3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for April 8.
Major metropolitan meetings are today held at Randwick, Sandown-Lakeside, Doomben, Ascot & Oakbank.
RANDWICK: RACE 5 @ 2:00 PM
AFT CABIN (1) should be going very close after the scratching of What You Need. An electric winner first up over 1200m, he was okay over 1400m then just peaked on his run in the G1 Randwick Guineas over a mile, clearly not staying the trip. He's proven on heavy and back to 1200m at set weights, he should be winning. ZOU TIGER (2) is the obvious danger. Aft Cabin dropped him when they met at 1200m but he's beaten him home in two runs since. KOTE (4) is racing well in slightly easier races and is in the each-way mix again.
SELECTIONS: Aft Cabin to win.
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SANDOWN-LAKESIDE: RACE 6 @ 3:35 PM
Hot race this with plenty that have talent beyond the level. LOCO (7) is one of them. Very slick winning at Pakenham and then bumped into one last time. Run down with every chance but the winner posted a smart performance and there was a big gap back to third. He can win on his way to better levels. RED SUN SENSATION (6) is building nicely. Strong home last time behind GRINGOTTS (4) who is a good talent and has form around the right horses. That pair look sure to be around the mark. DASHING (2) is the other that would not look out of place in higher grade. In fact, he was stiff not to win at listed level last time, left running on all too late at Morphettville.
SELECTIONS: Loco can win a hot race for the grade.
DOOMBEN: RACE 8 @ 4:07 PM
HILAL (1) will be hitting peak fitness third up and put the writing on the wall when beaten just a nose last start at Eagle Farm. Goes up in distance and suspect he is looking for it now. Can strike today. TUMBLER RIDGE (3) settled well back from a wide draw last time then wound up strongly when beaten 1L in a similar race to this. Proven third up so can show his best. LEGAL ESPRIT (13) is another that will be wound up third-up and races well that way with a 50 per cent strike rate. Only missed by a head last start. Strong claims. LAST CHANCE (4) turned in a fine effort to score by a neck at today's track and distance last start. Deserves respect along with ROMAN AUREUS (10).
SELECTIONS: Hilal to strike third up.
ASCOT: RACE 7 @ 4:25 PM
MAGNIFICENT ANDY (5) is hard fit for this and going through his grades well. Sat just off the speed and kicked clear inside final 200m for a slick 3 len win at today's track and trip on March 25. Up in grade again but only has to repeat latest to prove hard to stop again. STELLAR VISTA (6) is a mare in form carrying the big weights well. Finished fast from off the speed when a neck winner over this course and distance on March 18. Patrick Carbery on today and can win again. SPIN THE KNIFE (1) has needed the three runs back to bring him to his peak and gets in light again with the claim. Stretches out to the 1400m today and can hold on to run a place. GINGER GREEN (2) surprised at big odds when resumed over 1200m here for a sound win on March 25. Has excellent second up figures and goes well this trip.
SELECTIONS: Magnificent Andy to win.
OAKBANK: RACE 8 @ 4:32 PM
HOME RULE (9) caught the eye when resuming at Moonee Valley, chasing strongly into the placings. Will appreciate having more room to work with this time and the extra journey. Yet two win second-up but has run well. Key player. TAUNTING (3) failed to pay the punters fresh at Morphettville but is capable of much better. Worth forgiving second-up where he's 2/2. Will just need a smart steer from the car park draw. GAZE GRISE (6) was solid when returning on the Parks surface, finishing close to the winner in a blanket finish. Open to further improvement and is drawn well. In the mix. RICH GINA (10) is worth keeping safe also. Watch for her launching late if they are going hard early.
SELECTIONS: Backing Home Rule to win.
PORT MACQUARIE: RACE 5 @ 3:58 PM
OBLIVION (1) turned in a fine effort to score by 1.75 lengths at this course and distance last start to maintain his good form of late. Likely to be there at the finish again. DE LOVELY LAD (6) missed the frame last time when seventh at Coffs Harbour. Prior to that had been in the money on two consecutive occasions. Should enjoy a good run just off the speed. Expecting a bold showing. ATOMIC SURPRISE (7) missed the placings two runs back then improved last start but found one better over 1208m at this track, beaten only 1.75 lengths. Looks well placed so expect another big run. MRS ED (9) broke through for her maiden win last start after she was in the firing line throughout over 1108m at this track, scoring by 0.6 lengths when resuming. Patrick Scorse retains the mount. Confidence boosting win last time and is among the chances.
