Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

The inside draw gives boom colt Hollywood Strip every chance to maintain an unbeaten record on NSW Breeders Challenge finals night at Menangle on Saturday.

He looks set to start a hot favourite in the two-year-old colts and geldings decider, one of four Group 1 races on a quality program where boom filly Ark Sea will be out to add to her growing reputation despite a wide draw.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 25

Race 1: HRNSW RISING STARS (PENALTY EXEMPT EVENT)

HUXTON (11) faces his toughest yet but he has shown talent in winning both starts since switching from New Zealand, last time leading to score by 4m at this circuit and distance. The wide draw presents a challenge but he has the gate speed to overcome that and has been kept up to the mark with a trial win since last seen so could take this next step. MIKIBEQUICK (6) made it back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance when he came from a similar draw to get home by 1.5m last start. That was his fourth success from his last five outings so the form is hard to knock. CATCHAFIRE (5) beat a handy filly for a strong second-up win two back before placing last time in the West Wyalong Cup. Should be peaking now. SANCHEZ (7) should find this easier than last week's attempt in the Victoria Derby and has placed in all three attempts at this circuit and distance.

Race 2: FRED BORG OAM MEMORIAL

FRANCO TYSON (5) is building nicely into his preparation and looks to have the hoof on the till having placed in his last two outings at this circuit. Came from wider when beaten 1.4m last week. Peaking now so could strike tonight. HUTA (6) is two from two at this circuit since switching to Jason Grimson, leading both times including when he came from this barrier last month. Unproven at this longer distance but is going well. NAMAKA (1) is a handy filly who comes through the Breeders Challenge series, coming from a wide barrier to win a heat here two back. Could be competitive from the inside draw. JIMMY JAMES MAGUIRE (4) deserves respect after missing narrowly from this same barrier here last week.

Race 3: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)

Plenty of chances so looking for some value with HEEZA MALTEEZA (5). He's won two of three starts here so far this campaign, placing after a tough run in the other. There was plenty to like about last week's semi-final win when he covered ground from the widest barrier but was very strong late. That should have topped him off nicely. PATH TO GREATNESS (2) has been beaten into the placings as a hot favourite in both rounds of the series but there is no doubting his talent. Led and was run down in the semis but draws to go forward again and will be peaking so could be harder to get past. JUNGLE DRAGON (3) will relish this barrier after drawing wide last week. Won four of his previous five and should get his chance to show that sort of form again. SWEET ON LEXY (4) is reliable and usually competitive in these sorts of races. He deserves respect along with DOUBLE LOU (6) who draws wider but did well to win last week.

Race 4: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)

The outside barrier presents a challenge for SUGAR PIE HONEY (11) but she has been terrific in her two wins this time in, both times pushing forward from the second half of the line to find the front before winning in dominant fashion. Building an impressive strike rate at the circuit and distance and is unbeaten third-up so will be peaking. Can back up her win in the two-year-old fillies final of this series last year. GUNNA RELOAD (9) was runner-up to her in that race and presents as the main challenger again. Was no match for Sugar Pie Honey fresh but has won well in both outings since, one of them from this barrier, so has clearly come on since then. SMIRKIN SERENE (4) had her winning streak snapped when 5.5m behind Gunna Reload last week but she drew very wide there. Can be more competitive from this barrier. TENACIOUSLY (5) has performed well from tougher draws in both rounds of the series while WEONA MISS MIKI (10) draws wider this week but is racing well and has upside.

Race 5: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA FFA

A break proved costly for CAPTAINS KNOCK (7) when looming ominously last week but he still managed to surge late for a 2.5m third. He went into that off a six-week let-up following his nose second in the Len Smith Mile so should have come on. Has won three times at this longer distance here, twice at Listed level and the other in an inter Dominion heat. He can atone for last week's mishap. RIPP (5) was a metre in front of Captains Knock last week, his second runner-up result in three starts since scoring from a wide barrier. Going well and looks a danger. BEACH BALL (3) is building in fitness and might enjoy the step up in distance. He draws to play a role. CLASSIC MISSION (4) has been solid in his two outings since winning from a wider barrier.

