Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

Breeders Challenge Final winner Hollywood Strip will have to overcome Vicbred winner Soho Trump, Gold Crown winner Message Bank and Sapling Stakes winner Showmethetanlines if he is to maintain his unbeaten record in a top-class renewal of the Simpson Memorial at Menangle on Saturday night.

The race offers a free pass to the NSW Derby for the winner and also has some Kiwi flavour with Group 1 placegetter Zeus Lightning making his Australian debut.

 

Race 1: LIVAMOL PACE

The marble has fallen nicely for FORCE FULL (1). He hasn't raced for eight weeks but has been readied with a trial win and was racing well here before the let-up including a second from a much wider barrier over this distance two back. This should pan out well for him. HES A MEISTER (2) started at big odds in this grade last week but there was plenty to like about his performance when he came from a couple of spots wider to go under by 3m, following on from a placing two back. Draws to make an impact again. GIPSY PRINCESS (6) goes up in grade but her recent consistency is hard to knock, coming from wider barriers than this for second in her last three outings here. THALASSOPHOBIA (8) draws wide again and rises in class but he continues to perform well with a string of top-four finishes to his name.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

JETTER SON (9) led and ran out of condition when resuming a fortnight ago but he has won two of three previous second-up attempts so expect he will have come on from that. Showed ability when runner-up in both a heat and semi of the Breeders Challenge at this circuit and distance last season. Draws wide but is good enough to beat these. ROMANEE (1) placed for the third time in his last five starts here when third from a wider barrier on Tuesday. Could be close to a win and should get his chance from the ace draw. TUKAHA (2) placed over this distance the last time he raced here last month and was only edged out narrowly in a higher-graded race at Wagga last week. Aided by a low draw. ASTRAL STRIDE (7) hasn't raced since a Eugowra win in September but was readied with two trials. Goes well fresh and has yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance. BARTELLO (10) draws wide but has come back in good order, placing fresh before winning here on Tuesday.

Race 3: YIRRIBEE STUD LADYSHIP PACE

DRAW A DREAM (10) led as a hot favourite in her first outing for Luke McCarthy last week and while she couldn't see it out she boxed on to go under by less than 2m. That was her first outing for eight months and she has won two of three second-up attempts so is sure to be improved. Draws wide but is nicely placed is this lesser grade. Hard to knock the consistency of REFUSAL (5) who was edged out by a nose in a handy line-up last start, giving her three wins and three placings from her last six starts. She can be in the finish again along with SIREN SEA (4) who was just behind Refusal last start and had been close to the placegetters in her previous two outings at this circuit and distance. FARFALLA STRIDE (3) was last seen when winning from a wider draw here in September. Yet to win fresh but was readied with two nice trials and strikes at 50 per cent at this circuit and distance. BABY YOUR THE ONE (9) has been racing consistently on country tracks so deserves respect.

Race 4: CONFEDERATE STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE

ISLA ROCHELLE (3) has had eight weeks off but has trialled and races well when fresh. She was pulled up with a flat tyre when last seen but had some strong form prior including back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance. She should get her chance from the low draw. PABLO ROCKS (8) has the hoof on the till after seconds in two of his three starts so far this campaign, last time racing parked from this barrier and fighting well to go under narrowly. Big chance to go one better. LENNETH (2) was the horse to beat Pablo Rocks last time and that took his strike rate at the venue and distance to 50 per cent. Another low draw can see him in the action again. OHOKA COBRA (9) is a interesting newcomer from NZ to the Sofia Arvidsson stable. Draws wide and this is a higher-graded race than what he has been tackling across the Tasman but he has been very consistent, winning his last two. WAHAKA (4) goes up in grade but is in a purple patch of form, winning three on the trot.

