last time in. Respect.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE (HEAT 2)
SUPA AMERICAN (9) led and kept going to score by 1.4m as a hot favourite at this circuit last time, giving him three wins from four starts since a spell including a G3 victory in the country. Steps up in grade on the last outing and draws wider but has more upside than most of these. SHEZ SWEET LOUISE (1) was far from disgraced from the wide barrier here last time. Strong effort to lead and win two back at Bathurst so can take advantage of the inside draw. DIAMOND ECLIPSE (3) chased well along the sprint lane to be beaten only 2.6m at Melton last start and draws to play a role. SWEETHEART BART (11) will enjoy the drop in grade after finishing midfield from this barrier in stronger company last week. JALANEEL (12) draws out but deserves respect having placed in both starts here since a win at Goulburn.
Race 3: BUBBA GUMP PEST CONTROL PACE (HEAT 3)
KAYSANS ROCK (3) is a newcomer to the Grimson yard from NZ where he won three of his last five outings, last seen when scoring at Ashburton in December. Unbeaten at this distance and will be ready to go off two trial wins at this circuit. The low draw gives him every chance to kick off on this side of the Tasman with a win. TIMMY RICTOR (9) hasn't raced for 15 months was one of Victoria's leading juveniles of his season, winning five of six starts including the G1 Breeders Crown Final. He too has joined Grimson since then and while second to Kaysans Rock in his latest trial he is unbeaten fresh and has class. MARIA ALLEGONDA (1) wasn't far away from a wider barrier against a good bunch of mares last week. Had placed in three of her previous four here and gets her chance from the ace draw. ALIBERTO (10) delivered as a hot favourite here last time and while drawn deeper may be ready to go on with it.
Race 4: CHARLIE FURINA MEMORIAL
MIKI PINS (5) was an eye-catcher when he went back from a wider draw last time but worked home well for second. Was also drawn deep when fourth to Leap To Fame in the Newcastle Mile prior and won four in a row at this circuit and distance over the summer so looks nicely placed. KANENA PROVLIMA (9) placed at big odds in the G2 Australian Light Horse FFA here last week, beaten only 3m. Draws wider but will enjoy the drop in class. WASA HEAT SEEKER (8) hasn't had a lot go to plan at his last couple but won at this circuit and distance three back so can bounce back. MONTALBANO (6) must be respected off a fighting win from this barrier here last start while CURLY JAMES (10) draws wide but drops in grade and has yet to miss a place when third-up so can show more.
Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE GO GIRLFRIEND FINAL
BELLA DANZA (11) starts from a wide barrier again but has been racing well from there. Took her strike rate at this circuit and distance to 50 per cent when winning by 3.5m two back before missing by a nose after racing three wide without cover at Penrith last week. With a touch better fortune she'll be tough to stop. OZZIE JOYBELL (2) got the better of Bella Danza at Penrith last start when she led and dug deep to hold her off. Another good draw can see her push forward and give a sight again. OUR DANCE MONKEY (3) was a beaten favourite when she placed fresh at Bathurst but she races well second-up and draws well so could be a big improver. PLATINUM JEWEL (8) recorded a tough win after working when resuming so must be respected along with KIA ORA BEAUTY (10) who draws wide but came from the back row to score at Wagga last start.
Race 6: TAB PACE
TERRY (9) drew widest in a stronger line-up last week but had recorded back-to-back placings at this circuit last month, one of them at Listed level. He'll enjoy tonight's class drop so has winning claims with even luck. ROYAL CRUISER (6) is working up to a win having finished close up in his last two outings at Bathurst, last time beaten 3m into second. Races well at this circuit and distance and should be hitting peak fitness fourth-up. JAY OK (10) raced parked when beaten 3.7m here last start. Draws deep but races well third-up so should have come on further. MAJOR PERRY (7) has been racing well against strong company of late so must rate highly. AMERICAN SPIRIT (3) has being performing well from wider barriers so far this campaign. Building in fitness and is better served by this draw.
Race 7: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE
JUNGLE DRAGON (2) will find this much easier than his last attempt when he came from wider in the G1 NSW Derby. Placed in a Derby heat here two back to follow a tough resuming win at Blayney. Suited back to a distance where he has won three of five attempts and should get his chance from the low draw. Group 1 winning filly SUGAR PIE HONEY (1) made a good return against her own sex when placed in last week's Raith Memorial. That should have brought her on and she draws for a soft run. SINALOA (5) drew wide in his Derby heat last start so was far from disgraced when midfield and impressed with an easy resuming win here two back. PARTY CENTRAL (7) draws wide but finished in front of Sinaloa in his Derby heat to follow a fresh win at Newcastle. Has upside. CAPTAIN MOORE (4) was fourth in a Derby heat last start on the back of a win in Victoria. Must respect.
Race 8: HYLAND HARNESS GEAR TROTTERS MOBILE
HANOVER DA MOON (5) brings strong form to the table. Scored back-to-back wins at this circuit including an 18m romp in his lone attempt at this distance two back before dropping to the mile and chasing star Kiwi Oscar Bonavena when placed last time. He looks nicely placed in this line-up. PROHIBITED LOVE (1) takes a step up in grade but the form is hard to knock having won three times at this circuit so far this campaign. Has led in all of those so can take advantage of the inside draw. AFFAIRE DE COVER (4) enjoys a big class drop off last week's Hammerhead Mile and overcame a 40m handicap when he scored at this venue and distance last month. SPEEDY LOVER (9) steps out for the first time since tackling the Inter Dominion series and while drawn wide he'll be ready to go off three trials. Last-start winner ALDEBARAN JENSEN (3) steps up in grade but draws closer to the pegs.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #3 No Heart Throb – Fitter for a good resuming effort and is much better drawn.
Race 4 #5 Miki Pins – Caught the eye last start and finds a winnable assignment.