A boom filly tackling progressive male trotters from three states creates an intriguing running of the Group 1 NSW Trotters Derby at Menangle on Saturday night.

Keayang Zahara will attempt to complete the Oaks/Derby double but will have plenty of opposition with several last-winners engaged.

Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday May 11.

Race 1: ALLIED EXPRESS COURIER SERVICES PACE

STRAVINSKY (1) hasn't been too far from the placings in his two outings at this circuit since a Newcastle win and led from a couple of spots wider when beaten 4.3m last time. Has the gate speed to take advantage of the ace draw so could prove hard to catch. LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN (6) is another that is fast away from the mobile and led from this barrier when scoring by 6m two back. He was disappointing from a wide draw since then but can bounce back. JILLIBY NITRO (5) did a good job here last week when he went back from a wider barrier but surged home to score by 1.4m. That took his record at this venue to three wins and a placing from four attempts and he races well third up so could go on with it. BOOM (10) draws wide but looks close to a win following back-to-back placings, finishing third from this barrier two back and only missing by a neck since.

Race 2: GARRARDS PACE

NO HEART THROB (9) took his record at this circuit and distance to five from five when he drew widest and raced three wide but was too good with a 7.6m win last time. Tackles a field with a little more depth but he has been impossible to knock since arriving from NZ. Can do it again. SUPER DUPER DUDE (5) sat parked and faded to midfield last time but had finished top-two in his other three starts in Australia including a win here three back. Draws lower than last start so can bounce back. MONTALBANO (6) dug deep when returning to winning form here last week. Draws wider but can play a role again. HEZ DUSTY (1) drew this barrier and raced parked last start but stuck on for a 4m fourth. Can feature again.

Race 3: THE CORDINA GROUP PACE

CLASSY OPERATOR (1) kicked off in Australia with a win two starts back when he led from this barrier and drew away to score easily at Penrith. There was plenty to like about his effort since when he stepped up in class and drew the outside barrier for fourth at this circuit. He has the gate speed to take full advantage of the ace draw. FRANCO PROMACHOS (4) resumes from a spell of 12 weeks after going through his maiden campaign in Tasmania undefeated. Has been readied for his return with two trial placings at Melton. Could pick up where he left off. OUR VINNIE (10) placed in a similar race to this two back then finished midfield in a decent line-up last time. The form through that last race has been franked. Draws wide but is ticking along well. CAPTAIN BLOOD (2) has come from the back row in his last two outings but had this barrier when runner up here three back. Can go well.

Race 4: REMEMBERING ELAINE NICHOLSON LADYSHIP PACE

AMORE INFIDA (6) is a progressive mare who has won her two starts at this circuit since crossing from NZ. Came from this barrier when she spanked her rivals two back then had the extreme outside draw last time but worked forward to lead and kept going. Rises in grade but has plenty of upside so can take that step. MY MOONLITE DREAM (3) disappointed when well fancied last time but did draw wide. Had come from a similar barrier to this when kicking off in Australia with a second here two back so is worth another chance. WINONA WRITER (4) has come back in good order, scoring a 1.4m win at this circuit and distance when resuming. Races well second-up so can go on with it. PANDAIA (7) chased a good mare when placed last week and came from this wider draw when winning her local debut here two back. Player. SWEET COCO (8) is a newcomer to the Trainor yard from NZ. Draws wide but has been readied with two trials so keep safe.

Race 5: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS BULLI TROTTERS CUP

TORO STRIDE (3) should be close to peaking after finishing runner up in both starts at this circuit this time in. Strikes at 50 per cent at this distance so the step up suits. Has won third-up before and gets his chance from the front mark. UTOPIA (9) is a newcomer to the Alchin yard from Victoria. Races well fresh, kicking off the last campaign with a win at Melton and was readied with a solid trial. Can measure up as can MAJESTIC LAVROS (10) who brings strong form from Brisbane where he kicked off the campaign with back-to-back wins before a second last time out. MAJESTIC TRIO (12) starts from the 20m mark but there was merit in last week's resuming effort to place in a G1 for the mares. She can progress off that. FUNKY MONKEY (13) was fourth in that race and is an honest mare deserving of respect.

Race 6: SUCCESS STUD NSW TROTTERS DERBY (GROUP 1)

AJAY VOLSTEAD (5) is a progressive colt who has won both attempts at this circuit, last time leading from a wider barrier and drawing clear to score by 7.6m. That was his third success from just four starts and he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since. He can push forward again from this barrier and land the hat trick. Exciting filly KEAYANG ZAHARA (1) took her unbeaten record to three when winning last week's G1 NSW Oaks where she was shuffled back from this same draw but managed to come around the field and win well. Risks getting locked away again and tackles the boys this time but she is a big talent. THUNDA STRUCK (9) overcame a second row draw for a resuming win at Bendigo and has won a trial since so should have come on. Had a similar draw to this when he ended last campaign with a second in the G1 Breeders Crown Final at Melton. Contender. HEAD EM UP (11) draws deep but heads south off a hat trick of wins at Albion Park. Can measure right up with even luck.

Race 7: BESTINBEDS.COM.AU BILL GREEN FFA

TAIPO (1) was terrific first up when he came from the back row for second in the Merino Cup at Goulburn. He'll be improved by that hitout and should get every chance from the ace draw. Goes on top. CANTFINDABETTORMAN (5) placed from a wide barrier here two back then was edged out by a nose when off the back line last start at Bathurst. Freshened since but kept up to the mark with a trial win. Rarely out of the placings at this circuit. Danger. LINE UP (6) is back in form, winning in a slick time two back at Goulburn before a brave third in the Merino Cup last start. Yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance. Contender. ARDENS ACE (4) has been racing consistently so is an exotic hope along with MALCOLMS RHYTHM (2) who can improve second up from a good draw.

Race 8: SUNKIST PACE

DARK TERROR (9) continues a run of wide draws but he has been performing well, particularly in the latest outing when a 3.6m fourth in a higher-graded race. Was also in stronger company when he placed here three starts back. If things go his way he is up to wining this. WAVETHEBILL (5) will appreciate a drop in class as all of his recent outings have come in higher-graded events. Nice effort last week when only 4.6m away and he owns a good record at this circuit and distance. ROBBIE ROCKET (4) has yet to fire this time in but he drops in grade and draws better than last week so could be an improver third up. OUR UNCLE JIM (8) has some claims off a placing in this grade two back at Penrith.

BEST BETS:

Race 3 #1 Classy Operator – has been good in Australia so far and will relish the ace draw.

Race 7 #1 Taipo – fitter for a terrific fresh effort and is drawn to enjoy all the favours.