Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Caulfield, Donald, Mackay, Morphetville, Port Hedland and Darwin.
NEWCASTLE: RACE 6 @ 2:10 PM
GOLDMAN (4) smart stayer who resumed from a lengthy break with a courageous on-pace second over 2000m in the G3 JRA Plate at Randwick on April 20. Handles all conditions and his second-up record is just as strong. Gets the right run and will prove hard to catch. HEZASHOCKA (9) looks ready to peak fourth-up after turning in three encouraging runs this time in. Came from near last on the turn in the heavy (9) going when third in the G3 JRA Plate over 2000m at latest. Can race closer here from the better draw. FUTURE HISTORY (5) genuine stayer sent north for this after giving his all with the 60kg when fifth in the LR Mornington Cup over 2400m on April 20. Racing pattern suits here with the drop in weight. Go close. MANKAYAN (6) is another worthy of serious consideration and the chances don't end there!
SELECTIONS: Goldman to win.
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SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 1 @ 12:33 PM
Great contest to kick off a quality nine-race card. You'd love to own a stable full of horses like the well-related PEREILLE (4) who has only missed a drum once in 15 career outings including never missing the frame in 12 starts over this trip. First-up here but has tuned up for this with two solid Sydney trials and J Mac reunites. Should be playing a major role in the outcome. MIDNIGHT IN TOKYO (7) is another resuming but was in red-hot form prior to the spell and has a handy fresh record. Draws the inside marble and should be in this for a long way. STANDING ORDER (10) is one from one over this track and trip and is expected to settle on speed. Can give a sight. LOST IN TRANSIT (5) loves it here on his home circuit and cannot be ignored.
SELECTIONS: Pereille to return a winner.
IPSWICH: RACE 4 @ 1:56 PM
WINSTON SMURFHILL (5) was a city winner earlier this preparation and was only beaten 1.5L last start when 7th in a bunched finish in an Eagle Farm Bm75. Among the chances in a small field. TARA JASMINE (4) was well held last time but battled away okay and this can be easier. Has a win and a placing from three starts at this track so worth consideration. STAMPE (3) hasn't won since August last year and races for first time since March but won a Beaudesert barrier trial last month. EARLY THOUGHTS (6) might need further but has trialled nicely leading into this and has a good draw and light weight.
SELECTIONS: Once more into the breach with Winston Smurfhill.
CAULFIELD: RACE 6 @ 2:25 PM
QUANTUM CAT (4) is a lightly raced import now with Chris Waller who made his Australian debut at Mornington and ran well over 1600m, working home well into fourth. He's a dual winner over 2514m so the rise to 2000m now is ideal and this is easier than last time. ALBANIAN I AM (11) is coming off a soft win here over 1800m when getting a good run on speed. Finds another suitable race and should be in the finish again. FAGIN (13) brings the Sea What I See form from his past two which should hold up. MOVEFORLEX (6) next best. Well up to winning but does need a slice of luck from the draw.
SELECTIONS: Quantum Cat on top.
DONALD: RACE 6 @ 2:41 PM
BIG TOWN (3) has had the two runs from a spell over a shorter trip than this. Strips fitter this time and will appreciate the rise in distance. Look for a forward showing. GETONIT (6) has been racing well over the border on home track of Mount Gambier. Looks up to a race like this and won't be too far away. PONTMEIRION (4) was placed at Avoca two starts back before a plain run last time. Has the ability and can turn things around here.
SELECTIONS: Back Big Town to win.
MACKAY: RACE 8 @ 4:11 PM
HONKYTONK DIVA (8) is a well-performed galloper who won twice at Rockhampton before recording a solid effort there third-up in a rich Quality. She rates clear in this lineup and it's hard to risk the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. O'MUDGEE (3) resumed in the same race and needed the outing. May need it a touch longer now but has plenty up the sleeve and can get into the finish. COURTESY BUS (5) mixes the form but is a capable galloper who impressed here two back. Can't be ruled out.
SELECTIONS: Backing Honkytonk Diva to win.
IPSWICH: RACE 8 @ 4:22 PM
INVAHIR (5) has been racing well including past two over this course and distance. Rolled along in front last start and was only collared in the final 50m when 4th in Bm68 here on May 1. Drawn well and should give a great sight again. READY FOR ANYTHING (2) looks better suited here third-up and 1.5kg claim for apprentice Cody Collis will help. Has a good record at this track with two wins and a second from three starts and is capable of figuring. STAR SEEKER (9) was good last start when second at this track on April 10, narrowly beating home INVAHIR so has to be respected from barrier one. SPILL THE SECRET (7) drops in weight on recent starts and is a winner over this course and distance. Respect.
SELECTIONS: Happy to go with Invahir.
MORPHETTVILLE: RACE 8 @ 4:30 PM
OSCAR'S FORTUNE (15) is a talented three-year-old that continues to step up to the market. Wasn't far away in The Quokka behind multiple G1 winner Overpass. Has already run the figures to put him right in the finish and gets in superbly at the weights under the conditions. Expect the wizard to give him every chance. AMELIA'S JEWEL (2) has always promised so much. Started fav in The Quokka, beating OF by a head. Gives him 3kgs this time but is sure to be charging hard under Lane. JOHNNY ROCKER (9) followed up his surprising placing in the G1 William Reid with a strong effort in the TJ. Gets in well at the weights and will be breathing down their necks late. BENEDETTA (7), I AM ME (6) and CLIMBING STAR (3) all come through key lead up (Sangster) with the latter being best home. Can make a case for all three. SKYBIRD (16) was a breath-taking winner of the G2 Tobin Bronze here a fortnight ago. This is obviously tougher but she warrants respect.
SELECTIONS: Backing Oscar's Fortune to win.
PORT HEDLAND: RACE 2 @ 4:35 PM
CAPTAIN CROCKET (4) did not kick on as expected after clearing his maiden status at Northam and has since changed stables. He should appreciate country grade racing and this is now his home track. Hard to beat, especially if the money comes for him. DENZOE (3) franked his improved effort for second in his penultimate run with a game all the way win at Geraldton a fortnight ago. She should be suited to this circuit and another win is not beyond her. GRECE LIGHTNING (5) battled on fairly at Geraldton when fifth in the same race as the second pick. His efforts before that to open this campaign were good and he can bounce straight back into the money here. Each-way. AL MAGICO (1) is a tough veteran who is always competitive in this class and has also been a winner on this track in the past. He might need the run but is too good to dismiss in this lineup.
SELECTIONS: Captain Crocket to win.
DARWIN: RACE 3 @ 4:42 PM
SPACESHIP (3) showed plenty of promise when trained in Queensland and delivered as expected fresh up in his first start for local trainer Gary Clarke who has a wonderful record with similar imports. He bolted home by 5 lengths that day and with 2 kilos less to carry this time, he should be too good again, despite the class rise. BEL'S BANNER (2) is a stablemate of the top pick who has raced her way back into her best form again and is chasing down a hat-trick of wins after a length win here just over 3 weeks ago in the same grade. Stick with her. STAR MAGNUM (1) is a very honest performer at this level and normally comes to hand quickly. The small field will help him and he can threaten the top 2 picks with the right run. SUPREMO (5) bounced back into winning form last start with a game victory over a mile on this track just over 2 weeks ago. The drop back to a sprint trip is a query but with the aid of the pole position, he can't be totally overlooked.
SELECTIONS: Spaceship to win.
