This Weekend’s Australian Preview

This weekend the spotlight shifts to Menangle with the running of the $250,000 Group 1 Chariots of Fire and an excellent supporting card of quality racing.

Despite being the main event on the program, the Chariots Of Fire looks to be at the mercy of the brilliant mare Captains Mistress. The New Zealand bred mare has been well nigh invincible in her five Australian starts this preparation and from barrier 2 she is likely to go straight to the lead and should win in a stroll. No driver will attempt suicide tactics in taking her on so if driver Cameron Hart can get a breather in either the second or third quarters expect her to run an electrifying last quarter. Double Lou is drawn the pole and although racing well he’s a place chance at best. Hesitate looked every inch a star winning the 4YO Bonanza at Melton last month but it’s likely that he’ll be well back in the field.

And if as expected Captains Mistress is able to run her last quarter in 26 or so seconds there’s no prospect of the rest of the field making up any ground.

The key attraction is the running of the two Free For Alls that will decide the make up of the Miracle Mile a week later and they have attracted the best pacers on the Eastern Seaboard.

The first, the International Animal Health Sprint, sees Don Hugo perfectly drawn on the pole and driver Luke McCarthy can either hold out the lead or take a trail. Noted speedster Hi Manameisjeff is likely to test for the early lead as is the Speak The Truth. However in what will be an intriguing clash Australia’s leading pacer Leap To Fame is also likely to be in a forward position from his likely barrier 3. He’s been showing more early speed out of the gate recently and if he was to go to the lead then he would be hard to beat.

In addition there is also have the presence of the outstanding Captains Knock although he’s drawn the outside of the front row. If he finds the early pace too hot it’s likely that driver Brad Hewitt will be looking to be not too far back so that he can have a crack at the leaders from the top of the home straight.

The second Free, the Bioworma Sprint, is also composed of the highest quality. Both The Janitor and Pinseeker are likely to fly out of the gate from their positions but Rakero Rocket who has a 1.47.3 time at Menangle is likely to come out fast as well. He appeared to have every chance when runner up to Bulletproof Boy in the Miracle Mile but he’s too good to dismiss.

Dual Hunter Cup winner Swayzee is drawn the outside of the front row but driver Cameron Hart has elected to stick with him rather than with Rakero Rocket. He will face a huge task and the mile has not been his favourite distance but write him off at your peril. Adding as well Kingman who was unbelievable in the Hunter Cup after being badly interfered with and finishing less than eight metres from the winner.

Kingman has a brilliant turn of speed and if he’s up with them on the final bend he could win even he has to do a bit a work and race wide such is his level of stamina.

There are three heats of the New South Wales Derby to be run with the $200,000 Final the week after.

Nominal favourite Hollywood Strip will have the luxury of going straight into the Derby Final as he has already qualified by winning the Simpson Sprint.

The series this year is bereft of the Interstate competition that we have seen in previous years with just four interstate representatives Eyeneedtaht, Fire and Passion, Move it Lou NZ and Usyk taking their place.

The first heat is probably the most open. The Michael Stanley trained Soho Trump is awkwardly drawn in eight but he ran 1.51.4 and looked sharp winning at Menangle on 26 February. Lightly raced he looks classic material at some stage.

The Captain Crunch colt Rewatch has been freshened up for this after running 1.51.7 at Menangle a few weeks back while Showmethetanlines now in the Jason Grimson stable should improve. Another interesting runner is Leeton Breeders Plate winner Im No Trouble who is proving to be a star performer for his trainer Michael Hawke.

The second heat looks made for Queenslander Fire And Passion who’s drawn the pole. A very accomplished two year old he’s won nine of his eleven starts and will improve on his recent first up win at Albion Park. Michael Stanley’s other runner Soho Charmer is again drawn wide but he will be suited by the pace.

In the third heat former New Zealander Zeus Lightning made a big impression when he chased home Hollywood Strip in the Simpson Sprint. He’s now in the Jason Grimson stable and expect a big improvement on his last run. Another former New Zealander Fugitive showed his class with a determined third at Melton after winning in good style at Menangle.

Emperor has only had three starts for his trainer Luke McCarthy for two wins and he should handle the step up in class as he’s already ran 1.52.9 at Menangle.

The Listed New South Wales Sootha Sapling Stakes brings together an interesting field. Likely favourite is the Luke McCarthy trained Don Hunter who couldn’t have been more impressive winning his last three trials at Menangle including where he ran 1.54.6. Ideally drawn in two, he looks the testing material.  Passion And Pain scored a well deserved win in the Newcastle Reay Sapling stakes Final and his race experience will serve him well.

Gloucester Park has the running of the $50,000 Westside Auto Wholesale – The Lombardo for mares on Friday evening and this brings together a wide open field. Penny Black looked strong winning after a short let up last Friday night. The similar conditions should suit her to the ground. Hunger Strike is racing particularly well and she would be hard to beat if she found the lead while Little Darling and Alta Allure who both chased home Penny Black last week need to be considered.

Victoria takes the spotlight on Sunday with the first slot race in that state with the running of the $125,000 Cargill Cares Running Of The Bulls at the Mallee town of Birchip in North Western Victoria. Well bred gelding Sanchez ran on strongly for second in the 4YO Bonanza at Melton last month and that should earn him favouritism. Meteor Moth has plenty of ability and can do better than his last start sixth in the Ararat where he hung under pressure. The interesting runner will be the pole marker Wicked Confession who has won her last two outings at Mildura in fast time and has the services of leading reinsman James Herbertson.

The $15,000 Sharps Bakery Birchip Pacing Cup looks made for the Emma Stewart trained Uniquely Ideal who won her last start at Kilmore after racing outside the leader. Tough pacer Madigan who was narrowly beaten in the Ararat Cup will be suited by these conditions.

The other main meeting on Sunday evening will be the annual Wangaratta meeting at Shepparton with an excellent nine event program.

The $12,000 Trotters Cup looks to be an even field with a number of chances including pole marker Coconut Mickey and The Dark Thunder.

Similarly the $12,000 Pacing Cup looks to be another wide open race and main chances include Oh Sweet Creature, With In Reason and from the second row Momentum Line who has been racing in tougher metropolitan company.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink