Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for August 13.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meeting are today held at Randwick Kensington, Sandown Lakeside, Eagle Farm, Murray Bridge and Belmont Park.
RANDWICK KENSINGTON: RACE 4 @ 2:35 PM
AXIUS (1) has a good record at this track and races best with his runs spaced. Stalked the speed second up and knocked up late in a much tougher contest when fourth over 1200m at Rosehill in BM78 class. Winning apprentice hops back aboard and he looks too good for these. THE REPLICANT (7) deep into his prep and has excellent heavy track credentials. Rounded up a similar lineup with a tough win 1300m at Warwick Farm. Can handle the rise in weight and shapes as the main danger. CROP DUSTER (3) tough gelding who gets through the conditions. Will find this more to his liking. Chipped away late when seventh over 1300m at Randwick in BM78 grade. Key jockey change from the better draw. C'MON MATE (2) came out fast from the awkward gate on resumption when a tenacious on pace second over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Clearly returned in good order and not without each-way claims.
SELECTIONS: Axius should assert his authority.
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SANDOWN-LAKESIDE: RACE 6 @ 3:55 PM
TAKA SPEED (8) is a progressive gelding in the smart Laurie yard. Followed an impressive debut win with a near miss this grade at Sale, stepping up to 1740m. He has early speed, and Lane is a key jockey engagement. Fitter again and can bounce back. Maher-trained IGOTCHA (4) raced favourite on the Hillside in a 70 and showed more like her best as the favourite. She keeps Bates' handy 2kg claim, and has more up her sleeve. Has to be considered, as does stablemate JARETH (5), a former Irish galloper who was sharply better on the Hillside second-up, also in stronger. Draws low today and is up to this. TESER (6) was better again, narrowly beaten here this grade over 1400m. He will position forward and get every chance. HIS FINEST HOUR (10) resumes for a top barn with Zahra booked. Showed enough two back on debut to keep very safe.
SELECTIONS: With Taka Speed.
EAGLE FARM: RACE 3 @ 1:43 PM
Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade QUICKZOU (4) just found one better at Doomben on debut and will have taken a lot from the day at the races. Maloney sticks in the saddle following that first-up placing and only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the finish. CRYPTIC BEAUTY (9) finished runner-up over this track and trip last time out and looks to be improving with racing. Gets 1.5kg off from the low draw and can make her presence felt. READY FOR ZION (11) will strip fitter second-up from the spell and rates among the leading hopes from the Munce barn. BLUE WHITE BLUE (2) looked to have some ability placing in a recent trial and any market support must be respected. BOSS MODE (3) next in line on the back of a debut placing at Gold Coast.
SELECTIONS: Quickzou to shed the maiden tag.
MURRAY BRIDGE: RACE 1 @ 12:40 PM
Tricky start to the card with plenty of first starters kicking off. Happy to side with the race experience and think DAPPER DON (3) gets his chance to break through. He's been placed in three of his seven starts including a narrow defeat at this track and distance last time. He's drawn well and gets a 3kg claim so he will be hard to catch. REOFFER (8) comes out of the same race and is potentially open to a bit more improvement second-up here. RAMBLING (7) is a newcomer to SA but boasts an impressive pedigree and has been OK in several Victorian maidens. Expect she can measure up. IT'SABOUTTIME (13) and KING RAMSIS (6) are also worth some thought.
SELECTIONS: Backing Dapper Don to win.
BELMONT PARK: RACE 7 @ 6:40 PM
GI GI POPS (8) started in the market in Saturday grade last start when only 1.4L off the winner in heavy going at Pinjarra. She'll find this easier and she ticks plenty of boxes with the added fitness on her side. She looks to have plenty of improvement to come and she'll be very hard to gun down from the front. TEABISCUIT (12) won two back but was DQ'd two back and almost got the job done last start at this track and trip when setting the tempo. He remains right down in the weights and he has the speed to offset a sticky gate. Can get the job done this time. CLEANEMUP (3) settled back last start and got over the top to score over 1200m here. Up in trip now, but is likely to be ridden how she was last start and a repeat effort will see her go close to winning. LINDEN'S GOLD (1) got the job done last start in narrow fashion and is looking for the hat-trick. Class horse of the field and can score despite the big weight. OUTFIELD (11) won't be far away if he runs to recent figures.
SELECTIONS: Keen to back Gi Gi Pops.
