Menangle Race 9

Sootha Sapling Stakes (Listed Classic)

Prize Money: $30,600

Luke McCarthy's Huntsville colt DON HUNTER (2) looks a readymade two-year-old having impressed in winning his last three trials at this circuit and distance, cruising home by a big margin in the latest. Those hitouts will have him ready to go and the low draw gives him every chance to kick off with a win. PASSION AND PAIN (9) draws wide but had a similar barrier when runner-up at his debut two back then progressed to win the Sapling Final over this distance at Newcastle last time. May need some luck but has upside as does THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (4) who kicked off his career with a Victorian win, leading to score more than 2m at Maryborough. Could progress along with RISEABOVETHEREST (3) who draws nicely and did well to score after racing parked on debut.

Distance: 1609m
Class: LISTED CLASS
Track: Fast
Weather: Overcast
Surface: All Weather

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Pretty Privilege (Fr1)
Trainer: Rickie Alchin (Menangle Park)
Driver: Rickie Alchin
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: STAY HUNGRY (USA)

Dam: DARK DIVA (AUS)

Stats

Career

0: 0-0-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

0: 0-0-0

1st Up

0: 0-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

0: 0-0-0

Mobile

0: 0-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

0: 0-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 8-7-6

Comments

Two-year-old colt (Stay Hungry - Dark Diva) making his debut. Finished fourth at Menangle in a trial on February 18 over 1609m. Gets the ace draw and may be competitive from there.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 6	18/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Rickie Alchin	1:54.60	-	28.8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Don Hunter 2. Dance The Niteaway 3. My Ultimate Jed
1st of 8	4/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Rickie Alchin	2:02.50	-	5.3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Pretty Privilege 2. My Ultimate Jed 3. Lochinvar Coogee
6th of 8	28/1/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Rickie Alchin	2:03.70	-	22.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Billy Ideal 2. Ferocious Lover 3. Dublin City Rambla

Don Hunter (Fr2)
Trainer: Luke McCarthy (Cobbitty)
Driver: Luke McCarthy
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

Driver In Form

2 yo Bay/Brown Colt

Sire: HUNTSVILLE (USA)

Dam: MISS HALFPENNY (AUS)

Stats

Career

0: 0-0-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

0: 0-0-0

1st Up

0: 0-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

0: 0-0-0

Mobile

0: 0-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

0: 0-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 9-11-7

Comments

Two-year-old colt by Huntsville out of Miss Halfpenny on debut. Won a trial by a big margin at this circuit and distance on February 18. Looks big on talent and should get every chance from the low draw.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	18/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Luke McCarthy	1:54.60	-	23.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Don Hunter 2. Dance The Niteaway 3. My Ultimate Jed
1st of 8	4/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Luke McCarthy	1:58.50	-	1.6m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Don Hunter 2. Birdsong 3. Mcweapon
1st of 8	21/1/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Luke McCarthy	1:57.50	-	11.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Don Hunter 2. Rockngrohl Dave 3. Riseabovetherest
2nd of 7	29/10/25	Menangle	1609m			-	Luke McCarthy	2:02.00	-	5.9m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. My Ultimate Diego 2. Don Hunter 3. Tamdock

Riseabovetherest (Fr3) 1
Trainer: Miller Youkhana (Menangle)
Driver: Joshua Gallagher
Prize Money: $8,100
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

2 yo Brown Colt

Sire: TINTIN IN AMERICA (NZ)

Dam: RISE ABOVE THIS (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 1-0-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

1: 1-0-0

Mobile

1: 1-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

1: 1-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:57.46

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

1: 1-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 6-8-8

Comments

Was on debut a big 6 m win as favourite (Fr4) at Newcastle (1:57.50) beating No Good Reason in 2yo No NR on February 13 at $1.95 at the bell was 2nd-0.82. Draws nicely so can go well again.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 6	25/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Joshua Gallagher	1:56.20	-	17m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Bordentown 2. Our Ultimate Heidi 3. Soho Sparkle
1st of 7	13/2/26	Newcastle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Joshua Gallagher	1:57.50	1:57.5	6.0m	$1.95f	-	No NR	$15,300	$8,100	1. Riseabovetherest 2. No Good Reason 3. Ifsbutsandbilycans
5th of 8	4/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Blake Fitzpatrick	1:58.50	-	14.5m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Don Hunter 2. Birdsong 3. Mcweapon

