3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays for major Australian TAB meetings on February 17.
Australian thoroughbred meetings on Sunday are conducted at Port Macquarie, Nowra, Moe, Werribee, Sunshine Coast, Narrogin and Port Lincoln.
Port Macquarie: Race 8 @ 5:10pm
Tough race to finish but sticking with the Victorian ratings of BELLE XAAR. Former Weir trained mare (although has been in this stable since last spring) and resumes here on the back of a couple of trials. Has won fresh and rates strongly. Expected to be winding up strongly. BOLGHARI has bene in good form with wins at two of three this campaign. Last start winner in a Class 1 and the rider has a great record aboard. Can go on with it. MONACO SNIPER was a fresh up winner then runner up in two since. Has good speed and will take catching despite the tricky draw. OUTSMARTEM is a last start winner at peak and will be winding up hard. TOO EASY BRO is consistent without winning and looks an each way hope. SELECTIONS: Chancing former Victorian #7 Belle Xaar from #1, #2 and #3.
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Werribee: Race 6 @ 3:50pm
GAELIC DREAM resumes for Team Hayes off a Group 3 and showed plenty of ability leading into that. Brings a good trial and is a FU winner. The one to beat with Nolen steering from the low draw. MARY'S PRIDE won comfortably and then came here and found one better after a slow off. Gets back but gets winning rider Meech back on and will be hitting the line. JUST LIKE MUM resumes and won three back on debut. Likely to come back better and gets a handy gate and Ben Allen. TELEMARKETER will be around the mark. SELECTIONS: With #4 Gaelic Dream.
Nowra: Race 2 @ 1:30pm
Jarrett can adopt a forward position. CAPE WICKHAM is one of the better credentialed horses in this race. Beaten but not disgraced in town of late. Three runs back was third to You Make Me Smile at Canterbury. Clearly has a class edge on his rivals. Inside draw offsets the big weight to an extent. In-form rider aboard and he should prove hard to beat. EUGENE'S PICK perhaps needed the run first-up. Strips fitter and up to this distance can run a bold race. Showed good ability last time in. SUPREME POLARITY was fancied in the Bega Sprint last start but never figured. Good stats second-up and this is easier. Can improve. SELECTIONS: Going with Cape Wickham.
Moe: Race 3 @ 1:50pm (AEDT)
NO NEW TRICKS looks hard to beat here. Drawn for a good run and after placing at last two looks close to breaking through. Has fitness and expected to go close. The danger looks to be YULONG TAVION who is a colt resuming. Obviously needs ground and brought on with two recent trials. Looks set for a bold fresh run. TOO MUCH LIP has been edging towards a win and rates a strong each way chance on last start placing. PEMBROKE ISLE was runner up fresh and can only improve off that. PANDORA'S TYCOON can give a sight with the blinkers added. SELECTIONS: Stick with #7 No New Tricks.
Sunshine Coast: Race 4 @ 3:25pm (AEDT)
UNDAUNTED can cross and stalk and made sharp improvement missing a lip 3U at Ipswich. Doubt the rise to the mile will bother and the well-bred gelding looks the one to beat. TAVISFACTION didn’t miss by far 3U this venue coming to this trip. Responded to the blinkers and gets the chance to go one better with a good ride. SERLINA led and was good at Ballina and fitter looks a genuine hope. CAIRNDOW will be improved and may be next best. SELECTIONS: #2 Undaunted is ready to win.
Port Lincoln: Race 3 @ 2:35pm (AEDT)
JOHN'S STRATEGY is fast and has just missed the last two. Was heavily-backed the latest and should be winning today. WICKED KID has been around the mark before the heavily-backed flop at Lock. Back after 7 days and with Clark on for the apprentice can make the finish. BALWARRA SPIRIT missed a nose here LS unexpectedly. Has a hope holding that. Stablemate SHARVANOS was also better last time and is in the mix with the 3kg claim. SELECTIONS: Expecting # 3 John’s Strategy to have them covered.
