Form Analysis by RACING AND SPORTS

Inter Dominion champ Don Hugo will have to overcome the outside barrier if he is to add to his winning streak at Menangle on Saturday night.

Queensland trotters Hide And Seek and Is That a Bid will tackle some smart locals when they head south for the Bay Johnny Trotters Free For All later on the program.

Race 1: ACCESS ENGINEERING SYSTEMS HVAC PACE

Former Kiwi LAVER (8) kicked off in Australia with a dominant win here two back then started a hot favourite but had to settle for second last time, beaten 2.7m. Starts from a similar barrier but should be close to his peak third up so can bounce back. BAINBRIDGE (4) came from a wider barrier when third in the New Years Gift Final last start. Has been flying here this campaign, scoring three wins and a second in his other four outings this time in. Can atone. A break in the score-up proved costly for BLUTO (10) last week but he managed to recover and place. Starts from the widest barrier this time but possesses the early speed to get across and is building in fitness. MAJOR MAJOR (9) draws wider but deserves respect after finding winning form last week. HAVEYOUCHECKEDIN (1) hasn't been far away of late and should get every chance from the inside draw.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

JORDY (3) looks close to another win after back-to-back seconds at this circuit, the latest from a much wider barrier. Had to play second fiddle to race rival King Tintin here two back but has the speed to take advantage of a good draw so can turn the tables. KING TINTIN (5) is two from two this time in, leading to cruise home fresh at Goulburn then coming from this draw to get home by just over a metre here last start. Expect him to push forward again and he will be close to peak fitness third-up so is a big chance to land the hat trick. MR TEDDY (10) is flying, completing a winning hat trick when leading throughout here last start. The wide draw presents more of a challenge but winning form is hard to knock. SUPERSEDE (4) was far from disgraced when back from a long layoff last time. Fitter so can progress. BARTELLO (9) cops a wide draw but is race fit and deserving of respect after winning here last week.

Race 3: ALWAYS ALLCOTT FFA

DON HUGO (11) makes his first appearance since dominating the Inter Dominion series where he won his last two heats before a tough victory in the Group 1 final here in December. That took his record at this circuit and distance to four from five and while he has had six weeks off he has been kept up to the mark with a trial win. Draws wide but has the class to overcome it. CAPTAINS KNOCK (10) was also strong through the Inter Dominion series, winning two heats before locking wheels in the final. He has run an eye-catcher since, racing wide and working from this barrier but hitting the line strongly for second last week. That hitout could give him the fitness edge. MAX DELIGHT (9) hasn't raced since placing from the back row in the Inter Dominion final but was kept up to the mark with a trial and has his share of class. TERRY (4) draws better than last week so can be competitive while DOUGS PLATTER (1) is honest and worth including in exotics resuming from the ace draw.

Race 4: CONDELL PARK PRODUCE PACE

MAJOR HOT (10) has the hoof on the till. He was only 4m away in the New Years Gift Final last start and was brave in finishing second despite racing three wide without cover in his previous two outings. Cops the outside barrier but this is winnable with even luck. RESET THE BAR (7) had a tough draw so was far from disgraced in the New Years Gift Final. His other two starts this time in produced a Bathurst win and a placing at this circuit. Peaking now and won his only attempt at this longer distance. PROMISING (9) continued his consistent form when runner-up here last week. Draws deeper but can be in the finish again. VITE MONET (3) has won fresh before and was readied for his return with a trial win. Keep him safe from a good draw.

Race 5: DOWNBYTHESEASIDE - MULTIPLE GROUP 1 SIRE ' DOWN UNDER' PACE

CASH AND BLING (3) is ticking along well having only once missed the top-four in his last seven starts. Was beaten for early speed from the inside draw last start but kept chasing for a 4.3m third. Could find the right position from this barrier so gets his chance to break through. SURF ACE (4) copped the widest barrier last time so is better served by tonight's draw and there was plenty to like about his effort for second here two back. Can bounce back. JOE NIEN (5) has come from wider barriers at his last couple and only went under by a head here two back. The lower draw brings him into contention. MICHAEL CAINE (1) hasn't been too far from the placegetters of late and gets every chance from the inside draw.

Race 6: CLUB MENANGLE BAY JOHNNY TROTTERS FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

ROYAL DAN (1) makes his first appearance since coming from the back row for fourth in the Inter Dominion Final here in December. Had enough speed to hold the lead from this draw two back. He could prove hard to get past. CONSTANTINOPLE (4) wasn't at his best through the Inter Dominion series but did cop some horror draws. Has impressively won a trial since and has won six of eight at this circuit and distance so could show his best from a more favourable barrier. SHES RUBY ROO (2) has switched to the Fitzpatrick stable since tackling a Group 1 in Victoria last start but was a winner at Melton two back. Can measure up from a low draw. HIDE AND SEEK (10) cops the widest draw but has been flying in Brisbane, winning his past four starts. Must respect. IS THAT A BID (3) has been building towards a win in Brisbane and draws to advantage.

Race 7: ULTRA AIR LADYSHIP PACE

SWEET MAMA (4) is really delivering now having recorded a third successive win when she led and kept going to score by 6m at this circuit and distance last start. Draws a few spots wider but she is a mare on the up and is going well enough to overcome a wider barrier. JUST AS WELL (8) has switched to the McCarthy yard since she scored a win at Bendigo three weeks ago. Draws wide but does possess the early speed to get across into a good spot. Can make an immediate impact. PANDAIA (7) is ticking along well, recording a string of placings before a 2.4m fifth at Listed level last week. Draws wider but she is nicely placed coming back in grade. JOELITA (6) hasn't won for a while but she hasn't been too far away of late including a second from a similar draw here two back. Can play a role again. ROLL WITH SLOY (5) placed behind Sweet Mama two back and was a solid fourth against the boys last start. Go well.

Race 8: PRYDE'S EXCEPTIONAL ALWAYS PACE

HORN PLAYER (7) was first up for 11 months when he came from this barrier for an encouraging second at Wagga last week. He is bound to be better for that hitout and has won at this circuit and distance before. Has strong claims in this suitable assignment. STRAVINSKY (9) has taken on higher-graded races in his last two outings but recorded back-to-back placings prior including a second at this venue. Draws wide but is suited in this line-up. ONE FOR THE RODI (8) was a bit below market expectations last week but had been close-up in his previous two outings so is worthy of another chance. RED REACTOR (1) has come from wider barriers to finish midfield in his last few outings. The inside draw can see him competitive.

BEST BETS:

Race 2 #3 Jordy – Has the hoof on the till and gets his chance from a better draw.

Race 8 #7 Horn Player – Fitter for a good return off a long spell and this suits.