Themidnightexpress (Fr4) 1
Trainer: D J Burns (Haddon)
Driver: Jack Callaghan
Prize Money: $3,320
Win / Place: 100% / 100%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: RIDE HIGH (AUS)

Dam: OURLITTLE PRINCESS (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 1-0-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

1: 1-0-0

Non-Metro

0: 0-0-0

Mobile

1: 1-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

1: 1-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:01.70

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 5-8-2

Comments

Was on debut by 2 m when quickly away, (Fr2) at Maryborough (2:07.80) beating Crippa in 0-1 WIN on February 25 at $2.60 at the bell was leading 1.6. Has upside so looking for another good showing.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	25/2/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	D J Burns	2:07.80	2:01.7	2.1m	$2.60	-	0-1 WIN	$6,000	$3,320	1. Themidnightexpress 2. Crippa 3. La Cantatrice
1st of 4	25/1/26	Maryborough	1690m			-	Damien Burns	2:08.15	-	1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Themidnightexpress 2. Maxbeca 3. Fantasy Flight
3rd of 5	1/12/25	Melton	1720m			-	D J Burns	2:06.30	-	22.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Rocknroll Rocket 2. Blackjack Whacko 3. Themidnightexpress

Bordentown (Fr5) 2
Trainer: Narelle McCarthy (Cobbitty)
Driver: John McCarthy
Prize Money: $1,972
Win / Place: 0% / 100%

Recent Trial Winner

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: AMERICAN IDEAL (USA)

Dam: ARTY CHICK (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 0-1-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

1: 0-1-0

Mobile

1: 0-1-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

1: 0-1-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 1-4-4

Comments

Two-year-old colt lining up for the second time. At debut 2nd (Fr3) over 1730m after showing early speed at Bathurst was leading by 4.17 at the bell, beaten 17 m by Birdsong (2:04.40) in 2yo MAIDEN on February 11 at $2.60. Unlikely to threaten in this tougher assignment.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	25/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	J P McCarthy	1:56.20	-	1.4m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Bordentown 2. Our Ultimate Heidi 3. Soho Sparkle
2nd of 8	11/2/26	Bathurst	1730m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Luke McCarthy	2:04.40	1:55.8	17.3m	$2.60f	-	MAIDEN	$11,830	$1,972	1. Birdsong 2. Bordentown 3. Somethingabouthim
4th of 7	28/1/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Luke McCarthy	1:58.10	-	7.8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Rockngrohl Dave 2. Mcchocolate 3. He Is Gold Class

Soho Cruza (Fr6) 8
Trainer: Katie Xuereb (Riverstone)
Driver: Nathan Xuereb
Prize Money: $300
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

Recent Trial Winner

2 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: SOHO TRIBECA (AUS)

Dam: SAVIOUR CLARE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

1: 0-0-0

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

1: 0-0-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

1: 0-0-0

Mobile

1: 0-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

1: 0-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

1: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 1-3-4

Comments

Two-year-old gelding facing the starter for the second time. At debut 8th (Sr1) over 1609m at Newcastle beaten 40 m by Bettorcheckherout (1:57.00) in 2yo No NR on February 20 at $10. Prefer to see again.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 7	25/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Nathan Xuereb	1:57.00	-	0.2m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Soho Cruza 2. Break The Ju Ju 3. Makeawish
8th of 9	20/2/26	Newcastle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	Nathan Xuereb	1:57.00	1:57.0	38.7m	$10	-	No NR	$15,300	$300	1. Bettorcheckherout 2. Passion And Pain 3. No Good Reason
1st of 8	11/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Nathan Xuereb	1:57.80	-	4.6m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Soho Cruza 2. Lochinvar Coogee 3. Unjust Enrichment

Shes A Delaney (Fr7) 12
Trainer: Anthony Frisby (Perthville)
Driver: Anthony Frisby
Prize Money: $8,814
Win / Place: 50% / 100%

2 yo Brown Filly

Sire: CAPTAIN CRUNCH (USA)

