Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for November 2.
Australian thoroughbred meeting are today held at Muswellbrook, Nowra, Mornington, Cairns, Naracoorte and Albany.
MUSWELLBROOK: RACE 5 @ 4:20 PM
NAVY STEEL (2) consistent gelding who meets a few of these much better at the weights after resuming with a fast-finishing second over 900m at Scone in a strong rating contest. Winning rider goes back on and looks to have returned in good order. EL BEATLE (7) strong win first up at Port Macquarie, before holding on late when sixth over 1100m at Coonamble. Down sharply in weight with the claim and sure to figure prominently. SUPER FREDS (4) scored a long overdue victory when he swamped his rivals late over 900m at Scone. Tempo suits and should cope with the rise in weight. DESIROUS (10) finding it hard to breakthrough and minor place claims look best.
SELECTIONS: Navy Steel to go one better.
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NOWRA: RACE 6 @ 4:35 PM
FLORAL LEGEND (3) has been racing consistently peaks for a Sydney barn off narrow defeats at Goulburn. Has the rails gate and has plenty of early tow. Collett is a key jockey engagement and she sets a decent standard. Tough to beat. FIERCE IMPULSE (9) debuts and is also in a smart metro stable. The trials have been good and JVO rides from a handy gate. A bold run looks on the cards. SIMPLY NUTBUSH (1) resumes and has been racing in stronger. Has an awkward barrier and brings a big Warwick Farm trial win and has to be kept safe. ELLISMAYNE (5) is an improver in good hands and look for him to come late.
SELECTIONS: Backing Floral Legend.
MORNINGTON: RACE 6 @ 4:00 PM
NAINA (3) wasn't disgraced in city class second-up off a near miss at Ballarat. Won't find this assignment as tough and has been kept up to the mark with a Flemington jumpout. Fitter again and a bold showing expected. ON BROADWAY (4) resumed and finished just a half a length from the winner over 1600m at Tatura after racing on the pace. Must raise the bar again, but with the extra fitness she can threaten. FINALE (6) hasn't won for more than a year but has pieces of form that would see her feature. She just missed here three back at this level and can't be taken lightly. BON FETE (5) peaks today and is still well shy of her best. Has been giving away starts but has a key gear addition and is worth keeping onside.
SELECTIONS: Naina appeals most.
CAIRNS: RACE 1 @ 12:45 PM
IT'S BEEN A TREK (2) is in great form, lifting strongly to score last start over 1400m at this track to make it two on the bounce. Good record at this journey with three wins and two minor placings from six starts and is right in this contest. INDEFINITE (1) settled well back then made a little ground and finished 2.75 lengths away in fifth last time out over 1200m at Townsville eight days ago. Steps up in journey today and can play a role in the outcome. SIR MAXIMUS (4) started at $9.50 last time and ran below expectations, finishing seventh and beaten 5.5 lengths at Townsville over 1400m. Yet to miss the frame in two starts over this course and distance and is a likely improver with strong prospects. NOBLE ATTACK (3) turned in a decent effort last start to finish third over 1500m at Innisfail. Nicely placed to feature in the finish.
SELECTIONS: It's Been A Trek to bring up the hat-trick.
NARACOORTE: RACE 7 @ 5:20 PM
GREENIDGE (3) looks ready to bounce back after fading late as favourite over 1400m at Penola. Drops to a preferred trip and is unbeaten at this venue. Plenty to like. GUSTY WAY (8) charged home for second when resuming over 1075m and will relish the extra ground second-up. Tough to hold out. ROCKTAGON (9) has been narrowly beaten in his last two and gets Pannell to offset the wide draw. Due for a breakthrough and should be right there again. CAPTAIN JOOLIAN (2) improved sharply second-up and steps out over further with added fitness. Crowther reunites and he's a genuine winning chance.
SELECTIONS: Greenidge to win.
ALBANY: RACE 5 @ 4:25 PM
BITOFMERIT (1) is fitter for three trials coming into this. He only had one run last campaign where he tackled the Summer Scorcher at Listed level as a $7 chance. This is much easier than what he tackled there and Cheung's claims is a big tick. Looks set for a bold performance on resumption. BLUE LINE (4) is a winner first-up in the past and ended last campaign in positive fashion at this track. He just missed at this track and trip two starts ago as the race favourite. Ear muffs coming off is a massive tick and he can put his best foot forward on resumption. HEAD'EM (7) will be fitter for a recent trial and has moved to the Rogers stable from Victoria since his last start in February. He was a handy country Victorian galloper and was tested at Provincial and Metro company. Down in the weights and looks a live chance. PADDY'S FLYIN' (8) is race fit and has claims following a good effort last time out. COUSIN IVAN (6) is not out of this first-up.
SELECTIONS: Bitofmerit makes plenty of appeal.
