Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for June 02.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Sandown, Wangaratta, Kilcoy, Penola, Bunbury and Devonport .
SANDOWN-LAKESIDE: RACE 2 @ 12:45 PM
INSTIGATOR (5) gave Stern Idol a huge fright two back in The Brierly at Warrnambool over 3450m, running the star jumper within a neck. He wasn't as effective last start in the Grand Annual Steeple over 5500m but this trip looks like a sweet spot for him. BELL EX ONE (1) was very good in the Grand Annual, giving the winner 3kg and going down by a nose. Has to carry top weight here but rates highly. COUNT ZERO (2) won the Grand Annual at $26. Much shorter this time around and fancy the drop back in trip may be slightly against. CROSSHILL (4) was good in the Grand Annual and can't be discounted. RIDING HIGH (3) perhaps next best.
SELECTIONS: Instigator to win.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Sandown Computer Card.
WANGARATTA: RACE 9 @ 4:15 PM
SIRIUS STATEMENT (4) resumed improved winning this grade at Pakenham and then just missed here in stronger than this. Has more weight but will be fitter and she won't lose anything with the switch from Rawiller to McDougall. TORONLUCA (8) placed off a long break and then lifted that figure beaten 1L at Pakenham. He will be fitter again and has more to give. Has Rawiller up and can finish over the top of them. IMPENDING SHADOW (6) ran a strong figure in a 70 in town and then got too far back in a 64 at Bendigo 42 days ago. Has won a trial since and is a winning chance dropping back to the sprint.
SELECTIONS: Sirius Statement to win.
KILCOY: RACE 4 @ 2:47 PM
WORLDY SPIRIT (9) just missed the placings at Toowoomba when facing the starter for the first time before a close-up second there last time out. Draws low, gets 1.5kg off with the claim and appears to be improving with racing. Looks the testing material. ALLEZIZZY (1) placed over this journey last time and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Rates a serious danger. OUR BLING (4) has been thereabouts at the past four outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Can threaten this line-up. GYPSY WHITE SOCKS (2) resumes here and may run a race while fresh. MUST BE THE MONEY (3) best of the rest in a race lacking depth.
SELECTIONS: Worldly Spirit to break through.
PENOLA: RACE 4 @ 2:52 PM
MESCAMINTO (2) chased gamely into the placings when resuming at Wodonga last start. Usually improves with runs under her belt and drops back in grade on the short turnaround. Leading contender. ZEPHYR WINGS (1) returns and makes his stable debut for Naomi Bourke. Has found it tough to notch up the second win but has come close on many occasions. Right up to this on best form. MR WHITACRE (4) has been nowhere near his best in his two runs back. He will appreciate the rise in trip and can improve sharply third-up. OUR ELLIE ROSE (5) only warmed to her task late last time at Mt Gambier. Heavily exposed mare but has claims on best figures. Keep safe.
SELECTIONS: Siding with Mescaminto.
BUNBURY: RACE 9 @ 6:40 PM
ANTIQUE QUEEN (8) bolted in under the urgings of Pike last time out at her first try over the longer trip. Pike remains in the saddle and the extra journey doesn't appear to hurt. She's a filly on the way up and she can build on the impressive last start win. FLASH DUCATI (2) won narrowly two back and backed that effort up with another strong effort at Northam in this company. Martinan takes 3kgs off this time and he has enough early speed to get across. Will take plenty of beating. BIG SWOOP (9) disappointed 28 days ago at Northam behind Flash Ducati, but he was in fine form prior to that. The inside draw should see him handy in the run and if he can bounce back to his best, he'll be in this race for a long way. TAK GOES BOOM (7) scored a good win last start at York as favourite and can go on with the job without surprising. CHUCK A LUCK (5) can return to form dropping back to a more suitable distance.
SELECTIONS: Antique Queen can go on with the job.
DEVONPORT SYNTHETIC: RACE 6 @ 3:08 PM
SEYDOUX (1) brings two easy wins with the late here this grade. Keeps a handy 3kg claim and the speedy mare can deliver the hat trick. G3 winner TONY NICCONI (2) resumes owning a big trial win and fies this course/distance. He will push forward and is sure to give a sight. ETOSHA (3) also runs along and almost made it three in a row at Hobart in a 66. Keeps the 3kg claim and maps well. Not sure she's at her best on this track but is going too well to dismiss. EXTREME GEM (5)resumed off a G3 and is proven fresh. Uses the rial and brings a solid trial. Newitt rides first time and that's a push.
SELECTIONS: Sticking with Seydoux.
