Finding you a winner - or three - at Menangle Saturday night

RACE ONE:

Don't be 'fazed' by the outside gate when the Charlie Pollicina-conditioned UNFAZED (10) heads around to the start for the opening event. The talented son of Auckland Reactor has been in superb form this season, collecting six wins and half a dozen placings from his 19 starts, and according to his beaming mentor, the 5yo will continue to improve as he works through the grades. Left exposed outside of the leader at his most recent assignment a week ago, Unfazed hit the line with purpose with Sean Grayling establishing a winning break with 200m to complete. The end result was a dominant win over Boyzhavtime and Little Demon. Apart from the deep draw, Unfazed will encounter a harder task, but expect to see him again fighting out the finish. ARTILLERY (7) is coming off an explosive win at Headquarters last week when he charged down the middle of the track in defeating Gliding Away and Braedos Lad. With Chris Geary required to drive THE CROUPIER (9) for Belinda McCarthy, Hannah Rixon will take the reins behind Artillery, which is also prepared by Belinda. JOE NIEN (4) peaks in condition following three runs back, with each run being more than creditable. Handily drawn, the son of Shadow Play can be expected to be in the mix when the judge calls a halt. BRAEDOS LAD (8) has had a change of stables following his 6.7m 3rd behind Artillery last week, with Jack Trainor now in charge of his training routine. Despite the wide draw expect the son of For A Reason to give a good account. When it comes to the multiples, DOUBLE ENCOUNTER (5), ROSSINI (6) and THE CROUPIER (9), which has been mixing his form, should assist in that regard.

UNFAZED 1, Artillery 2, Joe Nien 3, Braedos Lad 4.

RACE TWO:

Now that WOW HES A ROCK STAR (3) has recaptured winning form, the Blake Fitzpatrick trained and driven son of Rock N Roll Heaven is worthy of further attention. Enjoying the one-one last time out, which was his third run back from a spell, the 4yo comfortably accounted for Back In Twenty and Soho Sinatra. From his good draw, Blake should again provide Wow Hes A Rock Star with a suitable run, en route to again being active in the finish. Ideally drawn in one is the Joe Conolly-conditioned LOYALIST (1), which has been racing in fine fashion since coming from NZ. The son of Bettors Delight drew wide last time out, but still proved too good for Be My Rose and He Bettor Step Aside, with the 5yo hitting the line strongly from a midfield role. Loyalist has successfully dictated the terms and he looks poised to take plenty of running down again. BLUE CHIP DELIGHT (8) doesn't win out of turn, but the consistent Jack Trainor-prepared 5yo stays under notice as a threat. Rarely far away, Blue Chip Delight is capable of greeting the judge, without surprising. BOYZHAVTIME (6) is coming off a couple of solid placings, the first at Newcastle while the latter resulted in a gritty 2nd behind Unfazed last week. The 4yo is capable of another competitive showing so don't dismiss his claims while ELEKTRA (10) had no luck last week when a closing 1.5m 4th to Chevrons Bypass. The mare has drawn the outside gate but she is entitled to further consideration. Exotic players should also consider LITTLE DEMON (5) and DAN FERNANDO (7).

WOW HES A ROCK STAR 1, Loyalist 2, Blue Chip Delight 3, Boyzhavtime 4.

RACE THREE:

This race is overflowing with chances, but courtesy of drawing the pole, HE BETTOR STEP ASIDE (1) is worthy of further consideration, although he hasn't greeted the judge since scoring at Penrith back in April. Prepared by Blake Fitzpatrick, the 7yo has been thereabouts in most of his recent Menangle encounters, the latest resulting in a 5.9m 5th to Western Style last week. The son of Bettors Delight didn't have the best of luck from his four peg role and with the prospect of securing a role closer to the action, He Bettor Step Aside will be right in the finish. AALESUND (9) also went around in the race won by Western Style, with the mare working home stoutly in posting a creditable 5m fourth. Another wide gate will welcome the 5yo, however, with Josh Gallagher driving in superb form, Aalesund is worthy of more than a passing thought. LUCKY BEACH BOY (8) hit the line nicely from a three-peg role when a 3m 2nd to Western Style. The Paul Fitzpatrick-conditioned 5yo has been in fine form since a spell and this challenge isn't out of his reach. ITZ MAJOR RICH (6) scored here two starts ago, then wasn't disgraced when a 7.5m 6th in the race won by Western Style. The 4yo son of Art Major should be included when it comes to sorting out the main players. That leaves HAZELNUTS (11), MAN FROM BRAAVOS (10), BENEATH THE SHADOW (2) and HAS THE COURAGE (3) as exotic contenders.

