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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for January 12.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Gosford, Hamilton, Cranbourne, Launceston and Canberra.
GOSFORD: RACE 4 @ 4:55 PM
MERRY MAC BOY (1) kicked off this prep with a couple of decent efforts in town before failing on a heavy track last time out. Form at this trip is strong with two wins and a couple of minors from six tries. Big chance to add to that record back at the provincials. ANGARA (5) worked hard from a wide gate and led but couldn't maintain the pressure last start over 1350m at the Beaumont track. This might be a little short of his best trip but he is very fit and should give backers a sight. MAD DEEL (7) is back from an 11-week absence. Only raced once last prep and didn't fire so was turned out again and gelded. Watch the betting carefully. TIME FOR VICTORY (4) is better than his distant fourth last start over 1100m at this track. Veteran TIM'S PRINCIPAL (10) is racing in great heart and looks the only other realistic chance.
SELECTIONS: Merry Mac Boy looks a bit better than these.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Gosford Computer Card.
HAMILTON: RACE 1 @ 2:00 PM
Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade THAILESS (13) is unlucky to still be a maiden hitting the top four in all five career outings to date. Has placed over this track and trip and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Looks the one they all have to run down. TURN UP THE MUSIC (5) was okay on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Respect from the Zahra barn. EARL OF BANTRY (2) has been thereabouts in both runs this preparation and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Top-three conveyance. SKILFUL ARTIST (4) just missed the placings when at the races for the first time and is sure to have come on with that race day experience now under the belt. In the mix. BUDJIK BOY (1) was well in the betting on debut and where there's smoke there's fire. Can play a role in the outcome.
SELECTIONS: Thailess to finally break through.
CRANBOURNE: RACE 7 @ 9:15 PM
Handy race. LOVED UP LAWYER (4) is a progressive type who was a smart maiden winner at Bendigo two back before just missing last start as favourite. Open to further improvement at just his fourth run and D Lane on from barrier 1 only aids his cause. LAZY SUSAN (3) is racing well without winning this time in. She's been good at two city runs over 1000m which reads well. Just needs to run out a strong 1200m to be right in the finish. WELLIE BELLE (8) resumes. She showed promise last time in and a big run wouldn't surprise. ONLY THE BEST (5) was a tidy maiden winner first up and another good run wouldn't shock.
SELECTIONS: Loved Up Lawyer to win.
LAUNCESTON: RACE 6 @ 9:00 PM
CHEROKEE DANCER (8) made the hat-trick on the synthetic and resumed with a nose defeat here in a CL3. Came back and was plainer after and prepared to forgive. Has the 2kg claim and the blinkers applied the first time. Fitter and she can get back on track. GALLANT WARRIORS (2) resumes for the same barn and is certainly good enough. Has a small claim and soft draw and has trialled well. The betting will guide to his readiness. NGAPALI BEACH (5) won the CL2 here easily and has scope for further improvement. Has been briefly freshened but the awkward gate needs managing. BETTER THAN BANKSY (3) will give most a start but has been around the mark and is in the mix.
SELECTIONS: Backing Cherokee Dancer.
CANBERRA: RACE 6 @ 6:30 PM
Maher-Eustace-trained CHEVAL SAVANT (1) disappointed at Warwick Farm on a heavy track but had been building nicely prior. Will find this company much more to his liking and has the blinkers applied for the first time. Owen is a positive jockey booking and will position him forward. Gets his chance to return to the winner's stall. PREFER THE WINK (8) missed a whisker second-up over a mile in a Nowra Maiden (heavy). Ran his best race over 1850m at Newcastle and that would see him very competitive. LA SAGRADA (5) won his Maiden by 4.6L at Beaumont-Newcastle leading all the way. Will likely employ the same tactics again and can give a sight. BURGUNDY BUBBLES (12) steps up from the mile for the first time and is in the mix.
SELECTIONS: With Cheval Savant.
