Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 18.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Warwick Farm, Caulfield Heath, Ascot, Scone, Queanbeyan, Ipswich and Port Lincoln.
WARWICK FARM: RACE 7 @ 5:50 PM
UP TO MISCHIEF (3) raced handy and battled on well for second when resuming over this distance at Canterbury four weeks ago. Promising mare who won second-up in the country last prep. Gets some nice weight relief today. Maps beautifully and looks the one they have to beat. RAGGA RAGGA (4) savaged the line late but just missed in a busy finish over 1100m at Canterbury last time out. That was the lightly raced mare's first appearance in 14 weeks so expect her to improve, particularly over the slightly longer journey. SLINKY (9) was there if good enough but just missed the placings in the same race as Ragga Ragga at Canterbury 19 days ago. Rarely far away and is sure to be competitive again. MISS REBEL (6) is a model of consistency and a must for exotics players. NOT THAT EASY (7) chased home a smart one here last time and cannot be ruled out.
SELECTIONS: Like Up To Mischief.
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CAULFIELD HEATH: RACE 8 @ 7:30 PM
KINGS VALLEY (7) goes on top. He won his maiden nicely fresh over 1400m at Horsham and has been very narrowly beaten as favourite in two runs since, the latest over this track and trip. He won't need to do much more to be winning this. PURVEYOR (5) ran well fresh at this track and trip in a similar race, beaten just a neck. Tricky draw but Williams goes on and he should be fitter. FRIDAY AT FIVE (6) is racing consistently well, edged out in the Dunkeld Cup two back and good again here in a BM70 last time. She looks to get an ideal run trailing the pace here and only goes up 1kg from the last run. BEAUTIFUL JEWEL (12) is coming off a soft maiden win on heavy ground at Bendigo and can measure up, with the rise to 1800m in her favour. SACRED EAGLE (2) next best.
SELECTIONS: Kings Valley to win.
ASCOT: RACE 4 @ 6:34 PM
LIFEISBUTADREAM (4) dipped at the end of last campaign after working through the grades nicely prior. She's turned in a very nice trial behind a horse who has since won in Saturday grade. CJP sticks from the trial and she can return in winning form. CLOSE AT HAND (1) had a good hit out at the trials recently where he got the job done. Nunes rides this gelding too and he was a good run first-up last campaign behind Jokers Grin. Maps for a cosy run and can be getting the job done. ROCKING GEM (8) is another who worked through the grades nicely last campaign and she showed plenty of class in a recent trial. She was a dominant maiden winner prior to the end of last campaign and she should be up front from the draw. Sure to take plenty of catching. HOME JAMES (7) will be fitter for three trials coming into this and won't be far away.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Lifeisbutadream.
SCONE: RACE 7 @ 5:29 PM
SIR REMLAP (2) exciting sprinter who jumped quickly in grade second-up when hitting the line hard to finish fifth over 1100m at Rosehill in Highway grade on November 30. Undefeated on his home track and has the class to overcome the sticky draw. The one to beat. SPECK (8) made it two wins from five starts when winding up strongly to score in a tight finish over 1000m at Tamworth on December 2. Sure to be thereabouts again. MANAGE THE CYCLE (9) three of his five wins have come at his trip and can return to form today. Trapped wide and never looked a serious threat when sixth over 1258m at Taree on December 3. Looks over the odds at his current price. PANTA RHEI (12) classy 4.5 len winner on debut when leading throughout over 1000m at Muswellbrook on November 29. Braith Nock keeps the ride and will need luck from the sticky gate.
SELECTIONS: Sir Remlap to win.
QUEANBEYAN: RACE 1 @ 2:14 PM
ROMAN SONG (7) has had plenty of chances but she's been competing at the provincials. Missed a whisker three back over shorter, and she hasn't had the best of luck since. Maps well and is suited. GOODBYE STRANGER (2) improved again beaten 1.6L at Dubbo over a mile. Has the first time blinkers applied and the in-form Matt Cahill sticks aboard. Dubbo form is not to be discounted. RIGHT ON TARGET (5) debuts with the first time blinkers applied and Heywood is a key jockey engagement. He's been well trialled and the betting will be key. SHOOTING FIRM (8) was caught wide on the speed her on debut and will be better for it. Taylor rides and strikes at 20% on the undulating track.
SELECTIONS: Roman Song rates best.
IPSWICH: RACE 1 @ 2:06 PM
Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ALL TOO LATE (8) just missed the placings on debut when well in the market and where there's smoke there's fire. Will be better for that race day experience and can improve enough to take this out. BRAZEN SAILOR (2) looked good saluting on the Gold Coast when at the races for the first time and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Top-three candidate. SHEMAKESMENERVOUS (6) has been thereabouts in all three outings to date and is one for the multiples. The well-related ROYAL CHIC (11) (half to G1 winner Royal Merchant) has shown ability at the trials and any market support must be noted.
SELECTIONS: All Too Late to shed the maiden tag.
PORT LINCOLN: RACE 9 @ 5:10 PM
ROSE RING (7) hasn't been able to strike through for quite some time but put writing on the wall here last start when beaten a lip. Strips rock-hard fit now and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Leading player. CHEF DE MISSION (4) has been in terrific form this campaign, narrowly missing out on last start from making it four wins for the campaign. Has enough early muster to offset the wide alley and is sure to give backers a great sight again. KINGSON (5) has built nicely into this campaign and is nearing a peak effort. Boasts a strong record over this course and distance. Deserves respect. CATALINA BLUE (9) arrived just in time to knock off Rose Ring here last start. Carries more weight this time but has to be included. EFFORTKAT (6) is knocking on the door and is another one to consider.
SELECTIONS: Rose Ring to win.
