Menangle harness racing
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
The major talking point at Menangle on Tuesday surrounds the time the flying Balraj will run in race three.
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The former Kiwi 3-year-old set tongues wagging when he broke the all-age track record at Newcastle three weeks back.
After racing without cover, driver Robbie Morris let him loose at the 700m and he raced away to win by a remarkable 56m in 1:50.9 for the mile.
That's roughly equivalent to a 1:48.5 mile at Menangle and the track and Australasian record for a 3yo is 1:49.6 set by Muscle Factory in January earlier this year.
Trained by Shaun Simiana, Balraj is now unbeaten in three starts on these shores (with cumulative winning margins of just on 90 metres) and connections have been enticed with a six-figure offer for the son of Art Major.
He will be at Winx-like odds but is a rising star and certainly one follow.
Race 5
HEZA CONMAN (Brad Abbott): Raced 3 pegs when 24m 5th Peraki Lincoln here last week. Not likely to trouble similar field again.
GLENCOE REIGN (Simon Bigeni Jnr): Has been placed only twice in 17 starts this season and the 9yo is way out of his depth here.
MISHON CONTROL (David Thorn): Led/won 2yo Bankstown at 2nd start Aug 17 then resumed with encouraging 12m 3rd Star Major at Penrith Jul 25. Definite improver.
SEDSO (Bruce Fox): Unplaced 4 times since beating weak lot at Maitland and looks to be safely held here.
TICK OF THE CLOCK (Brooke Wilkins): Unplaced all 3 runs here, latest never a threat 20m 4th Peraki Lincoln last week. Prefer at the provincials.
MISS PEUDIEPIE (Jarrod Alchin): Well beaten twice with excuses since odd-on debut win at Penrith May 9. 3yo filly with ability but this not easy.
BLAZE EDITION (Wade Judd): Every chance twice at Bathurst since 8m 3rd Backintown (1:53.8) here Jul 2. May sneak another place with right run.
JAMAICAN RESORT (Ricky Hunt): Failed in strong 3yo company here last Satirday and a better showing here would not surprise.
STEFNOLI (Michael Doltoff): Forget Newcastle failure after hard run and rates highly on seconds here to Obi One and Typhoon Stride respectively.
PERAKI LINCOLN (KerryAnn Morris): Chased winner odds-on neck 2nd Obi One here at Aust debut then led for 1:53.7 win here last week. Smart 4yo on the way up and pay to follow.
BRACKEN KNIGHT (Paul Fitzpatrick): 3yo colt odds-on to win first 2 starts at Penrith before fancied from back row 24m 6th Star Major (1:56.5) Penrith 1720m Jul 25. Looks a danger.
Race 6
AYMAR (Bevan Pringle): Led when 14m 5th Cruzy Dude (1:55.1) Newcastle Jul 29. Not won for over 2 years and outclassed here.
ROCK THE PARTY (Shane Sanderson): Behind leader to beat Tsunami Charlie in 1:56.9 Penrith 1720m Jul 18. Improver but this is much harder.
SHEER MODERN (Kevin Pizzuto): Safely held 11m 2nd Battle Chimes at Newcastle before outside leader 7m 2nd King Triton at Penrith Aug 1. Driver sticks from the 3 stable representatives.
CHEZMAC (Kerry McDowell): Led 7m 2nd Better Than Grange Bath Jul 24 then led 1:57 Newcastle mile win Jul 29. This is a tougher assignment.
GOODDEALEHEMILY (James Rattray): Tidy effort second-up when trialled leader 4m 3rd Times Stride (1:54.2) here Jul 9. Has early speed and ready to strike.
HELLOFALASS (Darren Hancock): Excellent effort 5m 3rd Wahs Fire Bug (1:53.3) here last Sat. Improving type and sure to make her presence felt here.
COURAGEOUS BECQUI (Kevin Pizzuto): Had economical run and failed to threaten 25m 4th Regal Rock at Newcastle Jul 29. Fast early but needs to do better.
SHEISWATCHING (Rickie Alchin): Scratched.
NEW YORK RAIN (Kerry McDowell): Led and disappointing odds-on 25m 3rd Regal Rock (1:53.9) Newcastle Jul 29 considering she won here in 1:53.8 in a NR up to 120 Jul 13. Hard to beat.
