Victoria Cup hopeful Hi Manameisjeff will be gunning for a hat trick of wins off a long stint on the sidelines when he heads to Menangle for Saturday night’s Kevin Robinson Free For All.

The 10-race program also features the semi finals of the NSW Breeders Challenge series for the two-year-olds and the four-year-old mares.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday October 11

Race 1: ULTRA AIR PACE

OUR VINCENT CAN GOGH (7) showed good improvement when he came from a similar draw for second here last week. Placed the only time he attempted this longer distance and has won third-up before so should be close to his peak. Chance at each way odds. DONEGAL LUTHER (5) was just behind Our Vincent Can Gogh when placed last week and the prior form was strong, winning three of his previous five attempts at this circuit. Can challenge. PETES SAID SO (11) was midfield in a strong line-up last week. Starts from the outside barrier but will enjoy the class drop. UNFAZED (8) has put together a string of top-four finishes including a couple of wins and owns a good record at this longer distance.

Race 2: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE

HEZA PUNK ROCKER (8) is a Group 1-winning Victorian who makes his first visit to this circuit. Came from a similar draw to this to miss by just a nose when resuming at Melton so will be improved by that and the stable is always hard to beat when they head north. LIEUTENANT ARDEN (5) takes a step up in grade but is progressing strongly, making it back-to-back wins at this circuit and distance when leading to get home by just over a metre last time. Has the speed to push forward again and could prove hard to catch. OUR SAYDIE KAY (1) wasn't far away in a Listed race for the mares last start and came from very wide to miss narrowly prior. She should enjoy the favours from the inside draw. CLASSIC ELEGANCE (2) will be fitter for three top-four efforts this time in and draws to be competitive again.

Race 3: CLUB MENANGLE KEVIN ROBINSON FFA (LISTED CLASSIC)

HI MANAMEISJEFF (6) has looked good in coming from the widest barrier to win his two starts here off a long spell, the latest when he worked to the front over this distance before getting home by 1.2m. Starts from the middle of the line this time and strikes at 50 per cent when third-up so can land the hat trick. HORN PLAYER (2) returns off a successful hit-and-run trip to Melton where he came from wider to win the G3 Caduceus Classic. Had put together a series of good efforts here prior and draws to advantage. RIPP (3) has been very good from wide barriers in his last two outings at this circuit and distance, winning two back before a last-start second to Hi Manameisjeff. The better draw could see him turn the tables. OLIVER DAN (11) was checked and broke in the Len Smith Mile last start but was brave when racing wide but proving too good here prior.

Race 4: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL

ARK SEA (3) is an exciting filly who was ultra impressive in her resuming win at Bathurst, romping home by 24m. She has been kept up to the mark with a trial since and her only defeat in four starts came when runner-up against the boys in the Protostar in Brisbane. She'll be hard to stop from the low draw. EYE WISH (4) is showing good promise having led to win her two starts at Wagga so far. Can push forward again from this draw so expect her to be in the finish. ONE MORE REASON (8) is a consistent filly who added to a string of wins and placings when she came from a similar barrier to win her heat here last time. Can be competitive again. YIRRADIVA (2) continued her consistent form when she went close from this draw last start.

Race 5: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES - SEMI FINAL

Victorian filly DEGARMEA TEALE (3) stretched her unbeaten run to three when she led from a similar draw and dug deep to get home by 3m in her heat at this circuit and distance. That was her first outing for four months so it will have improved her and she gets the chance to dictate from this barrier. SPARKLING SEA (9) draws wide again but overcame this barrier for a 3.4m win in her heat at this circuit and distance last month, her first outing since a second in the Gold Tiara. Talented and has upside. WHERES MY REASON (1) missed by just a nose when she came from the back row last start. Recorded a win from this barrier and a second in the Blue final in her previous two outings here so can be competitive along with OSHLEY (4) who came from much wider in her last-start fourth.

Race 6:  NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI FINAL

Gold Crown winner MESSAGE BANK (5) made it three from three when he worked forward from the back row to find the front before posting a 7m win when resuming at Bathurst. Talented and the better draw gives him every chance to maintain his perfect record. NOCTURNAL (3) is yet to miss the top-three this time in, proving too strong with a 2m win in his heat at this circuit and distance last start. Reliable and a good draw can see him in the finish again. WHERESWALLY (8) stretched his unbeaten run to three when leading to win his heat by 3m at Bathurst last start. Draws wider but has potential. A BUCK TEN (6) has placed in all three starts this time in, sticking on well behind Nocturnal last start. Go well again.

Race 7: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS - SEMI FINAL

Exciting colt HOLLYWOOD STRIP (3) was very impressive in winning his heat at this circuit and distance last time out, leading from a wider barrier to cruise home by 12m. That was his third win from as many attempts and he has the gate speed to take advantage of the low draw. Can deliver again. DYNAMITEDAN (11) cops the outside barrier but is a promising colt who worked forward to lead before winning his heat at this circuit and distance by close to 6m when resuming. Fitter and if things go his way he could challenge. SENTOSAR (1) covered ground when he placed behind Dynamitedan last start. Should enjoy better favours from the inside draw. MYDNIGHT (6) dug deep at Newcastle last start to make it three from three this time in, all of them at this distance. Can be competitive despite a wider draw.

Race 8: SKY RACING PACE

SHEZ SWEET LOUISE (3) looks close to a win after missing narrowly at her last two starts, fighting well to miss by a head in the Listed Frith Ladyship Stakes at this circuit and distance last week. Tackles the boys this time but draws well and should be hitting peak fitness fourth-up. MAURLEN BOY (4) put the writing on the wall when beaten only 1.3m in this grade here last week. Could challenge in what looks a suitable assignment, RAGING SEA (6) won from the back line two back at Bathurst and came from a similar barrier to this when runner-up here last week. Contender. VINKE B (7) was caught wide last start but had looked close to a win prior so is worth another chance.

Race 9: NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO MARES - SEMI FINAL (PRELUDE)

LUX AETERNA (6) made a winning return off let-up last week, coming from a wider barrier and digging deep to beat a handy field of mares for a Listed win. That took her record at this circuit and distance to seven from 10 and she should be better for the outing so can back it up. GOLLY GEE FELLAS (7) relished the drop to this distance when she led to score by more than 6m here last week. Draws wider but is race fit and could go on with it. LUVARESCHS (3) was only 4m behind Lux Aeterna last week and draws closer to the pegs so can improve. SIREN SEA (2) draws much better than last start and looks suited back against the mares.

Race 10: SUCCESS STUD ALL YOUR HORSE BREEDING NEEDS TROTTERS MOBILE

FAMILIAR TRICKS (6) rises in grade but it is impossible to knock what he has been doing this time in, recording a fourth straight victory at this circuit when leading from a similar barrier to take out the Carousel Final over this distance last start. Should push forward again and can take this next step. SHEETWEB WEAVER (7) found form when he proved too good for some smart rivals with a 4m win in the G3 Menangle Park Trotters Cup at this circuit and distance last time. Had the benefit of the front mark there and switches to a mobile start but could go on with it now that he is back in winning form. HOT TO TROT (4) returns after two months but should be ready to go having won two recent trials here. COURAGE STRIDE (8) draws wide but is working towards a win.

BEST BETS:

Race 8 #3 Shez Sweet Louise – Building towards a win and gets her chance from a good draw.

Race 9 #6 Lux Aeterna – Strong fresh winner last week and draws closer to the pegs.