Race 5: ULTRA AIR PACE

DOUBLE LOU (5) led from wider for a resuming win at this circuit and distance and was good again when a 1.3m third to an in-form rival last week. Has built an impressive record and races well third-up so can return to the winners' list. There was plenty to like about the resuming win of SINALOA (8) who came from one spot wider and covered ground but was too good by more than 2m at this circuit and distance. That was his first outing since his second to Double Lou in the Breeders Challenge Final last October. Fitter and could go through his grades this time in. DOUGS FLAME (2) looks close to a win having finished runner-up in his last three starts here, coming from wider to beat Double Lou home when missing narrowly last time. OOGA CHAKA (4) deserves respect having produced two nice efforts since coming from wider for a win at this circuit and distance. A class drop and the ace draw gives OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (1) every chance to show more.

Race 6: WARDS ACCOUNTING GROUP PACE

BAINBRIDGE (6) has been freshened since tackling a couple of topliners in the Goulburn Cup but had good form here prior, finishing fourth at Listed level two back. Came from the outside barrier to miss narrowly the last time he attempted this grade so is suited back in class. CRAFTMANS CHARLIE (10) had enough speed to work to the front before going on to win by 5m in this company last time. Draws a couple of spots wider but he is going well. BEACH BALL (11) was beaten as a hot favourite last week at Newcastle but only missed by a head, giving him placings in both starts since spell. Draws deepest but is building in fitness. HUTA (4) goes up in grade but can give a sight again after leading to win by nearly 3m at this circuit and distance last time out. JAY OK (9) is working towards a win having missed narrowly from a similar barrier last week.

Race 7: CLUB MENANGLE SIMPSON MEMORIAL (LISTED CLASSIC)

SOHO TRUMP (2) ended his juvenile season with G2 Vicbred final win at Melton in November where he led from a few spots wider, taking his record to three from four. Has won both previous fresh attempts and should be ready to go off two trial wins. Scored the only time he raced here and has the speed to take advantage of the draw. Unbeaten colt HOLLYWOOD STRIP (6) makes his first appearance since stretching his winning streak to five with a Group 1 Breeders Challenge Final victory at this circuit and distance. Has some speed drawn inside him but a trial win suggests he is back in good order. SHOWMETHETANLINES (9) came from this barrier to win at Newcastle last start and also drew wide when easily winning the Tatlow Stakes here in November. Strong record at this distance and is on the up. ZEUS LIGHTNING (7) is a talented Kiwi who has been Group 1 placed. Chased Soho Trump home at the trials. Could measure up. SOHO PARK AVENUE (4) was consistent last time in and draws to be competitive.

Race 8: MULTIQUIP AGGREGATES PACE

ALTA BILLY (5) could be ready to show something third up. Was a fair way off the winner in the Junee Cup last start but drew on the back row so was far from disgraced when midfield. Should strip fitter again and this looks a more suitable assignment. DUTY OF CARE (1) backs up off a strong showing from this barrier on Tuesday when edged narrowly at this circuit and distance. This is a higher-graded race but that effort put the writing on the wall. COMPETE (9) is an interesting runner switching back from Queensland as he draws wide but has won five of 10 attempts at this circuit and distance. CASH AND BLING (6) is another backing up have finished only 4.3m away on Tuesday. His best would measure right up here. GOODTIME BRAVO (2) started at big odds but wasn't too far away from this barrier here last start. Could be competitive in this line up.

Race 9: AINSWORTH A-STAR TROTTERS MOBILE

JUNGLE EYES (7) only beat one home last week but did chase some strong opposition. Made a good return off a let-up when winning the Goulburn Cup prior and had been consistent with a string of top-four finishes here late last year. This is winnable with his best. VIRGINIA CLOWERS (6) switches to the Blake Fitzpatrick yard from Victoria where she has been chasing strong rivals of late. Won the only time she raced here and her best form would measure up. MALIBUU (4) hasn't raced since October but owns a decent record here. Readied with a trial and has won when fresh before so looking for a good return. I AM HELLBOUND (8) is another that has been racing in Victoria, joining Scott Hewitt since a last-start fourth at Cranbourne in December. Comes in fresh but has trialled and owns a solid record at this distance.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #10 Draw A Dream – Fitter second-up and looks well placed at this level.

Race 4 #3 Isla Rochelle – Goes well fresh and has the speed to take advantage of a good draw.