Race 6: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1)

ARK SEA (11) cops a wide barrier but has the pace to overcome that and looks a star in the making. She has been dominant in both rounds of the series when pushing to the front and drawing clear to cruise home. Her lone defeat came when second against the boys in the Group 1 Protostar so she looks very hard to stop against her own sex. The good draw sees SPARKLING SEA (3) as a danger. She too is a talent, her only defeat coming when second in the Bathurst Gold Tiara. Overcame wide barriers to win both her heat and semi at this circuit and distance and she should enjoy the favours this time. EYE WISH (10) draws out but was brave after racing wide behind Ark Sea last time. OSHLEY (4) is worth a place in the exotics.

Race 7: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1)

The marble looks to have fallen perfectly for boom colt HOLLYWOOD STRIP (1). He made it four from four when he worked to the front from a couple of spots wider before dictating and winning his semi final by more than 7m. Has the speed to take full advantage of the barrier and doesn't lack for talent so will be very hard to get past. MESSAGE BANK (4) suffered his first defeat in the semis but was far from disgraced when he worked from this barrier early before pushing to the front and sticking on for a 1.3m second. Showed his talent in winning the Bathurst Gold Crown last campaign and will be peaking third up so looks the most likely challenger. Tough draw for NOCTURNAL (12) but he is a consistent colt who has yet to miss the top three in five attempts at this circuit and distance, winning twice. CLASSIC CHIP (7) deserves respect after his surprise semi-final win while LEXY (5) continued his consistent form when chasing Hollywood Strip last time. Can be competitive again.

Race 8: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 3)

ROYAL CRUISER (6) was dominant in last week's semi-final when he pushed to the front from a wider barrier and went on to get home by close to 7m, adding to a handy record at this circuit and distance. Came into that off a six-week let-up following his win in The Stockade so the hitout should have improved him. Hard to stop. OUR GOAT (1) could pose a threat after winning the other semi last week, coming from much wider to get home narrowly. He has the gate speed to be prominent from the inside draw. VITE MONET (8) was just edged out by Our Goat last week and while he draws a couple of spots wider he has the gate speed to overcome that. RAVISHING SLOY (2) and ALTA WILLIAM (3) are both drawn to be competitive.

Race 9: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO MARES FINAL (GROUP 3)

Not much between the two Rickie Alchin stablemates. GOLLY GEE FELLAS (4) has relished the return to the mile, getting the better of Lux Aeterna last time to make it two wins on the trot and take her record at the circuit and distance to five from six. Draws inside her main rival so that gives her chance to land the hat trick. LUX AETERNA (5) has nearly 5m to make up Golly Gee Fellas through the last-start second but was terrific in in winning the Listed Frith Stakes here prior when she drew deep and raced up to four wide. Classy and definitely capable of turning the tables. SOAP OPERA (2) brings different form lines from Brisbane where she was an Albion Park winner over 1660m two back. Draws well and usually performs well when she visits Menangle, her record here standing at two wins and three placings from six attempts. LUVARESCHS (8) draws deep but can be competitive after placing behind the top two selections last start.

Race 10: 24HR FIGHT AGAINST CANCER MACARTHUR TONY AND JILL MCGRATH TROTTERS CUP (LISTED CLASSIC)

FAMILIAR TRICKS (6) faces his toughest test yet but he has been powering through his grades this time in, making it five in a row at this circuit when leading from this barrier to get home by 4.7m last time. The confidence will be sky high so could take the next step. It's been a while between drinks for CONSTANTINOPLE (7) but he looks close to another success after back-to-back seconds at this venue and distance, chasing a smart Victorian last time. Manners can be his downfall but is good enough to win if he gets it right. SPEEDY LOVER (8) draws wide and may prefer a standing start but is back in form, scoring for the second time in his last four starts when saluting by 6m last week. GET USED TO IT (4) brings consistent form from Brisbane and has recorded a win and a placing in two attempts at this circuit and distance.

BEST BETS:

Race 2 #5 Franco Tyson – Building towards a win and gets his chnace.

Race 6 #11 Ark Sea – Boom filly who has the class to overcome a wide draw.