Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for July 20.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meeting are today held at Hawkesbury, Grafton, Hamilton, Seymour, Sunshine Coast, Port Augusta, Hobart, Carnarvon.
HAWKESBURY: RACE 7 @ 3:45 PM
DON'T DOUBT MERLIN (1) has been in the market at his last couple of runs since resuming but failed to threaten, the latest effort a modest sixth at this track over 1100m. Rates highly on best figures though and a return to the peak of his powers can cast a spell over this race. No reason to doubt him. PRINCE HARRISON (4) used the rails draw to good effect last start, bouncing straight to the lead and scoring an all-the-way win over 1400m at Kembla Grange. Sure to be thereabouts. UNWRITTEN (13) chipped away late when fourth over 1300m here from the wide gate. Maps poorly again but the fast tempo helps.
SELECTIONS: No doubting Don't Doubt Merlin.
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GRAFTON: RACE 6 @ 3:58 PM
STAR OF KONGO (12) is a 21 start maiden but he's shown in his last two starts when runner-up over similar trips at Tamworth and Grafton that he's close to a win. Not a lot of depth in this race so he gets every possible chance to break through. FLEE WITH ME (2) started well in the market at Grafton last time and was a shade disappointing in fifth. Entitled to another shot in a similar event. IMMORTELLE (6) has shown some improvement as she's stepped up in distance so this trip should help and she has a show at odds. STRONG LATTE (13) has a place hope and best of the rest is probably BEDTIME (4)
SELECTIONS: Star Of Kongo to win.
HAMILTON: RACE 3 @ 1:25 PM
FARAG (2) is racing consistently and can break through. He's been beaten narrowly in strong maiden hurdles at his past two, beaten under a length by Normandy Bridge two back before starting $1.65 and just being knocked off by Stockman last time. This looks a very winnable affair, he should be winning. Outside of Farag, it's anyones race. The best of them might be SPLIT (4) who has won two in a row on the flat and makes his jumps debut. His trials have been rock solid and Pateman goes aboard. Can figure. MUNGERANNIE (3) is going okay on the flat and can be an improver back over the obstacles now. DIAMONDIFEROUS (6) maybe next best.
SELECTIONS: Farag to win.
SEYMOUR: RACE 6 @ 3:10 PM
GRINZINGER POD (1) just missed at Sandown Lakeside three back and then returned the latest and was narrowly beaten again. That's good form for this contest, and the 3kg claim takes care of most of the weight rise. The one they have to beat. TI TREE LAD (11) will be in the finish at best and looked a run short at Ballarat first-up. Proved second up and he will get every chance from the handy barrier. GUNADO (8) is on the improve and just missed at Murray Bridge last time. has a wide barrier but John Allen is reunited and count on him to manage. RANAKYE (10) has prepared for the third-up go with two runs on the synthetic. His best turf run would have her well in the mix. LA MEETING (3) resumes off a big Maiden win at Kilmore and has jumped out well. Will have come on and keep safe.
SELECTIONS: Backing Grinzinger Pod to win.
SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 6 @ 3:31 PM
SIR MAURICE (2) was a touch disappointing last time out but the form prior was good enough for a race like this. Is one from one over this track and trip and gets some well-needed weight relief with the 3kg claim. Respect from the Bruce barn. ITALIAN DANCER (3) is first-up here but has won when fresh before and is another to get some weight off. Looks a winning hope while fresh. WHISKEY AND BEER (4) is a two-time winner here on his home surface and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Can play a pivotal role. IRISH THUNDER (8) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks one for the exotics players. HERECOMESANTORINI (6) next in line from the favourable draw.
SELECTIONS: Sir Maurice to bounce back.
PORT AUGUSTA: RACE 3 @ 1:45 PM
THINKINGNINTYNINE (5) looks the one to beat here. Drawn well, has performed on the dirt and brings strongest form lines. She potentially has a bit more upside than most of her rivals as well. Clear top pick and might be able to make a statement against this lot. HENRY'S FAITH (11) has been consistent of late but needs to find a length or two. He can run well at his stable debut. AMBITIOUS CREEK (1) mixes his form but his best looks good enough to run top three here. LES VOSGES (8) brings winning form and must be a chance to go back-to-back. WIRRINYA (12) goes in if you're looking for something at a price.
SELECTIONS: Backing Thinkingninetynine to win.
HOBART: RACE 4 @ 1:00 PM
JEHBENTI (1) resumed for the new yard improved beaten 1L here in a CL1 as favourite and the money came again following and he comfortably delivered a 60 at the track. Has a handy 2kg claim and fitter again can go back-to-back. OLIVE GIRL (7) resumes and placed here three back her only fresh outing. Won an Open 3 following and then wasn't beaten far in Stakes grade. The knock on her is the 546 days she's been off the scene. She's trialled well here, however, and certainly has the class. MISS KEEDS (6) disappointed here last time freshened, but had been nudged out the two prior and they stack up. Maps for the run of the race and anticipate a much sharper effort. LISPECTOR (5) would be in the finish at best and has the blinkers applied for the first time. Has been kept fresh and can do better. STARS IN THE NIGHT (8) will be around the mark if she brings her best synthetic efforts to the turf.
SELECTIONS: Jehbenti with the race form/fitness.
CARNARVON: RACE 4 @ 3:35 PM
WESTERN IMPACT (3) looks the one to beat off a dominant performance here last start in a CL3. He was close in this grade two back and will carry less weight today after the claim of Webster. Should be handy enough in the run and if he can replicate his latest performance, he can go back-to-back. IMPERIALIZE (5) jumped favourite ahead of Western Impact last start but couldn't match motors late in the race. The inside draw can see him better placed today under Faithfull and he can turn the tables. LACEVINSKY (1) hasn't been far away in recent efforts and the rise in trip won't be an issue. He's placed 4/5 at the trip and if he continues his run of form, he won't be far away at the finish. TRADED CROWN (8) wasn't far away first-up at this track and trip and he usually improves with racing. Include. MONTY ZOOMER (6) won't be far away if he can get across from a sticky barrier.
SELECTIONS: Western Impact makes plenty of appeal.