HE BETTOR STEP ASIDE 1, Aalesund 2, Lucky Beach Boy 3, Itz Major Rich 4.

RACE FOUR:

Without a win in 13 months and yet to greet the judge at Headquarters following 15 attempts, which has resulted in five placings, four as runner-up, ROCK FISHERMAN (3) is capable of landing the money. Suitably drawn in three and coming off a couple of solid efforts at Bathurst, the Bernie Hewitt-trained son of Pet Rock won't get a better chance than this to be first past the post. Runner-up behind Camanchi Warrior, despite having a flat tyre, Rock Fisherman then hit the line with intent when a metre 2nd behind stablemate Mymatepog. There looks to be a suitable case for the 5yo to dictate here and that should go a long way towards Rock Fisherman greeting the judge. LUKE JOHN (2) drifted well back in the pack before working home stoutly in recording a useful 10.5m 6th to Delightful Angel last week. Usually thereabouts, the Jack Trainor-prepared son of Mach Three has the chance to secure a prominent role from the good draw. KISSMELVIS (1) has had two runs for Trevor Munday since arriving from Victoria and appears to be building towards a win. Resuming from a spell with a creditable 8m 4th to Itz Major Rich, the son of Rocknroll Hanover again worked home stoutly in recording a 2.7m 2nd behind Delightful Angel last week. The 8yo hasn't won since early March but he should give this a big shake after drawing gate one. LETS GET ROCKIN (8) will find this challenge more to his liking after posting a 19.7m 4th behind the talented Victorian Bettor Isolate in the G2 NSWBC 4YO C&G's Final back on Oct 29. Prepared by Michael Doltoff, the Mach Three 4yo has drawn wide but he remains in the mix as a threat. Exotic players should include SOHO SINATRA (5), GLENAVRIL KING (10) and SHADY AZZ (7), which has been disappointing in two runs for Belinda McCarthy, however, the 5yo son of Shady Play is capable of a lot better showing.

ROCK FISHERMAN 1, Luke John 2, Kissmelvis 3, Lets Get Rockin 4.

RACE FIVE:

The classy STINGGRAY TARA (4) has the chance to record another win after the 6yo was responsible for a gallant effort in defeat last week. Contesting the G3 Tony Turnbull, the Jack Trainor-prepared son of Bettors Delight was able to secure a kind run behind the classy Jilliby Kung Fu, but courtesy of an outstanding front-running drive by Chris Geary, Stingray Tara remained there for the balance of the contest, finally finding sufficient room in cutting back the margin to a head. Josh Gallagher is again likely to be first to the pegs, prior to handing the role as pacemaker over to WHEREYABEBINBOPPIN (10). With the James Rattray trained and driven 'flyer' bound to set a solid temp, this time around Stingray Tara should have sufficient 'leg room' in making a bold play for the main share of the prizemoney. WHEREYABINBOPPIN has been in outstanding form in recent months with the son of Betterthancheddar six wins while being in the mix on numerous occasions. The decision by James to avoid the 'big guns' in the Inter Dominion has been the right call and the pair will again take plenty of running down. BURNHAM BOY (5) has been competitive on a regular basis in races of this nature. The 5yo recorded a gritty 3.5m 2nd to Whereyabinboppin, prior to a determined  2.7m 4th behind Jilliby Kung Fu last week. Josh Gallagher will be hoping to secure a suitable role close to the action once again, and it will come as no surprise to see Burnham Boy greeting the judge. MACH SHARD (8) returns to a suitable challenge following a 22.6m last behind Rock N Roll Doo in the Victoria Cup before recording a creditable 11.6m 9th to I Cast No Shadow in the G1 Len Smith Mile. A competitive showing from the 7yo is a distinct possibility so don't write him off. Exotic investors should also include IDEAL ESCAPE (1), despite the rise in grade. The 5yo had no luck last week when a 19.8m 7th to Loyalist. Trapped three-wide for the majority of the trip, the Cameron Ross-trained 5yo will enjoy gate one and with the benefit of a far kinder run, Ideal Escape will be a value player. TUPPENCE (3) has trialled well for his return while KID MONTANA (7) and ASHARK (6) are also in the multiple mix.

STINGRAY TARA 1, Whereyabinboppin 2, Burnham Boy 3, Mach Shard 4.

