ON THE PACE: Wide alleys a concern across five Regional Championships heats

Coleambally trainer Ellen Bartley was far from pleased with how Western Sonador (eight) and Brooklyns Best (seven) have drawn in their respective heats at Wagga on Friday.

"It definitely makes it harder," Bartley said.

"Brooklyn Best's race is not as hard as Western Sonador's is but I would have liked them to draw a nicer what they did.

"They one with no gate speed (Rocky Branach) drew the best (in three)."

However she is pleased with how they all come into the series.

Western Sonador has won four of his five starts for Bartley but has only drawn inside barrier six once, his only loss.

The four-year-old is one of three horses in the first heat who are looking to make it a hat-trick of wins to qualify for the group one.

"He drew one at Bathurst but we didn't really use him out of the gate and he's never really drawn good since we've had him," she said.

"He's had to be versatile which is a big advantage and you can make up your mind on how you drive him and don't have to stick to one plan."

Brooklyns Best is also a last start winner but was scratched from the West Wyalong Cup last month.

However Bartley believes she's back on track.

"Her work has been really good and it will be interesting to see how she handles the longer distance" she said.

"She is a lot older now and matured so I don't think it will be a problem for her."

Chris McPherson's Rocky Creed also drew eight in the third heat.

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DAVID Kennedy and Jackson Painting will be looking to extend their hot streak with Whereyabinboppin on Friday.

The pair have won the last four races they've entered with doubles at Wagga's last two meetings.

Whereyabinboppin it out to make it five wins on the trot after drawing barrier two in the second of the Regional Championship heats.

Painting is pleased with how he's on since an impressive win in the West Wyalong Cup last month.

"He's working super since his last run so it is all systems go there," Painting said.

"Hopefully we can get the money on Friday."

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MARK Cullen tasted almost immediate success with Mustang Dude at Wagga on Monday.

The four-year-old hadn't finished any better than fifth in six starts for Glenn Wilmot but has scored a third and then a win in his starts for the Young trainer.

He just held off to Nifty Jolt to win by a head.

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FORMER Riverina horsemen Grant Forrest and Cameron Hart combined for more success at Menangle on Tuesday.

After scoring Eratigena's first win last month, the pair took out another trotting race this time with Sally Em.

It was the first time the mare had been placed in nine career starts.

Later on the card Hart finished second with Has The Courage in the first of the Metropolitan Regional Championships heats.

The $126 chance was beaten 11.4 metres by First String.

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DEMETER added another Queensland win to her resume on Tuesday.

After winning on debut at Albion Park last month, the Leeton-owned mare appreciated the step away from Saturday grade to score an all-the-way win.

It was her eighth win in 36 starts with another 15 placings.

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MASSIVE nominations continue to be received for regionalised racing at Wagga.

For Monday's meeting restricted meeting added to the calendar about Riverina clubs pooled their resources there were 132 nominations received.

Friday's meeting saw 109 nominations for the eight-race card with 50 of those for the first round of Regional Championship heats.

The first is at 12.43pm.

Nominations for Wagga's meeting on Tuesday close on Friday.

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