Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for August 03.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meeting are today held at Sandown-Lakeside,
Sunshine Coast, Launceston, Gawler, Forbes, Port Hedland and Kalgoorlie.
SANDOWN-LAKESIDE: RACE 4 @ 2:20 PM
Great edition of the Grand National Hurdle and THE CUNNING FOX (1) is the one to beat back over the jumps. He's the best hurdler in the country at the moment, winning the MJ Bourke at Pakenham and the Galleywood at Warrnambool over key rivals. He had a beautiful tune up on the flat at Sandown Hillside last week and should take a power of beating. AFFLUENTIAL (2) is interesting. He tried hard behind The Cunning Fox in the Galleywood as a $2.60 chance and has since won a maiden chase by 16 lengths. Back to the smaller obstacles here but will certainly challenge. LOFT (7) was beaten by HIGHLAND BLAZE (5) last start, Loft starting $1.90 to win but going down by a length. Both are progressive and can measure up to the established ones. THE MIGHTY SPAR (3) is flying in the steeplechase scene of late, this is a different test.
SELECTIONS: The Cunning Fox to win.
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SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 1 @ 12:28 PM
Former Victorian SONECHKA (9) has just missed the placings in both runs since joining the new stable and strikes a very winnable contest here. Should be ready to peak now third-up from the spell and Lerena sticks following that last-start effort. Rates the testing material. BLOOD RED (4) is back from a spell but the form he showed when last in work was good enough for a race of this nature. Looms as the main danger while fresh. WELLY (5) put in a career-best performance last time out and will be rock-hard fit for this. Top-three conveyance. SERENE ECHO (7) is facing the starter for the first time but won't need to be a superstar to be competitive against this lot. Monitor market moves. SILVIO DANTE (1) best of the rest in a race with a long tail.
SELECTIONS: Sonechka to break through.
LAUNCESTON: RACE 5 @ 2:35 PM
PRESS FOR BOOM (2) was put aside after suffering an atrial fibrillation at Hobart in January. She looked in good shape at a recent trial, and did win her first 4 races straight. The winkers are off, and she can get her career back on track fresh up in this sort of field. On top. DANCING WOLF (3) won a trial before producing a modest effort fresh up at Hobart 2 weeks ago. She is unbeaten in a couple of starts second up, and will be hard to hold out in this. POPILITA (9) is resuming from a long spell after having just one start last season in the spring. She was third in a recent trial, and can perform fresh up. Use the market as your best guide. ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (5) is a handy mare resuming from a spell with 2 trials under her belt. She is nicely placed at the weights after a 3kg claim, and all of her 4 career wins have been on this track. Each way. FEAR THE STING (8) played up in the barriers when resuming and should be more settled second up. Include in all multiples to be safe.
SELECTIONS: Press For Boom can bounce back to her best, fresh up in this field.
GAWLER: RACE 3 @ 2:40 PM
Great race with several progressive types tackling each other. KORATORA (1) destroyed her rivals in maiden grade last start and can go on with it here. She likes the track, she handles wet conditions and she's drawn to give Opperman options in the run. She's the one they have to beat. JUST A JEWEL (6) handled the Heavy going third-up with a narrow victory at this track to secure her maiden victory as a 40-1 chance. The inside barrier can see her sit closer this time around and if she can run up to that performance, she'll be in the finish again. GUMERACHA CRACKER (4) showed enough last campaign to suggest she has some ability. Holder hopping on board first-up is a good push for her chances and she can land the knockout blow. ALL SHOT (2) looks to have plenty of upside and can resume on a positive note.
SELECTIONS: Backing Koratora to win.
FORBES: RACE 5 @ 2:55 PM
GIVE ME JOY (2) frustrating mare who finally got off the mark two back on the Canberra Acton. Contested a fairly strong C1 when raced without luck from the draw to finish eighth over 1400m at Grafton. Will race on the speed today and prove hard to stop. MOTORBOAT (4) just over six weeks between runs when coming to town for a wilting tenth, after showing early dash over 1100m at Rosehill in Highway class. Ticks a few boxes today and expected to take a hand in the finish. SLUSH FUND (3) worked his way into form third up with a dominant on pace win over 1300m at Bathurst. Zoe Hunt stays aboard and sure to be thereabouts. SORRY SUNSHINE (1) handy Wagga-trained gelding racing in a rich vein of form. Gets map favours and adept in all conditions. GEOSTORM (9) tough old gelding retaining his zest for racing. Well drawn and not to be underestimated.
SELECTIONS: Give Me Joy to return to winning form from the good gate.
PORT HEDLAND: RACE 5 @ 5:50 PM
BORDER CONTROL (1) has made Port Hedland a fortress, winning four on-end, all at this track this campaign. The gelding drops back to 1200m today where he bolted in by 2.3L two starts ago. Maps to get his chance and can extend the picket fence. OREGON HIKER (7) disappointed at Carnarvon last start but was in much better touch prior to that. The draw is a niggle, but he's worth forgiving off one bad run. Can return to form and put his best foot forward. FAMEUX (8) got the job done two back at Marble Bar before going around as favourite last start at Roebourne, being beaten 3.7L. Hard to ignore his recent efforts and the claim sees him nicely weighted. Big chance to go one better. ROEY CLAM (5) is not to be discounted getting back out to 1200m.
SELECTIONS: Border Patrol can win again.
KALGOORLIE: RACE 7 @ 6:45 PM
TWIST OF GOLD (3) should be so hard to beat again. She prefers to race up on the pace in her races and if anything coming back to the 1100m looks a better option. Gets a lovely run as well. ANOTHER LOVE (5) will be better for that resuming effort. She had run some decent races when trained in town. Can improve today. CALL TIME (9) just keeps finding a couple better each time. Might be better having that bit more room to move here. THE LIONS' GATE (2) got home in a surprise two back. The month off looks a plan. KLEVA CONNED (6) kicks back off after getting the maiden out of the way. The distance looks right.
SELECTIONS: Twist Of Gold looks the one.
