Former Kiwi Hot And Treacherous brings the right form having worked when chasing budding star Leap To Fame for second in a G3 at this circuit last week and had won his previous two outings at Albion Park.
His lone attempt at this sort of distance saw him land the Listed Flashing Red two back.
He starts from a 10m handicap but is going well enough to overcome that.
Loyalist will be fitter for last week's resuming second at this venue when he came from 20m and sat parked before finishing 2m off the winner. He is a definite player from the front mark.
Manila Playboy made an encouraging return when a close second to Hot And Treacherous in the Flashing Red. He has won a trial since and races well second up so can progress.
Tims A Trooper was midfield to Leap to Fame last start after recording two wins and a second from his previous three outings. He is going well and can feature from the front mark.
L L Cool J won three in a row before chasing Tims A Trooper in a last-start second. He starts 10m closer so deserves respect.
There will also be some key pointers to the upcoming three-year-old features in the Redcliffe Derby and Oaks.
In the Derby Naturally Gifted looks a big chance after he proved too good first up at Penrith when he came from the back row and raced three wide without cover before scoring by close to 8m.
He'll be fitter for that and was very consistent in NSW last time in with a string of wins and placings including a NSW Derby second.
He is drawn to get a nice trail and access the sprint lane so has strong claims.
Sure Thing Captain is two from two this time in, overcoming a tough draw and working when fresh then going up in grade to lead and score by 4.5m last time at Albion Park.
He can push forward again from a similar barrier and is building in fitness.
Rocknroll Hammer completed a winning hat trick when he came from the ace to score at Albion Park then drew wider in last week's 3m third. He is a contender from this barrier.
Aardies Flash has done little wrong since arriving from New Zealand and has the speed to be involved from the start while Don Hugo won well here last start so has exotic claims with a touch of luck from this draw.
Smart filly Peaceful looks the one to beat in the Oaks, heading north off a string of top-two finishes at Menangle.
She has had eight weeks off since winning the Gold Bullion Final but was kept up to the mark with two trials, easily winning the latest.
She won her lone attempt at this distance and will be hard to stop from the ace draw.
Jewel Melody could be the danger having won a trial since a last-start placing at Albion Park.
She chased Peaceful home in the Gold Bullion Final at Menangle two back after beating that rival in winning a heat of that series.
She is a multiple G1 winning filly of last season so her best is good enough.
Eve Crocker was a NSW Oaks placegetter last campaign and overcame a second row draw for a fresh win at Penrith. She will be fitter and can be competitive from this draw.
No Dramas was held up last time and while her draw is awkward she was a Menangle winner two back so deserves respect.
A few other key Constellations contenders step out at Menangle on Saturday night, headed by Spirit Of St Louis in the Golden Mile.
The six-year-old hadn't raced for seven weeks before he missed by just a nose at this circuit last start and has won a trial since so will have come on.
He is a classy pacer who should go forward from this favourable draw and looks hard to stop this time.
South Coast Arden is very hard to knock having won all three starts since arriving from New Zealand, the last two of them at this circuit.
He had enough speed to lead from this same draw last week when he scored by close to 2m. With race fitness on his side he is a big chance again.
Alta Orlando has been very consistent this time in and continued a run of top-four finishes when coming from this same barrier for second to South Coast Arden last week. He should be included again.
BEST BETS:
Menangle Saturday Race 2 #1 Delightful Angel @$3.80 – claimed the scalp of a good mare in her resuming win. The ace draw gives her the chance to back that up.
Redcliffe Saturday Race 8 #4 Manila Playboy @ $11.00 – has won a trial since the fresh placing, goes well second up and gets to a circuit where he has won six of eight attempts. He makes each way appeal.
