Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for June 26.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Hawkesbury, Dalby,
Murwillumbah, Northam and Bendigo.
HAWKESBURY: RACE 3 @ 2:05 PM
LE CHOCOLAT (4) resumes from a spell of nine months and looked close to a win before that break, finishing off with a minor placing over 1500m at Newcastle. Fitter for a minor placing in a recent Rosehill trial. Strong winning chance on best figures. OSO SPIRITED (8) resumed over 1400m at Randwick Kensington when sitting on the pace before fading in the straight to finish sixth. Strips fitter in this easier assignment and will take catching. JAMARNI (3) is close to a win and fitness will take him a long way here. On the quick backup after running third over 1300m here on June 17. No excuses today. DEVOTED TO YOU (7) So You Think filly from Not Only Florina on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Had four trials in readiness for this and the blinkers go on. Keep safe.
SELECTIONS: Le Chocolat to get off the mark.
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DALBY: RACE 1 @ 12:20 PM
The maiden stayers kick us off. ORMOND ROAD (1) has hit the top-five in all five starts this preparation and looks to be working up to a maiden victory. Hit the frame in town last time out and will find this assignment much easier. Gets some weight off with the claim and rates the testing material. PREFER TO DANCE (5) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and strikes a very winnable contest here. Looms as the main danger. PIERANT (4) has been a touch disappointing at the past couple but the form prior was good enough for a race like this. Respect from the Archibald camp. SAVEA (2) is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate two and will be rock-hard fit for this. May earn some minor money.
SELECTIONS: Ormond Road to shed the maiden tag.
MURWILLUMBAH: RACE 4 @ 2:20 PM
Speedy filly ALMALIKAT SARAH (9) improves at each outing. Led for home last start over 1400m at Ballina but just failed to hold on. Draws a far better alley this time so she should get a comfortable lead and can collect a well-deserved win. SHAMOUTI (11) returned a good figure two back over a similar trip to this at the Gold Coast then struggled when extended to a mile at Doomben last time. Back in her right race today and from gate one makes plenty of appeal. RUM RUNNER (7) warmed up late to finish third over 1200m at the Gold Coast recently. Open to further improvement at the third run back. SHARMAN PETE (8) has struggled on heavy tracks since resuming. The prospect of a slightly firmer surface today could spark a return to form. Hard to see the other runners threatening.
SELECTIONS: Almalikat Sarah to lead all the way and score.
NORTHAM: RACE 3 @ 3:42 PM
SETAGAYA (9) is another strong winning chance for the potent Pike-Durrant linkage. She missed a whisker here first-up off Lark Hill trial win. Fitter and can go one better. MAJESTIC PRINCESS (10) resumes with Chris Parnham sticking aboard and on song would be a threat. Placed at both starts last preparation in decent enough Maidens and will be naturally improved. She's likely to sit back and come late. VAIN UNIVERSE (11) resumed as a short-priced favourite here 18 days ago and didn't finish it off (slow to recover). Keeps the 4kg claim, but she has an outside gate to manage. That makes it awkward, but it may pay to follow the money. RARE HONOR (5) debuts, and his recent trials have been good. Has the inside barrier and is worth a betting watch.
SELECTIONS: Backing Setagaya.
BENDIGO: RACE 9 @ 4:30 PM
KIRA (12) resumed with a 2L defeat on the Mornington heavy for a leading metro stable and has more in the tank. Performs second-up and maps for the run of the race. Fitter and tough to roll with conditions to suit. IMPENDING SHADOW (2) peaks and has been racing in better class in town. Won a 70 at Echuca three back and the 3kg claim brings her into it. FIELDS OF COURAGE (6) resumes for Bedggood and has switched stables. He's proven fresh and has pieces of form that would see him competitive. Keep onside. YOOMEE WONDER (14) deserved the Swan Hill Maiden win and John Allen sticks aboard. She has upside and won't have to improve much to get into the finish.
SELECTIONS: Backing Kira.
