3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 9.
Major metropolitan meetings are today held at Randwick, Eagle Farm, Morphettville and Ascot.
RANDWICK: RACE 4 @ 2:05 PM
TERRA MATER (8) is held in high regard by the stable and bounced off two strong trial wins with a dominant 1.75 len victory over 1100m at Canterbury on November 24. Gets the right run from the gate and Rawiller retains the ride. Go close again. ANOTHER COGNAC (11) is hard to catch on his day but sets up well here with the good early tempo anticipated. Motored late from near last when seventh over 1200m at Rosehill on November 11. No shock to see him finish over the top of these. WELCOME GYPSY (14) only the two wins from nine starts and starting to find a bit of form. Drops 3.5kg on the latest effort and maps well from the inside draw. DODI (6) lightly-raced gelding with a consistent record. Warmed up late from well back when third over 1250m at Randwick Kensington on December 1. Brings the right figures to play a leading role.
SELECTIONS: Terra Mater to win.
EAGLE FARM: RACE 6 @ 3:08 PM
SHOOTING FOR GOLD (2) looks close to a win having placed at both runs over this trip so far this campaign. Ran on to be beaten a neck first up then again found the line last time for second at Sunshine Coast. Draws much closer to the rail and can peak third up. PRINCE OF BOOM (1) pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia after fading badly as favourite first up. Has won a trial since and goes well at the track and trip so prepared to give him another chance. ALL THAT PIZZAZZ (6) won the Weetwood two back before working home last time in the Listed Keith Noud Quality. Suited back to a distance where he strikes at 50 percent. MABEL (5) was too good when resuming over this trip at Kembla Grange last start, scoring by 3.5 lengths. Has never missed the frame second-up so must rate as a player.
SELECTIONS: Shooting For Gold to strike third up.
MORPHETTVILLE: RACE 9 @ 5:30 PM
LA DEFENSE (1) hasn't taken a step wrong in his two runs back, scoring stylishly in both. Not any tougher this time, just has to carry more weight. Sure to be charging hard over the concluding stages. KALASEC (2) only warmed to his task late here last start and picked up well to grab a minor cheque. Open to further improvement third up and gets the key booking of Jake Toeroek. Can give this a shake. NASHO (6) was no match for an impressive winner last time but is going well. Gets in well at the weights and is drawn to get the suck run from the inside barrier. Among the main chances. THE GREY KING (4) battled on steadily to the line when resuming. Sure to have come on with that run under his belt and it's interesting to note that the blinkers go on for the first time. Can improve sharply. Don't dismiss.
SELECTIONS: La Defense to win again.
ASCOT: RACE 8 @ 4:45 PM
The feature of the day and class runner ZAAKI (1) is the one to beat. Has been solid in all runs this campaign despite not winning, finishing just 1.5L away in a Cox Plate and 2L away in the Champions Stakes recently. He'll make his own luck up front and 'J-Mac' comes down from Hong Kong to ride. ALSEPHINA (11) has been a heartbreaker for punters this time in, finishing 1L away in the Railway last time out. She appears poorly weighted under the conditions, but Team Williams and Pike have a knack of knocking off big races. Drawn ideally and is sure to be in the finish. DOM TO SHOOT (5) looks set to peak third-up with a very eye-catching run in the Railway. Out in trip suits and if he can improve again, he's sure to run into the placings. ZOUMON (3) is probably being targeted toward the Perth Cup but this is a suitable stop along the way. Good in the Five Diamonds and must be included. BUSTLER (10) was too good in the Railway and is not to be discounted.
SELECTIONS: Zaaki is the one to beat.