RACE SIX:

Game, determined and with a great 'will to win', TOTAL DIVA (9) is again entitled to top billing for the running of the G3 Teeny Teeny Stakes. The Peter Hanson-trained daughter of Terror To Love will be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins at Headquarters, with her latest win coming two weeks ago when successful in the G3 Sue Kelly Ladyship. In a thrilling four-way finish, Total Diva prevailed by the nose margin over Fairy Tinkabell and Little Bliss, despite racing without cover. The mare has drawn a couple of spots wider, but as she has shown in the past, she doesn't mind the extra workload. LITTLE BLISS (8) is also a competitive mare and it is hard to fault her form. Prepared by Troy Williams, the Art Major 5yo was hitting the line strongly after clearing a three-peg role, prior to working home strongly over the final 200m. Little Bliss had gate one on that occasion, and although confronted by a wider gate this time around, expect to see the mare making her presence felt. FAIRY TINKABELL (11) indicated that she was returning to form when she led in being involved in that enthralling finish. The outside gate awaits the daughter of Big Jim, but she is likely to show gate speed in being prominently placed from the outset. WHATS YOUR SECRET (4) didn't have the best of luck when a 4.8m 6th to Chevrons Bypass last week. Prior to that outing the mare was also involved in the exciting four-way finish in the G3 Sue Kelly Ladyship, with the daughter of Bettors Delight going down by a head in grabbing fourth, and an unlucky fourth at that. THE HONEY QUEEN (10) has been off her game in two runs back, but if the mare found her best, it would be good enough to see her testing her rivals.

TOTAL DIVA 1, Little Bliss 2, Fairy Tinkabell 3, Whats Your Secret 4.

RACE SEVEN:

Down considerably in grade, this appears to be an ideal assignment for the Sean Grayling trained and driven PUMP THE BRAKES (8). Runner-up in two of his four runs since resuming, Pump The Brakes wasn't disgraced in races won by Stingray Tara and  Nerano, respectively, prior to his latest effort a week ago, which will be a good pointer to his claims this in this contest. Competing from a three-peg role, the son of Dawn Ofa New Day was beaten a mere 4.3m in claiming 5th spot behind Jilliby Kung Fu in the G3 Tony Turnbull. It would be long odds if any of his rivals in this race would be able to register such a result in that company. Pump The Brakes has drawn deep but Sean is likely to allow the 8yo to make his presence felt from the outset. And, if he does find the lead, then Pump The Brakes will take a power of beating. BACK IN TWENTY (9) has been in the mix of late with his most recent encounter resulting in a closing 3.3m 2nd behind Wow Hes A Rock Star. The wide gate is a concern for the Cameron Ross-trained son of Sportswriter; however, he must be included as a contender. IZAHA (10) had solid support recently when he crossed from 10 and dictated the terms, en route to a fading 5.4m 4th behind Wow Hes A Rock Star. Prior to that run Izaha posted a solid 7m 7th behind Spirit Of St Louis and if he repeats that effort, then the son of Roll With Joe is bound to be in the finish. LOCHIEL (1) was having his first run for the in-form mentor Leon Judd when he recorded a creditable 9m 4th to Hes Chiming a week ago. Fitter for that outing and with a vastly better draw next to his name, the 5yo son of Lincoln Royal should be kept safe. ALWAYS ROCKIN (5) and MAJOR OBAHMA (7) have claims when it comes to multiple transactions.

PUMP THE BRAKES 1, Back In Twenty 2, Izaha 3, Lochiel 4.

RACE EIGHT:

ALDEBARAN TESS (5) was never a factor last time out when the mare broke and lost all chance for the run home. The end result was a distant last behind Caligula, however, the Sofia Arvidsson trained and driven daughter of Muscle Hill is worthy of another chance. Prior to her latest outing, Aldebaran Tess was responsible for a couple of solid wins at Headquarters and if the 5yo brings that form to this race, then the mare should square the ledger with punters. SUNNY GEE (8) is coming off a gritty win here a week ago when the KerryAnn Morris-trained 5yo proved too good for Viksun and Flash Kyvalley. That was a standing start race and the Majestic Son gelding gave his rivals 20m at the start so the mobile conditions and the level playing conditions will be a bonus for Sunny Gee. ANDOVERLOV (6) contested the same race as Sunny Gee last week with the 5yo coming off the 10m hcp. Always prominent Andoverlov recorded a gritty 10.5m 4th and he should be better suited under these conditions so don't dismiss his claims. REGAL ATTIRE (7) has lost his way of late after commencing his career on this side of the Tasman with a few impressive displays. However, the Muscle Hill 4yo has lost his way of late. Back to the mobile and Regal Attire stays in the mix, especially when it comes to exotic combinations. Others to consider in that regard QUEEN OF STRATHFIELD (3) and FLASH KYVALLEY (2).

ALDEBARAN TESS 1, Sunny Gee 2, Andoverlov 3, Regal Attire 4.

  - FORM ASSESSED BY MIKE KO'CASS