Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for June 30.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Ballina, Rockhampton, Devonport Synthetic, Casterton, Dubbo, Broome, Ballarat, Alice Springs and Bunbury.
BALLINA: RACE 4 @ 1:55 PM
CLUBHOUSE (9) twelve-start maiden due for a change of luck. Came across from the wide gate and gave his all when a tiring second over 1410m at Lismore on June 18. On the quick back-up and has genuine top-three claims. FAMILY BONDING (19) never comfortable in the heavy (8) going when sixth over 1200m at Murwillumbah on June 10. Earlier efforts were okay and desperate for a firmer track. TOSEN DREAMER (8) was far from her best when resuming last start at Lismore. Willing to forgive on best efforts and is worth including. DAZZLING ROBERT (6) next best.
SELECTIONS: Clubhouse to win.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Ballina Computer Card
ROCKHAMPTON: RACE 3 @ 12:05 PM
MONDAY CHOICE (6) put in two handy runs here including one over this trip before being tipped out for time to furnish. Has since tuned up for this with a dominant trial victory and looks ready to shed the maiden tag. STEP TO SUCCESS (5) showed ability placing at Townsville when facing the starter for the first time and will have derived a stack of benefit from that race day experience. Has to be included. AGNES WATERS (8) strips fitter second-up and may earn some minor money. BUTE MOVES (1) next in line while fresh.
SELECTIONS: Monday Choice to win.
DEVONPORT SYNTHETIC: RACE 4 @ 1:47 PM
TURK BOY (3) resumed at Hobart with e near miss (further improved) and was too good here following as a short-priced favourite. The wide barrier needs managing but he can keep improving and should go close. CHICANE (6) disappointed as the favourite at Hobart but his form here the two efforts prior stack right up. Peaks on a 7-day return but needs a good ride from the outside gate. EXALTED CROWN (4) impressed winning easily here over a mile. Has to come back to a sprint but should secure a soft run but the in-form Pires takes over from the 3kg apprentice. He can win again without surprise. EASTCOAST MISS (9) resumes and would be a chance if presented on-song. Gets in well with the 3kg claim but also needs luck from the awkward gate.
SELECTIONS: Backing Turk Boy.
DUBBO: RACE 5 @ 3:26 PM
SPORTS PAGE (9) was a dominant winner over 1300m here two weeks ago and won't find this any harder. Doesn't want a heavy track so that's the only caveat but she's hard to beat. HIT THE RIM (1) seems to be finding some form again and was game chasing an all the way winner in the Gulgong Cup. Claim helps and should run well. ALLAY (6) won nicely over this course last time out and stays under notice again. D'ARPANO (11) and SKYFORGER (5) are worth including.
SELECTIONS: Sports Page to win.
BROOME: RACE 1 @ 3:36 PM
THERMOSPHERE LAD (1) followed up some good form at the trials with a big run for second at Northam fresh up 17 days ago. He raced greenly that day and will relish the extra furlong on offer here. He should be the one to beat this time. ALOTTA DANE (3) had plenty of trial experience before finishing third here on debut just over 3 weeks ago. With the natural improvement that is expected second up, he should be hard to hold out. THE LYRICIST (8) only battled on to run sixth here last start over 1300 metres and is probably better off over the shorter trip of 1200 metres for now. She has a good draw and is worth another chance. ORTABEAROCKSTAR (6) turned her form around with a solid effort for second here last time out. She doesn't have to improve by much to go one better this time.
SELECTIONS: Thermosphere to win.
BALLARAT: RACE 7 @ 3:45 PM
EL ROCKO (6) was a strong winner two back at Pakenham over this trip before another solid effort at Sandown-Hillside when third, beaten a length. Doesn't boast the best strike rate but only needs to hold his current form to take this out. CHILL THE KRUG (12) was poor last time at Sandown-Lakeside but had been racing well prior, beaten a head over 1300m at Bendigo. Can bounce back. HEAVENLY EAGLE (11) was good two back at Caulfield Heath which reads well. POWER MISSILE (9) can go on with a first-up victory at Hamilton.
SELECTIONS: El Rocko to win.
CASTERTON: RACE 7 @ 4:05 PM
WHAT A FLIRT (8) returned further improved with a narrow defeat at Swan Hill. It was a big effort from the wide barrier and she can race handy today from an inside draw. The step up in trip suits and she rates the one to beat. BUNJIL (4) resumed well-supported in the same race but looked in need of it. He's trialled since and the extra metres suit. A much better effort is anticipated. SHAKE'N'BAKE (6) has placed as favourite his last two. Uses the rail and can make the finish. BRECHEN (3) comes back to the turf and has more to give. Has the blinkers on again and and is also a hope.
SELECTIONS: Backing What A Flirt.
ALICE SPRINGS: RACE 4 @ 4:25 PM
DAKOTA LEE (1) is a super local mare who is unbeaten in all of her 9 starts on this track. He weight is not too prohibitive for this class and she should be far too good again. SUPREME TIMES (3) has been an honest performer for a long time and thanks to the top pick he too is also nicely weighted for this class. He has a handy gate and can fill the exacta spot. FLYING START (4) seldom runs a bad race and was runner-up behind the top pick when resuming here a fortnight ago. He improves with racing and can run second again. LUSKIN HERO (2) was stood down after bleeding from the nostrils at the Sunshine Coast last spring and has since changed stables. He is the unknown factor in this field and does have good form when resuming from a spell. Watch for any market moves.
SELECTIONS: Dakota Lee to win.
BUNBURY: RACE 7 @ 6:12 PM
HOSTILE TALK (3) rattled home from a long way back over 1014m here last time out and looks ready for the rise in trip now third-up into the campaign. CJP remains in the saddle and he has options from the alley. He has plenty of upside and with improvement likely, he can get the job done. SAINTLY CITY (4) can put himself on the speed from the barrier and is nicely placed with the 1.5kg claim. He is a winner over 1200m previously, so out to 1100m is no issue. Trending the right way and can put his best foot forward again. JELLY CAN RUN (2) got the job done impressively over 1214m here on June 12th when running on strongly from well back. There looks to be good pace engaged which should help his chances and he'll love any sting out of the ground. Right in the mix. LIGHTNING GOLD (8) can continue on his winning ways after a narrow victory at Kalgoorlie last start. TARARUA (6) is better than he showed last time out and the slight rise in trip should suit. Include.
SELECTIONS: Hostile Talk gets the nod.