3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays for major Australian thoroughbred meetings on February 21.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Ballarat, Scone, Goulburn, Launceston, Gatton, Port Lincoln, Werribee and Pinjarra.
LAUNCESTON: RACE 6 @ 5:30 PM
CHEQUERBOARD (1) led all those home that come via the Strutt Stakes on Hobart Cup day. She chased a hot speed that resulted in a track record and had four lengths on MYSTIQUE FALCON (2) in third. The backmarkers gave a big start in that race so she should be able to settle closer this time. She was forced to the trials during the week to retain her ticket. RUSSIAN BY (9) never left the rail at Stony Creek and has the draw to attempt the same here. MY SQUEEZE LOUISE (3) was entitled to win at Kyneton settling on a slow speed as favourite. The runner-up nominated for this race but didn't accept. NORTHERN SPIRIT (6) settled in an impossible position in the Strutt and may have given third a shake with clear running room at the right times. SELECTIONS: Chequerboard to win.
BALLARAT: RACE 4 @ 3:05 PM
Competitive race. SUPPRESSION (6) looks ready to show his best stepping up to 2000m at his fourth time to the races. The prospect of a genuine early tempo and the inside gate should allow him to travel closer in the run and he looks hard to hold out. BONAMASSA (4) will strip fitter here third up out to this trip after finishing off nicely from back in the field last start when favourite. She should be hard to beat on her home track. DOUBLE DELIGHT (10) has placed at all three runs back from a spell including last start when an odds on favourite. Look for another bold showing in this race. YULONG SHOUT (7) is bred to relish this trip and further and has to be respected here with the Blinkers going on. Keep safe. LADY NELSON (11) is progressing nicely as the distances increase and appeals on an each way basis. SELECTIONS: Suppression has plenty in his favour in this race.GATTON: RACE 3 @ 1:20 PMKOBANG (1) was favourite and just missed here on resumption. Gets the rails today and has plenty up the sleeve. He's set to go one better. WAITAKERE (5) showed much better form resuming at the same track and that also stacks up. Getting to over comfortably from the wide gate is the query with him as well. SEIZETHEMOMENT (3) wasn't far away first up and can improve further here. SELECTIONS: Backing Kobang.
GOULBURN: RACE 3 @ 2:35 PM
ARE ZHU READY (9) is the most experienced horse in the field and gets her chance to break through. Mallyon was on board for the second two starts back and has drawn perfectly in gate two. Will be much fitter third-up and looks a top hope. ORREZA (11) is a two-year-old filly taking on the older horses on debut. Was a good recent trial winner at Hawkesbury and from a good stable. Can win first-up. READAPT (3) was much better last time out when finishing fourth to a smart one in town. Will appreciate the drop in grade here and will be fit third-up. Can't ignore. PLUCK SANS MA (2) is having his first run for the new stable and has been thereabouts in four starts to date. MY LITTLE MIRACLE (6) wasn't far off them at a recent Kembla trial and may show up. SELECTIONS: Are Zhu Ready each-way.
PINJARRA: RACE 7 @ 4:30 PM
BILLY AIN'T SILLY (1) resumes and is promising. Owns two sharp Belmont trials and impressed all three city runs the first preparation. He can work over and box seat and is sure to have come on. MYSTERY MAN (3) won here easily and then missed a nose at Ascot this grade. Was plain the latest in better company and forgiving. Needs a good ride but should be very competitive. BLOW ME OUT (9) resumes off Listed and Group races. Has trialled and goes fresh. Gets a good barrier and watch the market closely. SIOUX CITY (5) can build on the Ascot Maiden win when he led. SELECTIONS: Keen on Billy Ain't Silly.
PORT LINCOLN: RACE 6 @ 4:33 PM
NAVY COMMANDER (2) was very impressive first-up in SA coming off the speed to cut down rivals here in style. He draws a good barrier and has strong appeal. CENTREFIELD (6) was well backed to win his maiden here in October and then well backed again behind Social Media. He draws out but Jason Holder rides. MAIDEN GRACE (4) has a good record this track and trip and beat Bedloe's Island two starts back and gets in well with the claim. BOTTLE AND BIRD (8) was a $2.60 fav last time at Lock when disappointing but has won 2 of 7 this track and trip. SPALDING COVE (1) can improve here with the claim. SELECTIONS: Navy Commander to win again.
SCONE: RACE 2 @ 1:35 PM
PANDORA BLUE (3) broke her maiden status in fine fashion last start over this distance when well-found in betting. Jockey Lisnyy sticks and is from a very good yard. Looks the hardest to run down. AREWERICHENUFF (1) also broke through last time out over this trip. Will strip fitter third-up, drawn well and Weir sticks. Looks the main danger. AREYA TUCHUZY (2) was disappointing first-up but has won second-up before and is having his first run for the new stable. Could be in the mix. BONNIE JOY (4) has been thereabouts her past three and has won over the journey. MANLY HANOVER (8) was much better last start and can continue to improve. SELECTIONS: Backing Pandora Blue.
WERRIBEE: RACE 3 @ 2:50 PM
AEECEE MILLIONS (4) led to the shadows when claimed late at Stony Creek last time. Well placed here and in the right stable. Should be hard to stop. O'WHATAPICTURE (3) has raced just twice and filled a place on each occasion. Can't knock those performances and rates strongly in this. Expected to go close. KHALEEJ (5) was well fancied last start but disappointed at Mornington. Freshened and is back in trip here. Worth another chance. BANJO SHARK (1) was close up in a blanket finish at Stony Creek last time. Looks suited here and must be included in the hopes. SELECTIONS: Back Aeecee Millions.
