MENANGLE
Race 2
Alta Orlando resumes in this from a short a break after running third in ID21. He is a high class pacer who begins quickly and should find the lead despite the wide draw. If he does he will be incredibly hard to beat here.
We all expected Krug to be in the Miracle Mile after his first up Australian win in sub 1.50, but he hasn’t been going as well in subsequent starts. At his best he’s a super 4YO and this is perhaps a more suitable race for him.
Line Up was slaughtered last start and should go better off a sit from the low draw here.
Selections
- Alta Orlando
- Krug
- Line Up
Race 3
Kayla Maguire was a bit plain from the death at Newcastle last start, but breezing is not her go. Will be driven with a sit here, and if things fall the right way for her she could upset them at odds.
Pearl Harbour has been good since coming from New Zealand and can do it from the front or behind.
Shanlou is a chance in what is probably the weakest Group 3 since Jesus played footy for Jerusalem.
- Kayla Maguire
- Pearl Harbour
- Shanlou
Race 4
The old champ Tough Monarch has got a lot of miles in his legs and is advancing in years, but is still a top shelf trotter and is the clear class runner here. The good draw suits and he will be mighty hard to beat against these.
Temporale is no champion, but is probably the 2nd best horse in this field. He was driven very oddly last start and the drive was queried, but that shouldn’t happen here.
Son of Patrick was disappointing when beaten at Menangle during the week but will improve a lot from the run.
- Tough Monarch
- Son of Patrick
- Temporale
Race 5
It is as always a cracker of a NSW Derby, with representation from three states and overseas.
We’re plumping for the Kiwi pacer Major Perry, usually trained by Barry Purdon but with the Fitzpatrick team for his tilt at this. He has raced consistently against the best at home and always put it, and that is good form for any Australian race. Was much slower than the Seymour pair in the heats, but there are no prizes for speed in the semi-finals, and he did what he had to do. He will here too.
Tim’s a Trooper is the lesser fancied of the Grant Dixon trained Queensland pair, but his record says he is the better horse out of he and the favourite Leap to Fame, and at the price he is much better value.
Lightning Dan’s record is not as good as most of his rivals, but had the Nathan Jack factor and he’s been flying in Group 1’s since his comeback to big race driving last month.
Captain Ravishing is better suited to racing cold off a sit and will be steaming home late.
- Major Perry
- Tim’s a Trooper
- Lightning Dan
- Captain Ravishing
Race 6
Jay OK is the most improved horse in NSW, and despite the wide draw will race well. His last start 3rd in the Allied Express should have been enough to get him an invite to the big show (the Miracle Mile) but he was robbed by a pro Luke McCarthy discretionary decision to slip the out of form Expensive Ego in instead. Should get some cold consolation here.
Stylish Memphis won the Ladyship in fine style last start and has been racing very well indeed. Also unlucky not to get an invite into the big one. Anthony Butt takes the reins from Turbo Trainor, so she loses nothing there. It will be a lot harder tonight against the boys off the wide draw but she will be in this up to her neck.
The Black Prince has been racing consistently without winning and is once again drawn well. He is always a knockout chance in a race like this is the speed is on and its run right.
- Jay OK
- Stylish Memphis
- The Black Prince
Race 7
The race we have all come to see, and it will be a beauty too.
Contrary to most people’s view I expect Spirit of St Louis to cross his stablemate King of Swing early and go to the lead, with the King on his back and rising superstar Bondi Lockdown on his outside in the breeze. If I am right we are in for one hell of a race.
Bondi Lockdown will have to do it tough but he is, and I think he will prove it here. I have loved this horse since I first set eyes on him on debut, and if the yanks don’t buy him for a million bucks I reckon he will win a dozen Group 1’s over the next few years. This is his coming of age, and I think he is up to it.
King of Swing is Australia’s current best horse and will of course be mighty hard to beat, although I would have preferred him from a higher draw.
- Bondi Lockdown
- Spirit of St Louis
- King of Swing
Race 8
This is a really high class two-year-old race with a plethora of chances.
The two best horses in my view are Tardelli and Shantilly, and despite drawing the horror outside barriers I still think they will be too good.
Flip of the coin which one, but we will go for master juvenile trainer Brian Portelli’s lad.
Throw in Wayne Dimech’s improver Naturally Gifted with the Turbo factor for 3rd.
- Shantilly
- Tardilly
- Naturally Gifted