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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for January 20.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Rosehill, Gawler, Flemington, Eagle Farm and Ascot.
ROSEHILL: RACE 7 @ 4:00 PM
EXCELLADUS (2) relished the sharp weight drop and good tempo when stalked the speed for a well-deserved 1.3 len win over 1400m at Randwick two weeks ago. Gets the right run again and will have little trouble carrying the extra 2.5kg. Go close. DANAUSTAR (5) tough on-speed gelding with a good record over the 1400m. Down sharply in weight for this after finishing a close second over 1300m at Randwick on December 23. Race shape suits and no excuses from the gate. POWERFUL PEG (7) slick return with the 59.5kg when a head second over 12000m at Randwick on December 30. Goes just as well second-up and has excellent figures over the 1400m. Group 3 placegetter ROBUSTO (4) raced closer to the fast tempo before tiring late when fourth over 1400m at Randwick on January 6. Go on win two back when assessing his chances.
SELECTIONS: Excelladus to win.
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GAWLER: RACE 2 @ 1:02 PM
CULLEN SKINK (3) has returned in great order this prep, bringing up the hat-trick here last start when scoring with a bit up his sleeve. Drawn to get the gun run from the inside and there's no reason he can't take another step forward and repeat the dose. TEST THE LAW (1) got the nod two back and went close to making it back-to-back wins here at the latest. Going well and only needs to hold his form to be fighting out the finish. EAGLELOU (6) is yet to salute this time in but should find this easier. Rock-hard fit now and Kayla Crowther sticking is a good push for his chances. Can give this a big shake. DIXIE WHISTLER (2) has been thereabouts in her three runs this time in, most notably falling a long neck shy at Morphettville two back. Was no match for Cullen Skink last start here when finishing third. Will need everything to go her way to overturn the result but she warrants respect.
SELECTIONS: Cullen Skink can repeat the dose.
FLEMINGTON: RACE 4 @ 1:55 PM
AUSTMARR (1) has to carry top weight but could be a bit of value here. She's a handy filly who won two in a row to start last campaign over 1000m before tackling G3 company and struggling when single figures. 1100m at this level suits and she'll take some catching. SPICY MARGS (3) ran much better second up on good ground at Geelong, beaten by a handy type. Will be on speed and hard to get past. STEFI MAGNETICA (7) brings completely different form, far too good at Orange in a Bm58 first up. Very wary of the stable bringing her here but the early price does look skinny. RHETORICAL (6) was just even second up but can improve off what she showed fresh. POWER BALLARD (5) should be thereabouts and must be respected.
SELECTIONS: Austmarr to win.
ASCOT: RACE 5 @ 3:05 PM
CAPTAIN PLUTO (5) has been set mammoth tasks right throughout this campaign, jumping well and being snagged back form wide alleys. Finally draws a gate for Pike and looks well set up to return to winning ways. Plenty to like and can go one better this time. ATLANTIS BEACH (2) ran on well just behind Captain Pluto last start and wasn't disgraced in the ATA Stakes prior to that. Been a while between drinks but is in good form of late. Nicely drawn this time and is sure to be in the finish. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (3) got the job done here last start and beat some of the rivals she'll face again today. Did it well to hold off Captain Pluto, but does rise in weight off that effort. Strong win through and wouldn't surprise to see her in the finish. GHOBELLA (1) showed good staying ability to win here 28 days ago and is sure to be strong at the finish. JUSTAMIDDY (9) steps out in trip for the first time and has claims on best form.
SELECTIONS: Captain Pluto can get the job done this time.
EAGLE FARM: RACE 2 @ 12:48 PM
IOWA (2) was a beaten favourite last start at Gold Coast over 2200m but didn't miss by much, leading and kicking on well to go under by a head. Proven at this trip and has the gate speed to take full advantage of a lower draw. Great chance to score. ROGUE BEAR (1) has been racing consistently south of the border, recording a string of placings before he finished 0.9 lengths away in fourth last time out over 2000m at Randwick. Steps up in distance today and looks close to a win. DENILIQUIN (4) made a winning start for the new stable when beating Iowa at Gold Coast. Rises in weight but could go on with it. BEDFORD SQUARE (9) ran a nice race at this track and trip last time out, closing well for third and only half a length from the winner. Can be about the money again. SIR LORD (7) wasn't too far away last start to follow back-to-back wins. Include. SELECTIONS: Iowa to atone for a narrow last-start defeat.
