Nswhrc at Tabcorp Pk Menangle, Saturday 28 February

Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

Boom mare Captains Mistress can secure her place in next week’s Chariots of Fire by continuing her impressive winning streak in Saturday night’s Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle.

The program also sees Don Hugo going around in the Ultra Free For All as he ramps up his bid to defend last year's Miracle Mile title.

Race 1: SUMMERTIME PREMIUM POULTRY PACE

JOANS RISING STAR (1) was enormous from this barrier when chasing boom mare Captains Mistress for a Group 1 second in the Queen of the Pacific at Melton last start, beating some big names home. Had scored back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance prior. Can add another. DARIN (3) brings some good form from Brisbane having placed in his last two outings at Albion Park. Can measure up aided by the low draw. THE ANSWER (5) continued her good form from last campaign with a resuming second at this circuit and distance, coming from the widest barrier to go under by 1.5m. Draws closer to the pegs and is open to improvement. CLASSIC MISSION (8) hasn't raced since October but produced some good form last campaign and should be ready to go off three trials.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

DOUGS FLAME (2) continues to perform well having come from a few spots wider to go under by just a neck here last week. Deserves a win and should get his chance from the favourable draw. FORCE FULL (5) looks close to a win having placed in his two starts here since a let-up, missing narrowly both times. Draws lower than when edged out last week and should be peaking now. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO (9) will find this easier than his last attempt at FFA level. Came from a similar barrier when winning in this grade at this circuit and distance prior so is better placed. Queensland mare THE VICAR OF DIBLEY (3) gets her best draw for some time and is proven here so could measure up.

Race 3: SUCCESS STUD ALL YOUR HORSE BREEDING NEEDS PACE

SINABUN (10) made an encouraging return when he led and fought on well for third at this circuit and distance. Draws wide so may need a little luck but he should be improved by the fresh effort and has more upside than many of these. RED SAPPHIRE (9) draws wide but came from a similar barrier for a resuming second at this circuit and distance and strikes at 50 per cent when second-up so should be improved. CERISE RAINBOW (5) had to work to find the front at this circuit and distance last start so did well to stick on to place. Had recorded back-to-back wins at Penrith prior. She is up to winning this if things go her way. SHADES OF MIKI (6) did a good job to win first up and goes well at this shorter distance with two wins and a placing from three attempts so respect.

Race 4: PERFECT STING STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE

Boom colt HOLLYWOOD STRIP (3) maintained his unbeaten record in proving too speedy for a handy field when resuming in the Simpson Memorial at this circuit and distance. Should be fitter for the outing and he has the gate speed to take advantage of the lower draw so will be very hard to catch. PERFECT STRANGER (2) continued his good form when fourth here last week and came from this barrier to win at this circuit and distance prior. Can make an impact again. ISLA ROCHELLE (8) kept her manners in check last week and did a much better job for second. Draws wider but should be close to her peak third-up off a let-up. TUKAHA (7) only missed narrowly in a higher-graded race at Wagga last start and scored at this circuit and distance prior. Draws wider but deserves respect.

Race 5: ULTRA AIR FFA

DON HUGO (3) is the clear class runner of this field. Has had three weeks off since a close second to a smart one at Listed level but has been kept up to the mark with a trial win since. Draws ideally and has won six of eight attempts at this circuit and distance including a Eureka and an Inter Dominion final. Hard to go past. HORN PLAYER (4) improved second-up when he came from the back row to place behind the flying Captains Knock in the Murray Cup. Rarely out of the placings at this circuit and distance and is three from three when third-up so should be peaking. Throwing in KINGMAKER (5) at good odds. He has placed in both starts off a spell and is a three-time third-up winner. JAY OK (8) deserves respect off his win from this barrier two back at this circuit and distance when he covered ground but dug deep.

Race 6: PRON8URE PROBIOTIC PALEFACE ADIOS STAKES (LISTED CLASSIC)

Boom mare CAPTAINS MISTRESS (7) has been unstoppable since crossing from NZ to the Jason Grimson yard, winning her four starts by margins of between 18m and 25m. Spanked some of the best mares in the country in winning the G 1 Queen of the Pacific at Melton last start and while she tackles the boys here she is blessed with abundant speed so relishes the mile and her forms stands out. FORTY LOVE (2) was a solid fifth after working from the back row in the 4YO Bonanza last start. Had put together a string of wins or placings prior and he draws for a top-three finish. MY ULTIMATE BARNEY (8) was going well before he was also luckless when midfield after racing wide in the Bonanza. Draws a little deep but has been kept up to the mark with a trial win and is proven at this circuit and distance. CATCHAFIRE (5) rises in grade but was a 2m winner in his first outing for Grimson and could step up. FERNCO NEL (3) is a query off the last-start failure but had looked promising in Brisbane prior.

Race 7: SKY RACING LADYSHIP PACE

TOKYO ROSE (7) ran into a glamour mare but was far from disgraced when fourth in the Group 1 Queen of the Pacific at Melton last start. That was over 2760m so expect her to relish coming back to the mile having impressively won her previous two starts over the distance here. Can return to the winners' list. RIPPLES (3) is a promising filly who was a Group 1 winner as a juvenile last season and made a winning start for Luke McCarthy when coming from a wide barrier to cruise home by 16.5m at this circuit and distance. This is stronger but she draws much lower and has plenty of upside. PRECISE (6) draws deeper than when she placed in a higher-graded race last week but came from a wider barrier than this when scoring at this circuit and distance last month. GIPSY PRINCESS (5) was midfield as a hot favourite last start but had looked close to a win when recording a string of seconds prior so is worth another chance.

Race 8: FARMER JOES WHOLESALE PACE

MAJOR ART (4) has the hoof on the till after seconds in his two Victorian starts since joining Jason Grimson, last start fighting well to miss narrowly at Kilmore. Draws wider but should be peaking now and he goes well at the mile so the distance drop should suit. BARTELLO (2) is going well having come from wider barriers than this in recording a win and two placings in his three starts at this circuit and distance since a spell. This looks stronger but he is race fit and well served by this draw. JALANEEL (1) led from this barrier and stuck on well to be beaten less than 2m as runner-up last week. Can give a sight again. SILVER PISTOL (10) is an interesting newcomer to the Luke McCarthy yard. Draws wide and didn't set the world alight at the trials but he won a NSW Derby heat here last year so keep safe along with COLOSSAL HOPE (3) who rises in grade after winning his first outing for Mick Stanley at Newcastle but he draws well and is progressive.

Race 9: AINSWORTH - AGTSLOTS.COM PACE

Looks a nice race for the Queenslander CATSEYE BEACH (4). He did a good job to come from a wider barrier for fourth in a higher-graded race here last start. Owns a decent record at this circuit and distance and looks well placed in this line-up. IDEAL IN DREAMS (5) came from this barrier when runner-up at this circuit and distance last month and hasn't been far off the placegetters since. She can play a role again. ONEHANDONEBOUNCE (7) may need a little luck from this draw but has been solid in his last two outings here including a 1.5m second over this distance. ROMANEE (1) has been solid of late including a third after racing wide here on Tuesday. May be competitive from the ace draw.

BEST BETS:

Race 8 #4 Major Art – Peaking now and the drop to the mile should suit.

Race 9 #4 Catseye Beach – Has both a class drop and a better draw in his favour.