3 minute read
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 22.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Wagga, Lismore, Cranbourne, Yarra Valley, Mackay, Oakbank and Devonport.
WAGGA: RACE 3 @ 2:40 PM
YOU'RE ON MUTE (7) narrowly beat home Allaboutroy in town last start and was the more visually impressive runner. He wasn't blessed with a clear run to the finish but found the line nicely when clear. Carries more weight this time but still meets Roy with a slight advantage Further improvement is anticipated and the booking of Danny Beasley is a good push for her chances. ALLABOUTROY (1) goes super on his home track and has placed at both attempts over this track and trip. Drawn to advantage and should be giving backers a bold sight. SUPER SUNNY SEEYA (6) is a progressive type that has shown plenty of positive signs in his debut prep, narrowly missing bringing up his third win at the latest. Tougher this time but gets weight relief. Among the key chances. UNDERPANTS (2) came with a strong finish from well back when resuming on the Riverside track. Improvement to come and is in the mix. DOOGAN'S DESIGN (4) next.
SELECTIONS: You're On Mute to finish over the top of them.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Wagga Computer Card.
LISMORE: RACE 7 @ 4:54 PM
DARK EURO (7) finished runner-up at his last three outings and due for a change of luck. This is his pet trip and drops in weight here from the awkward draw. Go close. NISHIKORI (3) resumes after a break of four-and-a-half months. Has a solid fresh record and since fitted with two trials. Gets every chance from the gate. AT WITZ END (1) kept fresh for this after resuming with a plugging ninth over 1400m at Sunshine Coast on November 18. Has a solid second-up record and sharp improvement expected. BEEF WEEK PRINCESS (6) much better effort when third in a small field at Grafton over 1206m on November 26. Has a good record this track and trip and not to be underestimated.
SELECTIONS: Dark Euro to win.
CRANBOURNE: RACE 6 @ 8:45 PM
TAHLEQUAH (3) is a sparingly raced 5yo mare who resumed at Geelong over 1500m and ran well for fourth, beaten just 1.1 lengths. Strips fitter for that and she looks ideally placed in this. Rates highly, in the right barn, she looks the one to beat. CYCLONE HARMONY (4) was just ahead of Tahlequah at Geelong in second. He's lightly raced himself and suited in this grade. Looks the other main chance. SOLBROOK STAR (1) has been poor in two runs back but his best would be very competitive. Could improve. AMBERARNA (8) looks to have the ability and can improve on her first-up run.
SELECTIONS: Tahlequah to win.
YARRA VALLEY: RACE 7 @ 4:10 PM
The well-related NOT A PROBLEM (4) disappointed last start but go on the dominant victory over this course and distance two back. Can return to form. IN YOUR HANDS (2) is a bit of a hit or miss type but draws the inside alley and gets some weight off. In the mix on best. SHALILY (7) hails from the O'Brien barn and must be included. FIRST COMMANDMENT (8) strips fitter third-up and is one for the exotics players.
SELECTIONS: Not A Problem to win.
MACKAY: RACE 8 @ 4:44 PM
STAVANGER (8) switched from a top Sydney yard and won the Rockhampton Maiden easily first-up as expected. Has to push forward from a wide gate but has more to give and can go on with it for the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. ALEACO (3) just missed resuming here this grade and also has more up the sleeve. The gate is awkward but fitter he can get into the finish. APRIL LOVE (10) peaks and is busting to win. Back to the sprint won't bother and she can lead or trail from an inside gate. Is sure to give a sight. TOM ROCKS (12) was plain at Rockhampton at her latest but the lip defeat here prior would have her around the mark. Goes in at a price.
SELECTIONS: Backing Stavanger to win.
OAKBANK: RACE 2 @ 3:20 PM
SKINDER (6) resumes for a leading metro barn and two-back was narrowly beaten here on debut with Crowther aboard. She's reunited and the mare can come back further improved. Will go close. FIRST RANK (2) resumes and is sure to give plenty of cheek. In the top stable and showed enough last preparation to suggest this is winnable. He will be naturally improved and has a handy 2kg claim and an inside gate. Has a key gear switch and races handy. TESTA DURA (4) resumed in the market but didn't finish it off. Raced a bit new and the tongue tie comes straight off as recommended by Holder post-race. He stays aboard expect the gelding to position more forward today. Showed enough at the back of the initial campaign to consider. MISS VIGNETTE (5) didn't get into it in town but the run prior would see her around the mark.
SELECTIONS: Going with Skinder.
DEVONPORT SYNTHETIC: RACE 6 @ 6:10 PM
SQUARE DONUT (2) races very well in Devonport, adding more prize money last start with a strong fourth in the Golden Mile. Interestingly, connections choose to race here rather than go to the Sheffield Cup. GEEGEES HISWORD (6) and UBRIACO (7) perhaps would've both preferred this race to be over a mile, instead are stepping from 1350m to 1880m out of a slowly run race won by Royal and Tough, who led. REWARD FOR ROSIE (9) looks the leader in a race with a bit of pressure on paper, but if she does find the top, she's proven she'll keep grinding away. HOT RELATION (1) is another runner coming out of the Golden Mile. He maps for a nice run but doesn't profile like a horse that is looking for the extra distance.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Square Donut.