Dam: NO ESCAPE (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 1-1-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

1: 1-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

2: 1-1-0

Mobile

2: 1-1-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

2: 1-1-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:57.20

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

2: 1-1-0

Driver Last 50

50: 6-8-3

Comments

Looks well placed in this tougher race, but she was impressive winning two starts back [-+] won by 6 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr4) at Bathurst (2:06.00) beating Del Licious in 2yo 1 WIN on February 18 at $1.45 at the bell was leading 4.26. One of the chances.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	27/2/26	Parkes	1660m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Anthony Frisby	2:07.40	2:03.5	1.1m	$1.30f	9	No NR	$15,300	$2,550	1. Nangara Tulhurst 2. Shes A Delaney 3. Outta The Ordinary
1st of 8	18/2/26	Bathurst	1730m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Anthony Frisby	2:06.00	1:57.2	5.8m	$1.45f	-	1 WIN	$11,830	$6,264	1. Shes A Delaney 2. Del Licious 3. Showemhow
1st of 4	9/2/26	Bathurst	1730m			-	Anthony Frisby	2:09.70	-	6.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Shes A Delaney 2. Captain Kostecki 3. Kings Legacy
1st of 7	22/12/25	Bathurst	1730m			-	Anthony Frisby	2:10.90	-	28.3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Shes A Delaney 2. Lucky Jess 3. Bettor Swing

Playboy Rocky (Fr8)
Trainer: Simon Bigeni Jnr (Wilberforce)
Driver: Klayton Bigeni (C)
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 0% / 0%

2 yo Brown Colt

Sire: ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN (USA)

Dam: ILLUSTRATOR (AUS)

Stats

Career

0: 0-0-0

Distance

0: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

0: 0-0-0

1st Up

0: 0-0-0

2nd Up

0: 0-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

0: 0-0-0

Mobile

0: 0-0-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

0: 0-0-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 3-7-4

Comments

Two-year-old colt by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Illustrator having his first start. Finished fourth in a trial on February 25 at Menangle over 1609m. Will benefit from this experience.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 6	25/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	J G Coney	1:56.20	-	4m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Bordentown 2. Our Ultimate Heidi 3. Soho Sparkle
2nd of 3	16/2/26	Penrith	1720m			-	Klayton Bigeni	2:12.70	-	3.8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Life At Midnight 2. Playboy Rocky 3. Be Happy Larry
1st of 6	2/2/26	Penrith	1720m			-	Klayton Bigeni	-	-	0.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Small Income 2. Playboy Rocky 3. Note To Sarah

Passion And Pain (Fr9) 21
Trainer: Kerryann Morris (Menangle Park)
Driver: Robert Morris
Prize Money: $18,750
Win / Place: 50% / 100%

2 yo Bay Colt

Sire: ALWAYS B MIKI (USA)

Dam: OUR FEMME FATALE (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

2: 1-1-0

Distance

2: 1-1-0

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

3rd Up

0: 0-0-0

Metro

0: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

2: 1-1-0

Mobile

2: 1-1-0

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

2: 1-1-0

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:56.80

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

0: 0-0-0

Driver Last 50

50: 7-3-5

Comments

Last start won by 6 m (Fr4) at Newcastle (1:56.80) beating Bettorcheckherout in 2yo No NR on February 27 at $7.50. Draws wide but he is progressing strongly.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 10	27/2/26	Newcastle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	J G Coney	1:56.80	1:56.8	6.6m	$7.50	7	No NR	$30,600	$16,200	1. Passion And Pain 2. Bettorcheckherout 3. Ifsbutsandbilycans
2nd of 9	20/2/26	Newcastle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Joshua Gallagher	1:57.00	1:57.0	6.3m	$7.00	-	No NR	$15,300	$2,550	1. Bettorcheckherout 2. Passion And Pain 3. No Good Reason
2nd of 7	11/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Robert Morris	1:59.30	-	2.3m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Gunnareason 2. Passion And Pain 3. Micks Cruza
1st of 8	4/2/26	Menangle	1609m			-	Robert Morris	1:59.80	-	0.1m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Passion And Pain 2. Kings Gallery 3. Bettor Elements

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver is getting stuck in

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