3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays for major Australian thoroughbred meetings on February 20.
Major metropolitan meetings are today held at Rosehill, Caulfield, Eagle Farm, Morphettville, Toowoomba, Wagga and Yarra Valley.
ROSEHILL: RACE 9 @ 5:55 PM
LACKEEN (4) creates plenty of interest in his Australian debut having trialled very well in the lead up. Formerly with Andre Fabre, he displayed good ability in four starts and looks well treated in this company. Wide draw some query, but trust in McDonald to get him home. WHEELHOUSE (16) won very well in his stable debut for Chris Waller and with further improvement expected, he looms as a major threat. FULMINA (5) comes here on the fresh side and has to be kept safe back in trip.
SELECTIONS: Very keen on Lackeen in his Australian debut.
CAULFIELD: RACE 7 @ 4:15 PM
The draw may worry some with ENTHAAR (13) but she should be able to just cruise across and camp on what will surely be a fast tempo. She was brilliant winning the Chairman's here, quickening off a dime to win by a space, and all the form around her has been working out well. Clear top pick. ANAMOE (5) was terrific in the colts Prelude and did plenty wrong there. Gets outside runners this time and still learning improving. 1200m looks ideal. ARTORIUS (7) is interesting. This is much tougher but he looked the part last time and no shock to see him rattling home into the finish. GENERAL BEAU (1) is a professional two-year-old that knows how to win. He looks sure to run well.
SELECTIONS: Enthaar has a big talent edge.
EAGLE FARM: RACE 4 @ 2:27 PM
PULL ANCHOR (8) came home strongly to finish second by one length over 1400m at Sunshine Coast last start. Back to the trip that has produced her three career wins including when she ran on well to score at Doomben three back. Looks well placed. WREN'S DAY (4) went to the paddock off an Ipswich win last July and has been readied for his return with three trials. Proven fresh so can make an impact. The British import VENTURA OCEAN (3) is the big query. Last raced when placed at Newmarket over 1408m last June. Has trialled twice in NSW. Keep safe. VIOLET (9) hasn't missed a place at the track or the trip and races well fresh so has claims.
SELECTIONS: Pull Anchor to win returning to 1200m.
MORPHETTVILLE: RACE 8 @ 4:36
The highlight of the day is the Lord Reims Stakes where we see a short elect in TRALEE ROSE (12). She was devastating in winning the Bagot Handicap. Given a freshen off that she would only need to run even just off that to score before the Adelaide Cup next. LONG ARM (3) seems the only possible danger. He was tough coming from back to win at Caulfield. He will love the more ground here. MUSHAIREB (4) battles bravely in Sydney. This is about the hardest he wants. MONGOLIAN MARSHAL (1) will enjoy the drop in weights today. TARN'S PRINCE (10) gives his all so could be placed.
SELECTIONS: Take the Tralee Rose / Long Arm exacta.
WAGGA: RACE 8 @ 5:40 PMA country championship qualifier and they will all be trying. OAMANIKKA (2) missed by a nose at The Valley seeking the hat-trick making another ratings spike. Gets an outside gate but McDougall is reunited and will likely go forward with the blinkers applied first time. The 1400m won't bother and the promising gelding goes on top. ANOTHER ONE (4) led and won the Randwick CL2 by 3L at 1300m and then went back again and wasn't beaten far as favourite in the CL3. His gate is also sticky but he's a serious player with the blinkers coming off. BLITZAR (5) is an improver better for the two close-up placings. He impressed here the latest and the blinkers go on again. Draws wide his first time the trip but expect him to be right in the finish. MNEMENTH (6) also has a sense of timing. Beat Another Day home when second-up at Randwick beaten 1.7L and running his best race. Won at 1400m from the front before the spell and just needs average luck pushing forward.
SELECTIONS: Backing Oamanikka.
TOOWOOMBA: RACE 7 @ 8:20 PM
MATILDA GENE (6) gave a sight last time and fought on well at this track when well supported. Has two placings from three runs this preparation. Has the blinkers removed this time, rates highly and a bold showing is expected. DEJAKKAL (1) turned in a sound effort when in the placings last start at this track over 1625m. The Blinkers also come off, he rates strongly and looms as a major threat. SENSE OF EXPENSE (2) finished midfield last start at Warwick over 1350m. Tackles a longer journey this time and can show good improvement.
STEEL CHANCE (3) the best of the rest.
SELECTIONS: Very keen on Matilda Gene.
YARRA VALLEY: RACE 3 @ 2:06 PM
LUZ LONG (4) returns here after being beaten as favourite last start. If it has come on since that then it is a good winning chance. ADVENTURE TRIP (3) sticks to the 1500 metres today and if it has also improved from the good first-up showing at Kilmore, where it had excuses, then should be in the finish here. Forget when TABBY STAR (5) stepped out here last start and look back to the ok effort at Mornington. That puts it in the picture here. TAVIVALLEY (12) might need the run but comes in as a wider exotics chance if you're looking. QUANTRELL (1) has been going consistently of late. Might find a few stronger but isn't without a first four hope.
SELECTIONS: Luz Long the win.
KINGSCOTE: RACE 1 @ 1:06 PM
JAGERNAUT (1) is first-up for the Will Clarken and has the benefit of two trials winning his latest at Gawler. He's drawn out but has the claim and looks hard to beat. MUG'S GAME (6) was sent out equal favourite here back on Jan 23 behind stablemate Vexatious Boy and draws a nice gate. TROUBLED TIMES (9) was game running 2nd behind Needa here on Thursday. She’s drawn out but looks well placed again. ULTIMATE VIEW (3) was beaten 5.1 len behind Vexatious Boy here before to Strathalbyn and running OK behind Pollyanna, he draws a nice gate. KID YOU NOT (5) is a former NSW galloper on debut Heather Lehman and was in the market last start at Gundagai.
SELECTIONS: Jagernaut to win.