Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

Champion pacer Swayzee was back in the winners’ list with an epic Goulburn Cup victory last start and looks very well placed to deliver again when he returns to Menangle on Saturday night.

Classy former Kiwi Captains Mistress can continue her march towards bigger upcoming targets when she seeks to follow up last week's impressive win with another victory in the New Years Gift Final.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday January 17

Race 1: CORDINA FOOD CO PACE

MIKI COHEN (6) has had four weeks off since he worked when racing parked but stuck on to go under by 4.7m in the Christmas Gift Final. Missed by just a nose in heat of that series over this circuit and distance prior. Good enough to win this with his A-game. LETS TURN IT ON (4) led from this barrier in a higher-graded race at his most recent outing at Penrith and went on to score by more than 6m. Had consistent form prior, recording a win and three placings from his previous five outings at this circuit and distance. Big chance. PRECISE (9) has both a rise in class and a wide barrier against her but she is a progressive mare who has won both starts this time, beating the girls to score by 1.2m at this circuit and distance last week. JALANEEL (3) is racing well over this distance here, winning from wider two back and placing last week. Go well again. LIGHT ME UP (8) could be ready to go on with the job having come from this barrier for a breakthrough win at Newcastle last start.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU LADYSHIP PACE

CLASSIC ELEGANCE (7) is racing consistently with top-four finishes in her three starts since coming from a similar draw to this for a win at this circuit and distance when back from a let-up last month. She is suited tackling her own sex this week so can find winning form. SALLY BIGTIME (8) did a job in her first outing for Jason Grimson at this circuit and distance last week, beaten 1.2m into second. Up in grade and draws wider but could be close to a win. MISSAUDACIOUS (9) cops a wide barrier in her first outing since August but she was readied with a trial placing and has won fresh before. GOODTIME LIBBY (6) draws wider than when she led and faded last week but had recorded a win and two placings in her previous three attempts here so is capable of better. TISBURY ROCKS (2) was an eye-catcher when placed last week and while up in grade she draws closer to the pegs.

Race 3: AGNES BANKS EQUINE CLINIC PACE

OOGA CHAKA (8) put the writing on the wall with a strong performance last week when he came from this barrier to miss by just a head as runner-up at this circuit and distance. Should be at peak fitness now so can go one better. SET UP (5) has been freshened since finishing down the track in the Christmas Gift Final at his latest appearance but had looked close to a win when runner-up in his previous two outings at this circuit and distance. ONE FOR THE RODI (2) was far from disgraced after racing three wide without cover last week. Placed twice in a row prior and draws well. BARTELLO (6) hasn't raced for four-and-a-half months but is proven fresh and should be ready to go off a trial win. GUILTY PARTY (3) came from this barrier when he placed here last month and has been solid from wider draws since.

Race 4: SUCCESS STUD EQUINE BREEDING PACE

ROMANEE (4) should be hitting peak fitness fourth-up and has the hoof on the till after a strong showing last week, coming from one spot wider for third at this circuit and distance, beaten just over 2 metres. Big chance to break through. ROCLEA IMAGE (2) was a big improver at his latest appearance at this venue, coming from wider to be beaten just 2.8 metres into fourth. Should have no excuses from this more favourable draw. MCWIZARD (1) backs up off a midfield finish here on Tuesday and while up in grade he is aided by the ace draw. HUGO MAGUIRE (7) has been freshened since the last outing but came from the extreme outside to place here two back so could measure up.

Race 5: FOR A REASON STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE

SWAYZEE (10) was back to his brilliant best with a powerhouse win over fellow topliner Don Hugo in the Goulburn Cup last start. Loves racing at Menangle and goes particularly well over this distance, recording four wins and two placings from his six attempts at it here. He looks a class above these and should be winning again. PERFECT STRIDE (5) showed improvement when he placed here last week. Draws a couple of spots wider but races well at this longer distance with four wins and three placings from nine attempts. UBETCHA TIGERPIE (9) couldn't get into the action last week but he is another that could be better suited up to a distance where he strikes at 50 per cent. I BREAK THE LINE (2) placed the last time he raced here two back so could be competitive from the low draw. HELLUVA (3) drew on the back row and worked last time but is a first four player from a better barrier.

Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE BERT ALLEY NEW YEARS GIFT FINAL

CAPTAINS MISTRESS (8) is an accomplished former Kiwi mare who was ultra impressive in her first outing for Jason Grimson here last week, leading and drawing away to cruise home by nearly 19m. That saw her unbeaten at this distance and while she draws wider she is headed for bigger targets than this and should be too good. Her main danger looks to be stablemate STILL ROLLIN (1). He led from much wider when resuming in his first outing for Grimson last week and got home by 4m. Fitter and has the speed to take advantage of the ace draw. BUSINESS IN HEAVEN (2) came from a few spots wider when third to Still Rollin last week. Draws to be competitive again. DEMON BLUE (12) draws widest but deserves respect having won both starts since joining Grimson, the latest at this circuit and distance. PABLO ROCKS (9) is another that cops a wide draw but there was merit in last week's resuming effort for second to Still Rollin.

Race 7: AINSWORTH THREE YEAR OLD PACE

BENJAMIN (4) is a lightly-raced but promising gelding who made it two from two when he led to score by close to 6m at this circuit and distance last time, beating several of these rivals in the process. Only draws one spot wider so should push forward again and looks to have more potential than most of these. CALZAGHE (2) has done little wrong so far, yet to miss a place in six starts including a win at this circuit and distance. Has ground to make up on Benjamin through the last-start third but draws inside that rival tonight. That could help him. BLAZING HIGH (3) is on a quick back-up after adding to a string of top-two finishes with a win from the back row at Penrith on Thursday. Draws for another good showing. HUNTER STRIDE (6) draws widest in the small field and rises in grade but comes off a nice maiden win at Newcastle and has upside.

Race 8: ULTRA AIR TROTTERS MOBILE

CONSTANTINOPLE (6) hasn't raced since October but finds a highly suitable race for his return and two recent trials wins suggest he has come back in good order. Has won fresh twice before and looks well placed to do it again. RAKERO BLAZE (4) is now a stablemate of Constantinople having joined Luke McCarthy since she was last seen in a midfield finish in the G1 Billi Collins Sprint at Melton in October. Placed behind Constantinople at the trials so looking for a good return. SUNNY GEE (3) came from wider to find winning form at this circuit and distance last start. This is stronger but he draws well so can be competitive along with AFFAIRE DE COVER (1) who is well served by the ace draw having come from a 20m handicap when fourth here on Tuesday.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #8 Ooga Chaka – Put the writing on the wall last week and can go one better.

Race 8 #6 Constantinople – Talented trotter who looks ready to go off two trial wins.