Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Flemington, Sunshine Coast, Canterbury, Canberra, Esperance and Dalby.
FLEMINGTON: RACE 4 @ 4:30 PM
PACIFIC RUBY (3) is a promising Kermadec mare resuming for the Maher/Eustace yard. Chasing her third straight win here after rounding them up effortlessly when a 2.75 len winner over 1400m at Sandown-Hillside on a heavy track last July. Has good first up form and looks better than these. FAST STAR (10) motored late when returned from a break with a solid fourth over 1100m at Kyneton on December 15. Much fitter now, Shinn sticks and drawn a gate. Go close. PRAIRIE FLOWER (2) has a fitness edge over most of these and last two runs have been satisfactory. Up in trip when sixth over 1400m at this track on January 1. Better suited back to the 1200m and can figure in the placings. CIRCLE OF MAGIC (4) is back from a spell of six months and has excellent fresh stats. Goes well this trip and can add value to the exotics.
SELECTIONS: Pacific Ruby to win.
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SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 1 @ 5:25 PM
WORX (1) showed good improvement with the blinkers on for the first time when finishing third in a much stronger field last start. This race is his for the taking. He is clearly on top. THE LUCKY ALIEN (3) finished a fair third on debut at Beaudesert and would have improved with the experience. The blinkers go on for the first time and he should be thereabouts. BOOM MASTER (2) has placed at his most recent trial and the blinkers go on for his debut. He is worth consideration. VIKING VALOUR (5) is on debut and has a profile to play a role in the finish.
SELECTIONS: Worx to win.
CANTERBURY: RACE 7 @ 9:15 PM
ROCKRIBBED (1) looks primed for this third up. Both runs back from a spell have been good and he did it tough out wide last start. Gets McDonald on now and the rise in trip should suit. With even luck early he should be going close. YOSHINO (4) looks the obvious danger. He proved too strong for a well spruiked horse last start and a repeat of that effort will be hard to beat. Draw the main concern. KARLSTAD (9) closed off nicely when beaten 1.2 lengths last time at Warwick Farm. Worth including again. BLUFF 'N' BLUSTER (10) is in the mix.
SELECTIONS: Rockribbed to win.
CANBERRA: RACE 8 @ 5:55 PM
A competitive race to end the program. WITNESS TO LOVE (6) is a bit stiff not to have broken through and resumed with a 1.4L defeat at Wagga when expected to need it. She has more to give and this is winnable with average luck from the sticky barrier. VELLA MAGIC (4) is busting to win and just found one a bit too good the latest. Has the blinkers applied the first time and they may be enough to get her home. MISS STALWART (3) was beaten 3L against the above having her debut outing. Penza's booking suggests the Olive-trained galloper can make quick improvement. WHAT WILL BE (11) was much better placing here three weeks ago. She likely to use the rail and will be fitter again. A value chance. BREAKAWAY WEEK (7) was supported in that contest but just battled. The outside gate makes it tough.
SELECTIONS: Backing Witness To Love.
ESPERANCE: RACE 4 @ 4:06 PM
FORMENTERA (1) was well in the market at his local debut after a couple of quiet trials but could not get into the race at any stage. He will strip fitter for that effort and should notice the drop in class today. His form in Sydney was good enough for him to be a big winning threat in this. Follow your money. SATURDAY SUN (10) finished runner up at his track debut and will be peaking third up today. He is well placed to return to the winners' circle. LEADING MAN (5) capped off some solid efforts with a deserved win last start. This is not too much of a step up in class and he should be thereabouts again. BUSTER'S FORCE (4) finished eighth fresh up but was less than two lengths from the winner on that occasion. He has won second up in the past and even from the wide draw he merits healthy respect in an open race.
SELECTIONS: Formentera to win.
DALBY: RACE 10 @ 4:44 PM
WHERE'S TEKAY NOW (3) is fast and was beaten a whisker first-up at Toowoomba before delivering the Maiden win there heavily bet. He's in a leading barn and fitter can should be taking the next step in this line-up. OUTBACK PLAYBOY (8) may head the rest building on the big Maiden win at Bell. Is in light with the 2kg claim.JAQEN H'GHAR (5) has an awkward gate but won the Maiden well at Warwick first-up. He can build on that. SETHLANS (9) peaks and hasn't been far off them at Rockhampton. Has weight relief at this level and may be best of the rest.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Where's Tekay Now.
