Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for September 24.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meeting are today held at Warwick Farm, Sandown Hillside, Eagle Farm, Belmont and Balaklava.
WARWICK FARM: RACE 2 @ 3:00 PM
NAPOLEONIC (6) met with solid support and justified the confidence with an effortless maiden win first-up over this distance at Wyong. Improved sharply second-up in the maiden prep so if he shows similar progress here another win is on the cards. OHOPE (8) has thrived since arriving in the Michael Freedman stable this prep, winning first-up at Hawkesbury over 1100m then sticking on gamely for third last time at the same track. Very fit and capable of stepping up to city company. SIRIUSLY HOT (4) came from nowhere to score first-up over 1250m at the Kensington track. Tested in three stakes races last prep so the Maher stable thinks a lot of this gelding. Can win again without surprising. JOHNNY (7) has hardly put a foot wrong in his three runs to date and from a nice gate looks sure to be thereabouts again. DUKE OF ARRAKIS (2) is flying at the trials for Waterhouse/Bott and should be prominent for a long way.
SELECTIONS: Napoleonic to win again.
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SANDOWN-HILLSIDE: RACE 7 @ 4:55 PM
Keen to see OBSERVER (10) return for his second campaign. Now with the Maher yard, he was a dominant winner at start two and while disappointing before a spell at Flemington, he's got ability and plenty of scope to improve this time around. REGAL MIGHT (2) showed speed and ran a strong race fresh at Seymour over 1200m when beaten a length. He's been given a let-up between runs but the 1300m suits and he'll take plenty of catching from the inside gate. SUGAR COAT (8) resumes. He contested some handy races last time in without winning, beaten 1.5 lengths as an odds-on favourite first up at Geelong. Should be hitting the line strongly late. BARBARIC LAD (3) found the 1000m too sharp on resumption but can be a quick improver out to a better trip.
SELECTIONS: Observer to win.
EAGLE FARM: RACE 3 @ 2:08 PM
Gollan-trained SOME STYLE (7) led and missed a whisker heavily bet at Doomben and then jumped even shorter at Ipswich, beaten 1L when having to work early. Has a jockey switch with Ben Thompson reunited, and she's clearly the one they have to beat. SOMETHING SHINY (5) is showing promise and rolls up here on a 6-day back-up. Led the latest at Beaudesert and may do the same here. Presents fitter and is a quinella hope. HE'SGOTTHESAY (3) resumes and ran a good number at this track/trip at his lone fresh outing. Two back, he missed a whisker at Ipswich and maps for the run of the race. Keep onside. Jones is off Some Style and rides BILTMORE (10) for the Waller yard. He's been switched from the Flemington stable on a 21-day return, and two back did a good job to place at Seymour. That would have him in the finish, and the betting will be key with him. OLD FAITHFUL (1) debuts for the Kendrick yard and draws inside. Was close-up in his latest trial, and he's likely to race well.
SELECTIONS: Hard to risk Some Style.
BELMONT PARK: RACE 4 @ 3:14 PM
BRAVE WASP (7) trialled impressively and ran up to that effort when well backed in Saturday grade 11 days ago, beaten just 0.3L. Back to a midweek maiden now and he has the adaptability to be forward in the run or settle back. Looks a nice type who can knock over the maiden now. HOT CHIX LANE (13) jumped favourite on debut at Northam and never really looked likely, finishing 3.2L off the winner. Up to 1200m is a big tick for her though and she now gets the visors on. Maps for a cosy run and can show what she's capable of now. TORONADO ROCKET (5) just missed first-up in a similar race at Bunbury 2 weeks ago. He was off a long break there and should be better for that performance. Pike sticks with him and he can go one better without surprising. HYPERREAL (1) flew home first-up and can be in the finish again despite the tricky gate. DOMINATUS (9) looks as though he wants further, but he was strong late in his latest trial and he's worth keeping an eye on.
SELECTIONS: Brave Wasp is the one to beat.
BALAKLAVA: RACE 3 @ 3:25 PM
OAKLEY MISS (13) looks a standout here after a solid first-up run behind her stablemate. She was placed in Stakes company second-up last campaign and the winner has subsequently won at G3 level. She is fitter and might be able to settle a bit closer in the run this time. A firmer track is probably in her favour too. SAFE BET (10) has placed three of his four starts and has bumped into a couple of smart ones so far this preparation. He should get a cosy run from the inside draw and can be in the finish. Dalasan's little sister FREEDOM FLAME (12) looks ready to peak third-up after showing solid improvement between her first two runs this campaign. PRINCESS ON PALM (8) looks to have upside and can improve into the money second-up, while SASSY SOPHIE (14) is drawn well and has been racing consistently. Not sure about the step back to 1400m for her though.
SELECTIONS: Backing Oakley Miss to win.
