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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for January 11.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Newcastle, Penola, Wangaratta, Pakenham and Pinjarra.
NEWCASTLE: RACE 2 @ 2:45 PM
STANCZYK (1) returned from a spell last start and recorded his fifth minor placings from six runs when beaten under a length over 1200m at Gosford. Better placed on this bigger track over a bit more ground second-up so he will pay to follow. On-pacer MR SHOWMAN (8) has raced well all prep but can't quite crack the maiden win. Best efforts come on top of the ground so a couple of recent unplaced efforts can be forgiven. Perfectly drawn and looks sure to be about the mark. DIFFERENT ROAD (5) was ridden closer to the speed last time out over 1350m at the Beaumont track but weakened out of contention. Will enjoy sitting off a slick tempo here and he will be getting home powerfully. SOVEREIGN DANE (3) weakened late when resuming over 1350m at the Beaumont recently. Lightly raced with plenty of scope for improvement. MEERUT (7) is a 24-start maiden but wasn't far away at Wyong last time and deserves consideration on an each-way basis.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Stanczyk.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Newcastle Computer Card.
PENOLA: RACE 4 @ 2:05 PM
DUO PERNA (4) won his first two starts (debuted here) and then spelled off a 3L defeat in town over the mile. Needed the outing at Geelong first up and has the winkers applied for the first time. Draws well and this is winnable with the extra fitness. VERBOSITY (5) just missed twice before winning the 58 at Echuca. Uses the rail and is also suited across the border. He won't have to be much improved to go close. ENTERPRISE JEWEL (6) won the 62 at Balaklava easily over a mile and then was just fair at headquarters over 1800m and five winners have come out of that. Comes back to the sprint off a 47-day freshen and has to be kept safe. ROHLON DRUNK (2) and MELISSA KATE (3) are both racing well enough to consider.
SELECTIONS: Leaning to Duo Perna.
WANGARATTA: RACE 7 @ 4:45 PM
KODIAK (1) is in a leading metro barn and brought strong synthetic form to resumption at Ararat and was narrowly beaten. He can use the fence and benefits from the handy 3kg claim. Has been freshened for 45 days and fitter will be tough to roll. SMART POPPY (7) missed a nose here in stronger following a dominant win this grade at Benalla. Gives away a start but peaks and is a serious player. PAULULU (3) resumes and would be a hope at best. May need one but keep safe. KEITH (8) is speedy and has the handy gate and 3kg claim. He's capable and will give a sight.
SELECTIONS: Kodiak can keep improving. .
PAKENHAM: RACE 3 @ 6:15 PM
HARD TO CROSS (4) looks nicely placed here. He ran fifth on resumption at Moonee Valley in a Bm78 but was only beaten 2.75 lengths over 1600m. His form last time in reads well and this is a fair bit easier. Looks the one to beat. ROYAL HARD HAT (6) presents third up. His form doesn't read well on paper but he hasn't been far away and he should be ready to peak in this. His form last time in reads well. BROOKLYN BOSS (8) was sound first-up at Caulfield and will strip fitter for the rise in trip. SOLBROOK STAR (5) should give a sight.
SELECTIONS: Hard To Cross to win.
PINJARRA: RACE 8 @ 5:30 PM
KHUTOS (7) led all the way over 1420m at Bunbury to win by 1.8L last time out. He was favourite that day and wasn't stopping on the line, indicating the rise in trip is no issue. Does jump in class, but looks to have his share of ability and will prove tough to run down from the front once again. SANTA BRAE (2) ran on well first-up at Bunbury and should appreciate the rise in trip. Pike rides this time and although he may still be short of his best distance, with improvement to come off the fresh effort he can play a major role. Will be storming home late. JAY DEE (6) stuck on well to score an all-the-way victory at Ascot last time out, winning by 0.7L over 1400m. Has only been tried at this trip once where she was placed. Big chance if she can repeat her last start effort. HAFEY (4) wasn't far away despite finishing 8th in a high-rating race here on Boxing Day. Include. ELDORADO RIVER (3) can improve on the first-up run and the extra ground suits.
SELECTIONS: Siding with Khutos in the last.
