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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 31.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Moonee Valley, Gosford, Mt Barker, Warrnambool, Nowra, Echuca and Port Lincoln,
MOONEE VALLEY: RACE 4 @ 6:45 PM
MARCOLT (2) was impossible to miss first up over 1418m at Geelong, coming from last on the corner to storm home and beat all but one. Genuine gelding who was competitive in Saturday grade last prep. Will be hard to hold out over the longer trip off the back of a strong tempo. ALVERDUN (3) improves at each appearance, culminating in a tough maiden win over this course and distance three weeks ago. Meets a deeper field this time but has more to offer. The consistent BRING THE STARS (6) has been freshened up since a tidy second over 2040m here five weeks ago. Good each-way prospects. Last-start Morphettville maiden winner RACE AGAINST TIME (8) is tackling a tougher assignment this evening but could add some spice to exotics.
SELECTIONS: #2 Marcolt is quite short but he does looks a bit better than these.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Moonee Valley Card
GOSFORD: RACE 2 @ 2:00 PM
The well-related NASTURTIUM (1) couldn't have been more impressive on debut winning by over five lengths at Hawkesbury. Will have taken plenty of benefit from that victory and is clearly the one they all have to run down. ESTERHAZY (7) is another to win on debut at Hawkesbury, albeit in slightly less impressive fashion. Looks a genuine top-three contender. SMOKESHOW (8) resumes here and the form she showed last preparation was good enough to feature in this. In the mix. MR POINTER (4) best of the rest with the claim.
SELECTIONS: Nasturtium to win.
MT BARKER: RACE 7 @ 5:37 PM
EURASIA (1) doesn't win out of turn but meets a fairly average lot here and should appreciate the drop in class. He will benefit from a 2kg claim and from the good draw looks to have this field at his mercy. Should be winning this race. SO SCHMICK (2) has needed both his runs back and strips fitter third up. He drops in grade and should be ready to show some worthwhile form. Include in all multiples. LOSING TICKET (3) is another that has lacked race fitness but should now be nearing her peak third up. She has yet to finish out of the money in five races on the course and that record includes two wins. A form reversal can be expected. O'SO TEMPTING (4) just held on to win by a nose in an easier race last start but did win well in this grade three starts back. He usually puts himself into the race early and around this track that is a bonus. He won't be far away.
SELECTIONS: Eurasia win bet.
WARRNAMBOOL: RACE 7 @ 6:00 PM
MR CANCUN (6) was a winner two back then a huge run from last to just miss at Flemington. Well placed here and will be tough to beat. AURORA'S SYMPHONY (7) performed well last start when third at Ararat over 2000m and peaks for this. Trained here and looks the main danger. Stablemate HUMBLE PIE (8) finished in the money last start running third at Moonee Valley and should strip fitter for two runs back. Expected to feature. SPANISH SNITZEL (10) finished just ahead of Humble Pie last time when second at Moonee Valley and also looks ready to hit top form. GUIZOT (1) is worth including.
SELECTIONS: Mr Cancun can atone.
NOWRA: RACE 3 @ 2:49 PM
SHAKA ROCK (2) had been in the top three in four consecutive runs before finishing down the track in a Summer Provincial Final over this trip at Newcastle last start. Watch for a return to form in this far more suitable contest. BUZZ 'N' JOE (7) wasn't beaten far at Wyong in a Bm64 two runs back then he struggled in town last time when stepping up sharply in trip. Far better for that run and back at this level is a serious contender. ALASTOR (6) battled on evenly without threatening over this trip at Wyong recently. Has a good record at the mile so back in grade he is worth considering. AEROBATIC WARRIOR (3) did nothing when resuming at the Beaumont track but his second up form is far better; likely improver. Track specialist FIRST COURRIER (1) is also a live chance.
SELECTIONS: #2 Shaka Rock to appreciate the drop in grade and take this out.
ECHUCA: RACE 7 @ 2:20 PM
MAGNUM BULLET (3) raced handy and battled on okay into second place when resuming over 1112m at Kyneton. Has the claim and good early speed. Expected to take catching. DISHY'S (10) has been thereabouts without winning, placing three of last four. Sits handy in the run and best form puts him right in this. HUGO LOVES VEGAS (6) ran seventh last time out at Wangaratta after a slow getaway and covering ground. Rates a hope with a cheaper run here. GREETINGS NED (1) finished seventh last start, beaten 8 lengths at Morphettville Parks over 1400m. Suited here and has the big claim. Can feature while fresh. FIRST POINT (2) next best.
SELECTIONS: Magnum Bullet to take catching.
PORT LINCOLN: RACE 3 @ 3:15 PM
KINGSON (2) was back to his best with a dominant win here last time scoring by 6.7 len and he looks hard to beat again despite the wide barrier. SORRIDERE (9) is chasing three wins in succession and maps to get a perfect run from barrier two. SHINSEKI (7) was runner-up here three starts back and his past two effort in city grade have been good for a race like this. TIME WARRIOR (6) resumed with a good run when 3rd behind Amani Farsi and is a winner second-up. SWING IT SISTER (11) was placed behind Sorridere last time and should get a good run from the inside barrier.
SELECTIONS: Kingson to make it two wins on end.
