Several Inter Dominion hopefuls will do battle in a high quality and very competitive Italian Cup, feature race at Menangle on Saturday night.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday November 9
Race 1: FARMER JOES FOOD SERVICES PACE
WHISKEY CAVALIER (9) is going well, placing in both outings over a mile since he scored a second-up win over this longer distance. Draws deep but has the early speed to get across and with a 50 per cent strike rate at this journey he could overcome the barrier and return to the winners' list. CAULONIA COURAGE (5) is working up to a win, racing parked when fourth two back before a 2.3m second last week. Big chance to go one better. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (10) took advantage of the inside draw to lead and win here last time. Starts from the outside tonight but was performing well from wide barriers earlier in his campaign. MICK DANGER (4) will enjoy the step up to a distance where he has won three of five attempts.
Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE
WHEREYABINBOPPIN (10) was swamped late after leading here last week but still finished less than 3m from the winner. Has been in Listed races the last two times he attempted this longer distance for a third and a fourth. Draws wide but has the early speed to get across. ZEUSS BROMAC (11) resumes after ending his last campaign with a Newcastle win in April. Cops the outside barrier but owns a decent fresh record and has been readied with three trials, winning the latest. ARDENS ACE (7) brings some good form to the table. Worked when edged out by just a head here last week and had come from a similar barrier to win the previous outing at Bathurst. JILLIBY NITRO (5) has claims off a placing from a wider barrier last week.
Race 3: CLUB MENANGLE ITALIAN CUP
CAPTAINS KNOCK (8) has thumped his rivals in his last three starts at this circuit, last time leading and cruising home by 16m in the 4EG Breeders Challenge Final. Draws wider and takes on a more accomplished field but he is building a fine strike rate at the mile. His form is very hard to knock. DISTRICT ATTORNEY (7) worked and faded in the Victoria Cup last start but was a brave second in his other Victorian outing in the Kilmore Cup. If he performs up to his second in Len Smith Mile at this circuit and distance three back he'll be hard to stop. MAX DELIGHT (6) has been ultra reliable this campaign, adding to a string of top-four finishes when second to champion Leap To Fame here last start. Expect him to feature in the finish again. DON LOU (5) was close to Max Delight when placed last start to follow a fresh win. Going well and is right in the mix again.
Race 4: CLUB MENANGLE WARATAH FINAL
SCARED STIFF (2) has been ultra consistent of late, coming from the back row for second at Leeton last start. He was brave when fourth in a much-higher graded race at Wagga two back. Proven at this circuit and distance and is well served by the low draw. MAMMALS ALIBI (12) cops the widest draw but has been in terrific form, winning five of his last six. The defeat came when he was forced to race up to four wide at this circuit but with better fortune he is a major player. HERE COMES BOBBY (1) was the horse to beat Scared Stiff at Leeton last start, his second win from his last three outings. The ace draw gives him the chance to deliver again. MIKI PINS (6) was rewarded for his recent consistency with a win from the back row last start at West Wyalong.
Race 5: ULTRA AIR PACE
EL CAMINO (6) is working towards a win and comes off thirds in both rounds of the Breeders Challenge 4EG series, the latest from the same barrier in the G3 final. He'll be close to peak fitness fourth up and this looks a good race for him. MAEBEE (9) is close to a win after a string of top-four finishes at this circuit, last time racing up to four wide but sticking on well for third. Cops a wide draw but led from a similar barrier four back when beaten only 1.5m. If things go his way he could break through tonight. SWEET LOVIN (2) is a lightly-raced but promising colt who made it two wins from just three starts when scoring here last time. This is a step-up but he led from a wide barrier last start so should enjoy the low draw. WEONA SIR VIVOR (7) headed to town after spanking his rivals at Penrith two back and chased nicely for fourth here last week. Draws a couple of spots wider but he is going well.
Race 6: TAB WE'RE ON PACE
Former Kiwi OBADIAH DRAGON (1) made the perfect start in Australia, overcoming the widest barrier for a narrow win at this circuit and distance. That was his first hitout for five weeks so he should be better for it and the inside draw gives him every chance to back it up. There was merit in the latest effort of IDEAL MARQUESS (4) when he raced parked but fought well for a 1.7m third at this venue. That was his fourth placing from his last six outings. Should go well again. DONTLETFEARSTOPYA (2) led from this draw when placed here last time, less than 2m behind Obadiah Dragon. Can give a sight again. DOM TORETTO (3) has had to work in his last couple of outings but is suited up to a distance where he races well.
Race 7: STAN DUMESNY MEMORIAL
Manners were letting HOT TO TROT (4) down at the end of his last campaign but he is talented, winning at this circuit earlier in his preparation. He is proven fresh and was readied with a trial so is a big chance if he gets it right. LEAF STRIDE (9) has trialled since breaking early last time and the prior form was strong, recording a win and a nose second in a Group 3 in his previous two outings. Both of those were in standing start races but if he gets away from the mobile cleanly he is good enough to win. SLEEPEE (10) broke and suffered atrial fibrillation last start but has trialled well since. Runner-up when behind a mobile here two back so is suited returning to those conditions. SPEEDY LOVER (11) starts from the outside but is a player off a win from a wide barrier here three back.
Race 8: BUBBA GUMP PEST CONTROL LADYSHIP PACE
JOELITA (8) did a good job in her first local start since a stable switch, chasing a Group 1 class mare for a 4.2m second last week. That was in a higher-graded race so she looks nicely placed to go one better. MARIA ALLEGONDA (6) comes off a winning return at this circuit, digging deep to get home by a head. Her second-up record isn't as strong as when she is fresh but she draws a little closer to the pegs so could take the next step. GO OH MICKY (9) returns to the city with a picket fence beside her name, making it six wins in a row when scoring at Penrith last start. Cops a wider draw but winning form is hard to knock. HEAVENLY HOLLY (10) draws wide but has been tackling the boys of late, including a Newcastle win three back. Can be competitive back against her own sex.
BEST BETS:
Race 6 #1 Obadiah Dragon – Overcame a wide barrier to win at his local debut. Can back that up from the inside draw.
Race 8 #8 Joelita – Chased a good mare last start and is nicely placed dropping in grade.
