Insider - Weekend Preview 20-21 March 2026
This weekend the focus shifts to Penrith where the Sydney club stage their biggest meeting of the season with the running of the $60,000 Group 3 TAB Renshaw on Friday evening. Of special interest this year is the possibility of the $1 million bonus for the New South Wales Carnival of Cups that could be paid out if Captains Knock wins the big race.
Captains Knock won the first of the Carnival of Cups in a desperate finish in the Bidgee Classic at Wagga in a star studded field but he faced weaker company in winning the next three Cups at Newcastle, Bathurst and Albury.
The field at Penrith doesn’t look overly strong and his class should prevail. Over the testing 2525 metres those drawn on the front row may be found wanting. Captains Knock’s main dangers appear on the second line. The veteran Max Delight showed a glimpse of return to form with an eye catching fourth at Menangle on Saturday evening and will be suited by the conditions of the race. Ubetcha Tigerpie is racing well and he has a sharp finishing sprint that will assist him if he’s close enough. The former Western Australian Magnus Victor now in David Aiken’s stable is an interesting runner but needs to be improve to be a chance. Overall the race is Captains Knock to lose.
There is a good supporting card and the other main feature is the $75,000 Listed TAB Metropolitan Regional Championship. The Jason Grimson trained Ima Boxer is likely to start a warm favourite from the second row. Only lightly raced he won his heat in impressive style and has a 1.51.1 best time winning at Menangle two starts back. With Distinction worked hard before winning his Heat at Penrith and is ideally drawn in barrier 2. Siren Sea has shown she’s close to winning and has the ability to cause an upset.
Gloucester Park has a full ten event program with the main event being the Trotsynd mobile pace. Outstanding pacer Minstrel who is being prepared for the Nullabor next month looks the testing material. He was a gallant runner up to Magnificent Storm in the Pinjarra Cup and despite the presence of some smart performers looks too accomplished for his rivals. Mighty Ronaldo has speed and rates a chance if he gets a sit. Better Eclipse is racing well without much luck and has the ability to be in the finish but his awkward outside draw won’t enhance his prospects.
At Menangle on Saturday evening the second event is the main race programmed and draws together an even field. The race looks to be a match between the ultra consistent Alta William and the speedy mare The Answer and both are likely to be prominent early. Miki Pins can be expected to improve while Bainbridge has been racing in harder company and he has a strong finishing sprint when let loose.
At Melton the Swift Signs Pace is shaping up as an intriguing event. Bulletproof Boy probably ran one of the best races of his stellar career when finishing 7th in the Miracle Mile last Saturday after contacting the sulky and being checked thus tailing out. He finished less than 12 metres from Leap To Fame and on that run he looks the one to beat. Fighter Command is resuming from a spell and he showed enough ability last time in to suggest that he will win his share of races.
The other highlight sees the return of the promising four year old Captain Perfect who is resuming this time in. A winner of the Woodlands Breeders Crown Captain Perfect showed plenty of stamina and grit last time in and is ready to go further in this preparation.
Albion Park sees the Lou Cini Memorial Free For All and former New South Wales pacer Dashing looks the one to beat. He showed great courage and resilience winning last week at the Creek and from the pole will be hard to beat.
Former New Zealander Whos Delight in the Grant Dixon stable has created a big impression winning his only two Australian appearances at Albion Park. Last start he ran 1.52 over the short distance and is drawn to give another bold showing. Attachment has been racing in better class but he needs to be able to get across from his extremely wide front row draw.
South Australia sees the annual Strathalbyn meeting to be staged at Globe Derby with both the Pacers and Trotters Cups worth $20,000 each.
The pacers cup is an open with Ryan Hryhorec having five runners. Peace of Heaven put together four on end before he finished down the track in the Kadina Cup which was too bad to be true and he gets his chance to make amends from the pole. Evergreen pacer Bellezza Nero is a always a chance in this type of event while Dhaulagiri is racing in great heart and will have the services of Wayne Hill.
Hryhorec also has four runners in the Trotters Cup. So Vogue might be his best chance having drawn the pole and will be driven by Mark Norman. Meadow Valley Star was a brave second in last weeks Mount Gambier Trotters Cup and he’ll be hard to beat despite his 30 metre handicap. Back with him on 30 metres is the well performed Phoebe Onyx and he should be rattling home at the finish.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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