Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 10.
Australian thoroughbred meeting are today held at Wyong, Sandown Lakeside, Ipswich, Ascot, Strathalbyn and Launceston.
WYONG: RACE 5 @ 4:05 PM
Plenty of early pressure may well suit the more seasoned SUNDAY TYCOON (4). Has been going well without winning, is a course and distance winner already and is aided by the handy claim. Will park just off the hot pace and could be over the odds. NORTHLANDER (6) was heavily bet at Canberra on debut and got the job done. Drawn to box seat and expected to measure up. CUBAN CIGAR (10) is another debut winner and returns here after a strong win at Dubbo in a hot form race. Has good speed and take catching. VIVIAN'S EXPRESS (7) had just one start last time in and was a heavy track winner. Given time and worth keeping safe.
SELECTIONS: Sunday Tycoon could be value.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Wyong Computer Card.
SANDOWN-LAKESIDE: RACE 7 @ 7:00 PM
Very competitive race. GROUSE MOUNTAIN (1) has the benefit of a first up run and that could prove the difference. She was nosed out by the barest of margins over 1000m fresh but ran very well and is better suited going to 1200m here. She's got good speed, can take the lead and look to put a gap on her rivals down the dip. BETWITCHERY (3) resumes. Her form last campaign in some decent 3yo races reads well. This looks a nice race for her to kick off in. MARBLE POINT (13) hit the line strongly first up at Pakenham over this trip when left with too much to do. Her issue is the barrier draw and where she gets to again but she's got the ability. CHEWING GUM (11) keeps finding one or two better but is racing very well and will take beating with even luck from the inside gate. ESCARPA (7) tested a very smart horse in Tennessee Bound last time and that form should hold up nicely.
SELECTIONS: Grouse Mountain on top.
IPSWICH: RACE 2 @ 3:13 PM
ZOU BIG BOY (4) has been just behind the placegetters in both runs this campaign and will be ready to peak now third-up from the break. Gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination and can make his presence felt against this line-up. MAN OF THE TOWN (3) has won over this distance range, draws low and gets 3kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes for a race like this. EL PENSADOR (5) is one from one over this track and trip and strips fitter third-up. Watch for a better showing. The well-related LENAPE VIBE (1) (half to G2 winner Snitzanova) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and must be respected out of the champion Waller yard. Include in calculations. SAXON KING (2) next in line.
SELECTIONS: Siding with Zou Big Boy.
ASCOT: RACE 4 @ 3:20 PM
SEVEN CANDLES (1) jumped the odds-on fav at Pinjarra first-up following some nice trials and saluted impressively. The splits he ran to reel in his rivals were superb and he looks to have stacks of upside. Out in trip looks an ideal move and he may be able to take closer order from the draw. Looks the one to beat. PONY UP (6) jumped favourite last start when coming back from the Champion Fillies and finished 1.9L off the winner. That was a solid performance however and this looks to shape similarly. The 3kg claim comes in handy and she's expected to be in the finish. GINGER AND TONIC (3) closed off strongly from back in the field to end up 1.7L off the winner as an 80-1 shot. She turned in a good figure there and step back up in trip looks ideal. Can feature with a repeat performance. OISIN (2) is better than he showed last time out and can improve with Parnham replacing the apprentice. SKY GOD (5) is on the quick turnaround and is not to be discounted.
SELECTIONS: Seven Candles can go back-to-back.
STRATHALBYN: RACE 7 @ 5:10 PM
FLOREY (4) is a progressive mare resuming for the Jolly & Potter partnership. Has shown her share of ability and looked sharp in a recent jumpout. The 3kg claimer offsets the big weight and she's expected to take plenty of stitching. TAKING OMAHA (2) has taken time to hit his straps this prep but found form when beaten a lip three weeks ago at Murray Bridge. At top fitness now and rising to a favoured trip, he looks the main danger. EXOTIC DANCER (10) cops the carpark draw but may have the speed to offset it early. Nearing peak and gets in well with the claimer staying on. Right in the mix. LADY SKYLLA (13) never looked likely first-up at Clare when getting a mile back but made good late inroads. Worth following up. MISS GABBIANO (15) finished full of running last time at Gawler in a much-improved effort. Can cause a scare late if they overdo it in front.
SELECTIONS: Florey is the best of the day.
LAUNCESTON: RACE 7 @ 9:00 PM
DURAZZO (5) is the clear top pick in the Conquering Stakes. Has placed 2/3 in Stakes grade and missed a whisker the other. Has been heavily bet and sharp both starts this preparation and the mile suits. Maps to get every chance. ALVARINHO (12) won a decent race first-up and then was beaten 2L behind the above in the stronger Newmarket. She's a quinella hope with the extra fitness. BANK MAUR (1) is a Group 2 winning Queenslander in the Laming yard. Has prepared for this with a first-up hit-out in the Cranbourne Cup over a mile. Wasn't too far away in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich three back. Has an awkward gate, but Newitt's booking suggests he's pleasing. Sure to have admirers. FIRST ACCUSED (2) resumed in the Durazzo race and looked a run short. Proved second-up and the veteran is a 3x Stakes winner. In the mix.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Durazzo.