BESOCIAL (Michael Teuma): Restrained and never likely 15m 6th Cruzy Dude at Newcastle but earns consideration on leading (from gate 6) at Penrith for stylish 1:57.8 win Jul 25. Draw hurts.
BALFAST (Kevin Pizzuto): Struck trouble and retired Penrith Aug 1 after first-up 13m 4th Attacknrhythm at Penrith Aug 1. Needs luck.
Race 7
TIGHTROPE (Troy Williams): Well beaten in all 5 starts since resuming, latest 14m 6th Plata O Plomo (1:53.4) here Jul 27. Hard to recommend.
IDLE HANDS (Troy Williams): Fast early but not likely to trouble these after being unplaced past 11 starts, latest 18m 8th Plata O Plomo here Jul 27.
MAKE MINE JOE (Shane Sanderson): Disappointing with only 1 placing from past 10 starts since M0 2300m win here from behind leader Mar 9. Follow market moves.
FRANCO TARIQ (Shane Sanderson): Was 6m 4th Controversial Jul 23 before 24m 6th Mark Dennis (1:51.4) here Jul 30. Has the speed to threaten with right run.
MEGS FERRARI (James Bates): Fast early. Not won in 14 starts this season but capable of running a bold race at odds if he can lead here. Stable in form.
INTRANSIT (Steve Turnbull): Better than form suggests and looks really well placed here. Overlook last run at Bathurst and close up here 3 times before that. Big show.
FOREVER TEXAS (Peter Rixon): Opportunist who is never far away. Beat Lively Hero in 1:52.5 here in June and 2 starts back 1m 2nd Controversial Jul 23. Each-way.
STIRLING WILLIAM (Joe Conolly): Luckless 4m 6th Deano Robyn here Jul 16 then fancied when only 10m 6th Controversial Jul 23. Not to be taken lightly.
LIVELY HERO (Ian Wilson): Backmarker. Came from rear for encouraging 14m 3rd Mark Dennis is fast 1:51.4 here last week. Dangerous with right run.
OVERLAP (Leon Jurd): Front runner fitter by 2 runs from behind since resuming. Latest midfield trail 22m 5th Mark Dennis last week. This grade is easier.
CONTROVERSIAL (Dennis Upton): Strong finish to win here 2300m then backed that up with similar run 11m 2nd Mark Dennis last week. Going really well.
Race 8
ELROY JETSON (Leon Jurd): Back in claimer after 4 handy runs here in stronger company. Looks well placed and should go very close to winning.
SOUTHERN GNP (Darren McCall): Backmarker not won a race in over 66 starts. Every chance 3 pegs 12m 3rd Plata O Plomo (1:53.4) here Jul 27. Tested.
JONAH JONES (Amanda Turnbull): Worked hard to lead before tiring 12m 5th El Gran Senor at Bathurst Jul 31. Beaten fav. here this grade previous 2 runs. Proving costly.
FAT PROPHET (KerryAnn Morris): Enjoyed good run and every chance 1m 2nd Gotta Go Henry (1:54.6) here last week. Wins are spaced and is nearing another one.
MAJESTIC MAJOR (Shane Sanderson): Sent out favourite at first run for stable for all-the-way win Penrith 1720m Jul 11. Brained them last time to win by 43m. Will be hard to run down.
EL GRAN SENOR (Steve Turnbull): Enjoyed good trail and finished best to beat Sams Express in 1:57.7 Bathurst 2260m Jul 31. Always a threat in this grade with right run.
OH I AM THE ONE (Brad Abbott): Fast beginner. Behind leader 2m 2nd Thunder Dance (1:52.1) in M1 here then unplaced twice in similar company. Will appreciate a return to claimers for new stable.
DON BOSTON (Brad Abbott): Bold front runner. Set customary pace when tiring 6m 6th Gotta Go Henry (1:54.6) here last week. Mixes form but is always hard to run down when he is on.
DEANO ROBYN (Ian Wilson): Close up to Hes Okey Dokey and Gotta Go Henry respectively since beating Under Worked 2300m here Jul 16. Gets back and back to mile here. Needs luck.
HES HES OKEY DOKEY Leon Jurd): Big finish to beat Under Worked in 1:53.1 mile then outside leader 10m last to Gotta Go Henry last week. Dangerous with cover.
UNDER WORKED (John McCarthy): Placed 4 times here this grade since leading to beat Gotta Go Henry and Fat Prophet in 1:52.8. Jul 2. Will make his presence felt again.
