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Talented former Kiwi Im The Falcon can maintain his perfect record at Menangle when he steps up to Listed level and tackles some smart rivals in the PJ Hall Free For All on Saturday night.

The program also sees some progressive pacers line up in the heats of the New Years Gift.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday January 4

Race 1: AINSWORTH PACE (NEW YEARS GIFT HEAT 1)

SMOOTH BUZZ (4) was no match for superstar Swayzee in the G3 Shirley Turnbull Memorial at Bathurst last start but he did well to beat home some handy pacers and clock in second. That continued his consistent form having placed behind the progressive Im The Falcon in his previous two outings at this venue. This suits. JOELITA (6) is a handy mare who looks close to a win off back-to-back placings here. Runner up in a Listed race for the mares two back then drew wider and raced three deep when third last time. Big chance. RESET THE BAR (7) took his record to five from eight when leading for a fresh win at Bathurst. Up in grade and draws wider but has plenty of upside. HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (5) brings solid form from Brisbane and owns a decent record at this distance.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

MIKI PINS (6) is a progressive gelding who made it three straight wins at this circuit since joining Jason Grimson when he raced parked but proved too strong for some handy rivals over this distance last start. He could be bound for better things and looks nicely placed to add to the winning sequence. JORDY (2) will enjoy a class drop after tackling the G3 Shirley Turnbull Memorial last start and had been racing well before that including a win at this venue three back. He draws to play a role. BLUTO (8) is a talented pacer with a good record at this circuit and distance. Proven fresh and was readied with two trials so looking for a good return. PROMISING (1) has been racing consistently at Penrith and can be competitive from the inside draw.

Race 3: ULTRA AIR PACE (NEW YEARS GIFT HEAT 2)

BAINBRIDGE (3) has been terrific so far this campaign, kicking off with back-to-back wins at this circuit before leading from wider and fighting on for second to a smart one last start. Building a handy record here and can take advantage of the low draw so looks tough to stop. MAJOR HOT (6) showed something like his Queensland Derby-winning form when improving plenty third-up here last start, racing three wide without cover but digging deep to go under by a neck. He is heading the right way now. SHEZ THE REASON (8) draws out but was brave in scoring fresh at Goulburn after racing three deep without cover and has won two of three previous second-up attempts. VINKE B (9) is another drawn deep but did well to come from the back row to win first-up at Penrith.

Race 4: SUCCESS STUD FOR SPELLING YOUR HORSES PACE (NEW YEARS GIFT HEAT 3)

COMPETE (5) is a gelding on the up and made it two wins in a row at this circuit and distance when he led form this same draw and kept going to score by 1.8m last time out. Hard to knock and looks well placed to land the hat trick. PANDAIA (3) is handy mare who was midfield when resuming here two back before placing in an Inter City Pace heat at Maitland after working last start. She has won third-up before so can progress aided by the good draw. ITZMINEONTHELINE (7) found winning form last start at Penrith, leading to score by close to 3m. Has switched the Seaton Grima yard since. Could go on with it. SHADES OF HEAVEN (8) draws wide but deserves some respect off a last-start win.

Race 5:  CLUB MENANGLE P J HALL FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

IM THE FALCON (3) is a progressive gelding who has impressed in winning both of his starts at this circuit and distance since switching from New Zealand. Settled handy from this same draw last time and proved too good for a smart one. Should land in a nice spot again and can maintain his perfect record here. TERRY (1) did a great job through the Inter Dominion series, placing twice in the heats and coming from a wider barrier for fourth in the final here last start. He must be respected. Quality mare AARDIES EXPRESS (7) flies fresh with three wins and a placing from four attempts and her circuit and distance statistics are strong. Tackles the boys but was readied with a trial win and is good enough to beat them with her A-game. Former WA pacer ARMA EINSTEIN (8) ran into a smart one when resuming with a second at this venue, his first outing for the Grimson yard. Draws wider but is open to improvement. STAR MAJOR (2) found winning form here last start and draws well so include.

Race 6:  THE CORDINA GROUP PACE

LAVER (4) is a newcomer from New Zealand to the Brad Hewitt yard. Hasn't raced since September but was tuned up for his local debut with a trial win at Goulburn. Has won at this distance before and finds a winnable assignment first up. CYA ART (8) comes through the Inter Dominion series where his best result was a placing in a heat. He draws wide but is much better placed dropping in grade. KOSIMO (7) came from the outside barrier last start and had little luck. Draws a little lower and has claims off a solid fourth here two starts earlier. MAJOR MAJOR (6) will find this easier than his last attempt and his prior efforts here had merit so can play a role.

Race 7: MENANGLE PARK GLENLEE COMMUNITY TROTTERS MOBILE

The form of SHOULD BEABARCA (4) is hard to knock having added to a string of top-two finishes at this circuit when he dug deep to get home by a head last start. Draws a couple of spots wider but won from a deeper barrier earlier in the campaign. Strong claims again. FOOTTAPPER (3) put the writing on the wall when pushing Should Beabarca last start, missing him by just a head. Starts from inside that rival this time and that gives him the chance to turn the tables. ITZFERGIETIME (8) has placed in both outings this time in, the latest behind the top two selections. Draws wide but is a two-time third-up winner so could peak. WE CAN HAVE IT ALL (10) draws wide for her return but she is capable and goes well fresh so keep her safe off a solid trial.

Race 8: SKY RACING PACE

COOL NIGHT (3) came from the back row in both rounds of the Inter City Pace at Maitland, clocking in second in the heats before a luckless fifth in the final where he was checked and broke and then raced three wide without cover. Produced some good efforts at this circuit prior and should enjoy the good draw. SHEFFIELD SPARKY (6) was good when second here two back then worked to the front for an easy win at Bathurst last start. Draws wider but is going well. THE GREEK GENERAL (1) did a good job to come from the second line for fourth in the Inter City Pace Final last start and placed at Listed level three back. He should get every chance from the inside draw. BARTELLO (4) has a fine second-up record of two wins and a placing from three attempts so looking for improvement.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #3 Bainbridge – In form and draws to control this race.

Race 6 #4 Laver– Trial winner who can kick off in Australia with a win.