The fillies will be gunning for a place in the NSW Oaks with two heats run early on the card while the Robin Dundee Stakes will determine the final qualifiers for the Queen Elizabeth II Mile.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday April 27.
Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS APP PACE
IM IN TROUBLE (7) has been close up in his three starts since recording back-to-back wins, last time coming from the extreme outside when edged out by just a nose at this circuit. Big chance to go one better. ITZMINEONTHELINE (1) steps up in grade but is flying having completed a winning hat trick last start at Goulburn when he led from wider and kept going to score by 2.8m. Has the speed to take full advantage of the ace draw. BOOM (5) did a good job here last week when he came from a wide barrier to place. A lower draw brings him right into contention. ARDENS ACE (8) has been solid in two outings since a win at this circuit when he came from this same barrier. In the mix again. PAS GUARANTEE (3) is a two-time second up winner and steps up to distance where he has won two of three attempts. He could be a big improver from a better draw.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (9) sped to the front and kept going when he scored a win at this circuit and distance last week. He draws wider but has the gate speed to get across so could back that up. SIMPLY SAM (8) went back from the outside draw at his local debut but worked home to place behind Last Tango In Heaven. Draws inside that rival tonight and races well second up so can progress. HEZ DUSTY (1) scored from wider two back at Bathurst before a fourth in a good line-up at Goulburn last start. The ace draw brings him into contention. STRAVINSKY (3) was solid enough last start and had put together a string of wins and placings before that so can be competitive. JOE NIEN (11) draws deepest but deserves respect off the last-start win.
Race 3: ASHLEES BABE NSW OAKS HEAT 1
Unbeaten filly VERY PRETTY (7) couldn't have been more impressive when she resumed with a whopping 53m win at Melton, taking her record to six from six. That was her first outing since landing a Group 1 victory in the Breeders Crown Final last November. Hard to tip against her. SWEET HAYLEY JANE (3) made a strong return when coming from a wide barrier to score at this circuit. She is building a handy record and while this is a step up in grade she is aided by a low draw. SOHO HONEY RIDER (2) caused a big upset when she came from the back row to win the G2 Gold Bracelet at Bathurst last start. Must be respected from the good draw. ZENA RHAYNE BOW (1) is racing well in Brisbane, kicking of her campaign with back-to-back wins before placing from the second row last time. Can be competitive from the ace draw. SOAP OPERA (11) has to overcome that outside barrier but is another bringing good Queensland form, winning the Gold Bullion Final last start.
Race 4: SUMMERTIME PREMIUM POULTRY NSW OAKS HEAT 2
LUX AETERNA (3) returned to winning form with a demolition job in the Nutrien Final at Melton last week, speeding to lead from this same draw and clearing out to spank her rivals by almost 23m. She is five from five at this circuit and can go on with it now that she is back in winning form. LIBBY LOU (1) is racing well having yet to miss the top two this time in and beat Lux Aeterna when a close second in the G2 Gold Bracelet Final last start. Kept up to the mark with a trial win since and the ace draw sees her as a danger. RYLEE RHAYNE BOW (7) brings winning form from Brisbane, leading from a similar draw to score by 9m at Albion Park last start. She can measure up along with JILLIBY ILLUMINATE (11) who draws wide but is progressive, winning fresh before placing against the boys in her last two outings at Melton. SOHO VESPER LIND (8) is another drawn out but has been consistent including a Gold Bracelet placing last start.
Race 5: REMEMBERING DIANE RICHARD-EVAN PACE
NO HEART THROB (11) hasn't put a foot wrong since switching from NZ, making it four from four at this circuit and distance when proving too strong a fortnight ago. Has to overcome the widest barrier but has the gate speed to get across so can deliver again. SUPER DUPER DUDE (9) has also been racing well since crossing the Tasman and is yet to miss the top-two here. Led and battled on to go under by 1.6m last time and while he starts from wider the draw inside No Heart Throb sees him as a big chance. CAULONIA COURAGE (2) started at big odds last week but sped to the front from the outside draw and kept going for an easy win so must be a player from the lower draw. ALIBERTO (8) continues to race consistently and came from wider than this when he missed narrowly two back. Respect. NICHOLAS CAGE (7) is worth including after he was just edged out of a placing last week.
Race 6: THERESE CORDINA ROBIN DUNDEE STAKES (GROUP 3)
MAJOR DELIGHT (8) is a multiple Group 1 winner who was brave when she placed after a tough run in the Riverina Championships Final last start. She should be approaching peak fitness third-up and races well at this circuit and distance with three wins and a placing from four attempts. She could show her brilliant best tonight. EYE KEEP SMILING (3) has twice beaten Major Delight including last start when she went under by a nose and the good draw gives her every chance to do it again. She scored in her only third-up attempt and has won three of four visits to this circuit. BRAEVIEW KELLY (1) has had some tough barriers this campaign but is ticking along well. She'll get her chance from the ace draw tonight. The Emma Stewart pair of FIAMMA (11) and TREACHERY (9) both draw wide but made good returns in Victoria and have the talent to be right in the finish with even luck.
Race 7: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND TROTTERS MOBILE
TORO STRIDE (6) is back from a spell of five-and-a-half months but looks to be right up to the mark following three trials, winning the last two by big margins. Two-time fresh winner who has yet to miss the top-three in four attempts at this circuit and distance, winning twice. Can make a winning return. Victoria Oaks winner SHES RUBY ROO (7) was a big improver second up, beating some handy rivals at Ballarat. Fitter again and could measure up. POWDERKEG (11) missed the start last week so manners can be a concern but spanked his rivals when fresh here two back so is dangerous when on his game. HAVE NO FEAR (8) usually races well third-up so could be a big improver with a couple of outings under his belt.
Race 8: AINSWORTH A-STAR 3YO PACE
KINGMAN (3) is a progressive colt who was a class above when resuming at Melton, working forward from a wide barrier to find the front before scoring by 6.7m. He'll be fitter for that and won his only attempt at this shorter distance so will be tough to stop from the favourable draw. MINOS (4) has been a model of consistency with a string of top-three finishes including a Group 2 win in the Gold Chalice at Bathurst two back. He was beaten only 3.2m into third in the NSW Derby the last time he raced here. Contender. OUR LUCIANO (6) kicked off the campaign with a string of placings in Victoria before a dominant win last start at Wagga. He could go on with it with the confidence high. ROYAL CRUISER (2) is aided by a low draw and has the hoof on the till after placing in his last three outings. WINGMAN LOU (8) cops a wide draw but is racing well so is worth including.
BEST BETS:
Race 7 #6 Toro Stride – Trialling impressively and well placed for a winning return.
Race 8 #3 Kingman – Talented and progressive colt who is drawn to advantage.
