3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for April 10.
Major metropolitan meetings are today held at Randwick, Doomben, Caulfield, Morphettville and Ascot.
RANDWICK: RACE 8 @ 3:55 PM
NATURE STRIP (2) starts as favourite looking to defend his 2020 TJ Smith Stakes success. Follows the same campaign path as last season arriving third up after contesting the Black Caviar Lightning and the Challenge Stakes. Was beaten narrowly as odds on favourite in the Challenge Stakes by Eduardo who had to break the 1000m Randwick track record just to deliver a nose victory and has franked the form with a dominant Galaxy win. Nature Strip in the meantime like in 2020 has been kept ticking over with a soft Randwick trial. Expect a big display. MASKED CRUSADER (5) is the new kid on the block having ascended to Group 1 level in claiming the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 19. Is a horse on the up. EDUARDO (3) goes from strength to strength under the care of Joe Pride. Should be peaking third up and can remain unbeaten this prep. BIVOUAC (1) has been a shade below his best so far this campaign however is a multiple Group 1 winner who must still be respected.
SELECTIONS: Backing Nature Strip.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Randwick Card.
DOOMBEN: RACE 3 @ 12:53 PM
CLOAK (1) made a strong return when finding the line well to place behind good mare Vanna Girl in open company and will be improved by the outing having won two of three previous second up attempts. The longer trip suits and he was in fine form last campaign putting four wins together. Maloney is back on having won three of four rides. Strong claims. SEEINGISBELIEVING (4) has been close up in both runs since a spell, the latest a 1.3 length fifth over 1600m at this track. Peaking third up so can threaten. FOREIGN TERRITORY (5) scored last time by 1.8 lengths at Sunshine Coast, his third win from his past five starts. Respect. BAREFOOT (6) was an improver second up and can progress again with added fitness. KUBRICK (3) is also in the mix. SELECTIONS: Cloak to win off a pleasing return.
MORPHETTVILLE: RACE 7 @ 3:56 PM
It is a Port Adelaide Guineas with a good colt meeting a good filly. CHICA FUERTE (13) controlled the Alexandra Stakes. She found her right form once at the mile. Just needs to get that added furlong. LET'S KARAKA DEEL (1) will be strong. He possibly should have won the Victoria Derby or been placed. He was excellent on resumption at Mornington. ECUMENICAL (14) is the other filly well liked. She has the local form. Gets the cheap run in this. IRONEDGE (7) is a staying type so will hit the line hard. VALANETTI (15) could well be in the same boat from the same stable. SELECTIONS: Going to back Lets Karaka Deel.
ASCOT: RACE 6 @ 3:15 PM
ABSOLUTE (8) closed off nicely when beaten 1.5 lengths last time here. Has Pike and the inside draw. Will be charging through them late. BEAU ZOOM (10) was in the money last start when second at this track over 1200m and should be at peak now. Appeals as a leading player. SOME SORT (3) placed third by 1.2 lengths last start when first up at this track and should be prominent. Blinkers added and expected to feature. SWEET ANGELINE (5) scored by a neck last start at Albany and should race on the speed. Can gibe a sight at odds. ANGELIC MISS (9) is resuming on the back of a trial and can sneak into the finish.
SELECTIONS: Keen On Absolute.
CAULFIELD: RACE 9 @ 5:25 PM
PLATOON (5) was outclassed in the Australian Cup two runs back. Settled well back in the Listed Golden Mile over this distance at Bendigo last time then rattled home late to get up for second Racked up two wins and 11 placings at black-type level in WA. Hard to toss in this company. HI STRANGER (9) came wide and battled on well when just outside the placings in the Bendigo Golden Mile last time out. Very fit now after four runs back and stays on the limit. Clear threat the top pick. PLEIN CIEL (7) failed to run on when resuming in a Listed race over 1400m at Flemington five weeks ago. Worth noting his second-up record reads seven starts for four wins. Likely improver. EXCELMAN (11) has found the line well at both runs this prep in easier races. Ready to peak today and drops a massive 8kgs to compensate for the stiffer opposition. Each-way shout at odds.
SELECTIONS: Very keen on #5 Platoon.