SELECTIONS: Oblivion to win.
WARRACKNABEAL: RACE 7 @ 4:31 PM
RESERVE STREET (5) led and was nailed last at Sandown last time. Has since finished third in a Terang hurdle school. Should be well-primed for this. Will be hard to beat. SKY OUT (3) is an Irish-bred galloper that did his racing in Germany. Has not raced in just on 12 months and makes his Australian debut for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. In the right hands and may be too good for this lot. DOTHRAKI (2) has won three of his last four starts with the only miss coming at Sandown two starts back. Looks nicely off here. Won't be far away. COASTAL TOWN (7) is aiming for the hat-trick following back-to-back wins at Warrnambool. Should have no trouble with the extra trip. Won't be far away.
SELECTIONS: Back Reserve Street to win.
KERANG: RACE 7 @ 4:37 PM
AOIFE (6) capped off some good maiden form with an easy win at Towong last time out. Now that the penny has dropped she should go on with it and doesn't meet the strongest BM58 field here. She is set to take the next step. INSURGENCE (14) just clung on to win her maiden fresh up at Towong and then produced a big run to pick up third place late at Benalla last time out. The step up in distance is ideal and he cannot be left out of calculations. GRAND SASSY (7) found form at Wagga last start with a big late run for third. She obviously needed the racing to bring her along and should now be at her peak. Watch for her late. Can win. ALBANIAN EAGLE (9) was brave in defeat last start when finishing sixth after setting up a strong pace in front and to stick on as she did was a very good effort. The drop back to 1400 metres should suit her and with a much better draw today, she will be able to be rated more evenly early on. Each-way.
SELECTIONS: Aoife to win.
GATTON: RACE 7 @ 4:52 PM
BETTER THAN ROSES (8) overcame a few difficulties early on to kick up from the ace draw and then hold on to win fresh up at Chinchilla. It always takes a promising type to lead up that home straight and the courage she showed on that occasion will stand by her this prep. She is up in class but strips fitter and after a clever apprentice claim, she is well placed to win again. BRING ME FLOWERS (3) won fresh up here but couldn't repeat the dose at her next run after pulling too hard during the running. She is dropping back to what should be a more suitable distance at this stage of her prep and can bounce back into the money. SUPER VOGUE (6) went for a spell after a game effort for third at her last run. She has had a good spell which would have done her the world of good and has been tuned up by a recent trial. Each-way. GRANDEUR ROSE (7) was much better last start when finishing on powerfully for second place last time out and should now hold that form. Include in all combinations.
SELECTIONS: Better Than Roses to win.
DONGARA: RACE 5 @ 4:45 PM
UNI QUEEN (2) made up plenty of late ground last start after making a tardy beginning and should have finished much closer. She is ready now third up for a middle distance and at the weights, she looks like the one to beat. SHABALALA (8) ruined her chances when running out wide into the home straight at Belmont last start and only battled to the line thereafter. She had been in good form prior to her last run and shouldn't be dropped just yet. GALIBA (1) got back off a wide draw after making a slow start at Pinjarra last time out and finished well back. She is better placed in this company and should also appreciate the step up to a middle distance today. She is worth another chance. Include in all multiples. VANMAN (12) is as consistent as they come but has not won in over a year. He will need a touch of luck from his wide draw but another honest effort can be expected.
SELECTIONS: Uni Queen to win.
ALICE SPRINGS: RACE 9 @ 5:15 PM
MARIMENKO (4) started favourite at his local debut and though being beaten into third he did find the line strongly. He will be fitter for his last run and with an extra furlong to travel today he should be the one to beat. Follow your money. MAGNOSSIVA (5) was back in winning form with a narrow victory at the recent Broken Hill picnic meeting. Now that his confidence is up he should be right in the finish again. HALOGEM (8) is usually slowly away which doesn't help him at all but as he showed four starts back when winning at Darwin that if the tempo is right and the gaps come his way then he is always capable of taking out a race like this.
SELECTIONS: Marimenko to win.
