Nswhrc at Tabcorp Pk Menangle, Saturday 7 February

Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

A low draw looks to give the edge to Don Hugo over fellow Menangle mile specialist Hi Manameisjeff in the J E Binskin FFA on Saturday night.

The meeting also sees two former Group 1-winning juveniles stepping out for new yards with Draw A Dream racing for Luke McCarthy and New Zealander Fugitive on show for Michael Stanley.

Race 1: AGT SLOTS PACE

COASTAL DRIVE (10) was last seen in the Vicbred Super Series at Melton where he came from the back row to place in the Group 1 final in his last outing in November. Won the last time he raced here, taking his strike rate at the circuit to 50 per cent and while drawn wide he should be ready to go off a trial win. SINABUN (6) was very consistent in Brisbane last season, winning two of his last three outings at Albion Park before a three month spell and earlier placing at Group 1 level. Yet to win fresh but was readied with a second at the trials. Could measure up. PERFECT STRANGER (4) found winning form two back at Bathurst before a 2m second at this circuit and distance last week. Draws to make an impact again. CATCHAFIRE (5) won the last time he raced at this circuit three back and has also won the Leeton Cup since, both from wider draws than this. Must respect.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

DOUBLE LOU (1) worked forward from a wide barrier to find the front before going on to a resuming win by 5m at this circuit and distance, his first appearance since winning last October's G1 Breeders Challenge 3CG Final. Up in grade but his strike rate here stands at 50 per cent and he has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw. STILL ROLLIN (5) was very brave at this circuit and distance last week, drawing the widest barrier and racing parked but toughing it out. His lone defeat in three starts here since joining Jason Grimson was a second to boom mare Captains Mistress. A lower draw gives him the chance to strike again. OOGA CHAKA (6) came from wider and worked to score at this circuit and distance last month and since then drew on the second row when runner-up in the Tamworth Cup. Player again. ERUPT STRIDE (8) continued his good form when he came from a similar barrier to place here last time and may enjoy the shorter trip having won at it prior.

Race 3: D M PLUMBING PACE

FUGITIVE (2) is a newcomer to the Michael Stanley stable from NZ where he won five times as juvenile including the G1 Cardigan Bay Stakes. Proven fresh and was readied with a second at the trials. Draws to advantage and looks well placed to kick off in Australia with a win. HEEZA MALTEEZA (8) was last seen in last October's Breeders Challenge series where he won a semi-final before a fourth in the Group 1 final. Has won three of four fresh attempts and should be ready to fire off a trial win. THALASSOPHOBIA (10) continued his consistent form when he missed by just a nose last week. Draws wider but owns a decent record at this longer distance. There was plenty of merit in last week's win of MONTEFIORE (4) from a similar draw. Include along with GIPSY PRINCESS (9) who draws wide but has come from similar barriers for second in her last two here.

Race 4: SUCCESS STUD - SPELLING HORSE SERVICES WARATAH FINAL

JAKOB (3) is a lightly-raced but progressive pacer who came from wider and raced parked when resuming at Goulburn but stuck on well for a 4m second. That was his first outing for more than seven months so it should have improved him and he is aided by a lower draw. The outside barrier poses a challenge for SWEET ROCKY (12) but he is in fine form, scoring well over this distance at Newcastle last start to give him three wins and a second from his last four outings. With even luck he could continue that form. LEXYS ON SONG (6) draws wider than when beating Jakob for a third-up win at Goulburn last start but won over this distance the only time he raced here and should be at his peak. OHWHATIWOULDGIVE (8) was runner-up to Sweet Rocky last start and was a Tamworth winner prior. Could feature in the finish again.

Race 5: CLUB MENANGLE JE BINSKIN FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

The marble has fallen perfectly for DON HUGO (2). He has been freshened since his brave second to fellow topliner Swayzee in the Goulburn Cup and won two in a row prior, one in the G1 Blacks A Fake in Brisbane when downing Leap To Fame and the other here when coming from much wider to cruise home by more than 10m. Has won eight of 13 tries at this circuit and distance and should dictate form the low barrier. HI MANAMEISJEFF (11) has been well-travelled of late, finishing fourth in the Bendigo Cup last start after beating Don Hugo to win the Sunshine Sprint in Brisbane. Draws widest but has won from out there before and is a Menangle mile specialist. HORN PLAYER (10) resumes having won at this circuit and distance two starts back. Yet to win fresh but was readied with a trial win. Smart mare LUX AETERNA (5) finished last campaign with a string of feature wins and has an imposing fresh record. Tackles the boys but has won 9 of 13 at this circuit and distance so may be worth including.

Race 6: AMERICAN IDEAL - WE SALUTE YOUR GREAT LEGACY! LADYSHIP PACE

DRAW A DREAM (5) is a newcomer to the Luke McCarthy yard and while she was out of form last campaign she was a Group 1-winning juvenile so is classy when right. Hasn't raced since June but was readied with a nice trial here and she is unbeaten in three fresh attempts. PRECISE (8) is progressing strongly having won for the third time in four starts so far this campaign when overcoming a second row barrier at Goulburn last Sunday. Draws wide but placed from a similar barrier here two back. THE ANSWER (10) raced well against some good opposition last time in, last seen when second in the G2 Vicbred Super Series 4M Final at Melton on November. Draws widest but strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance. SKY BLU (4) is up in grade but has recorded two wins and a placing from her last three tries at this venue and distance, all from wide draws than this. Queensland visitor THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (9) has won here before so keep her safe.

Race 7: ULTRA AIR PACE

Looks a good race for I BREAK THE LINE (3). He was last seen when fourth from the back row in the Tamworth Cup and was tackling stronger company here prior, highlighted by placings behind topliners Don Hugo and Captains Knock. That is strong form for this and the low draw could allow him to dictate. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (9) was held up when tackling a higher-graded race last week. Draws wide but will be fitter for recent racing. IDEAL MARQUESS (2) has worked his way back into winning form, scoring by 2.5m at Penrith last week. Draws to play a role again. Queensland visitor CATSEYE BEACH (7) has built a handy record at this circuit and distance through previous raids so could measure up.

Race 8: PRYDE'S EXCEPTIONAL ALWAYS TROTTERS MOBILE

WATTS UP PARTYTIME (5) has switched from Victoria to the Rickie Alchin yard since last seen at Group 1 level in October but he is an accomplished trotter having won last year's Great Southern Star. Not always the most reliable in terms of manners but he goes well fresh and two nice trials suggest he is in good order. LONDON TO A BRICK (6) made an encouraging return after six months when he led from one spot wider and boxed on for a 2.5m third at this venue. Owns a good strike rate at this shorter distance and is open to improvement. CONSTANTINOPLE (7) did a good job to come from a 20m handicap for second at Listed level last week. Scored here fresh the last time he raced at this shorter distance so is right in this. SPEEDY LOVER (4) can be competitive again after placing in his last four appearances here.

BEST BETS:

Race 1 #10 Coastal Drive – Ended last campaign with a G1 placing and a trial win will have him ready to go.

Race 7 #3 I Break The Line – Drops in grade and should be able to dictate from this draw.