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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for October 27.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Port Macquarie, Coonabarabran, Sale, Sunshine Coast, Port Lincoln, Northam, Alice Springs and Laverton.
PORT MACQUARIE: RACE 5 @ 4:35 PM
I AM SUGOI (3) is ready to peak after three runs back and did a good job off a wide gate when placed at Muswellbrook last time. Ideally drawn and looks hard to beat. TAKING THE MIKKI (7) has had a break since failing at Taree a month ago. Previous form was honest and while he doesn't win out of turn he's drawn to have his chance. LOUNERSE (4) hasn't raced since March and showed a heap of promise winning her first two starts. Will need some luck but must be kept safe. TELEGRAPH (5) and SCOTLAND (2) have claims.
SELECTIONS: I Am Sugoi to win.
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COONABARABRAN: RACE 7 @ 4:55 PM
DANCES WITH HOOVES (5) above average mare with her hoof on the till third up. Closed off late from well back with the 57.5kg when third over 1350m at Newcastle in Open company on October 19. On the quick back up and desperate for this trip now. The one to beat. SMOOTH ESPRIT (2) tough miler who comes out of a strong race after finishing fifth in a 1600m contest at Coonamble two weeks ago. Anywhere near his best figures will see him figure prominently. MACLEAY (3) down sharply in weight with the claim after plodding late when eighth over 1400m at Dubbo on October 4. Trip suits and go on his win three back when assessing his prospects. SATAY CHICKEN (8) won well two back, before being snagged back from the wide gate when a poor tenth over 1615m at Doomben on October 5. Well in with the claim and the tongue tie goes on. Solid contender.
SELECTIONS: Dances With Hooves to win.
SALE: RACE 4 @ 2:50 PM
HARPALEE (6) resumed with a good effort in Stakes grade and was within range again following in a strong handicap at Sandown-Hillside. That's good form and she will be fitter again. Maps well and has been kept on the fresh side. SUBSIX (2) went well winning this grade from back in the field and then had no luck off a wide gate at Bendigo following. Draws low today and should settle on the speed. Peaks and rates to go close. COVER STAR (3) won this grade at Ballarat and then came back and just missed. Mott should be able to manage a soft run from the rail and a bounce isn't out of the question. SON OF ZORRO (5) is knocking on the door and deserves safe keeping.
SELECTIONS: Backing Harpalee.
SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 3 @ 3:30 PM
HELLUVA BARTY (1) brings strong metropolitan efforts in stronger. Has the first-time blinkers applied and should enjoy a soft run. The 2kg claim brings him right into it. LOST HIS BEANS (5) keeps winning easily. No knock and coming back to a shorter sprint shouldn't be an issue off a brief freshening. HEARTONI (4) was quickly back on track winning a CL5 here by a nose. He has more to give and the 3kg claim remains handy. In the mix. GODFATHER (3) peaks and is going well enough to consider.
SELECTIONS: Backing Helluva Barty.
PORT LINCOLN: RACE 5 @ 4:10 PM
CHEF DE MISSION (7) has returned in terrific form this campaign as he shoots for the hat-trick. Not tougher this time in a very similar set-up. No reason he can't get the job done again. TOORAK BLAZE (1) got off the mark in nice style before heading for a spell back in April. Looks to have come back in good order on the back of a sharp trial here in readiness. Bold showing anticipated. CHILKO LAKE (6) improved sharply last start when scoring over the track and trip. Has been kept fresh for this with a month between runs. Drawn sticky but is among the main hopes. Makes plenty of appeal. SPIRITUAL GAL (12) will look to cross early from the wide alley. Struggled last start but is better than that run suggests. Expect her to be in this for a long way.
SELECTIONS: Chef De Mission to win again.
NORTHAM: RACE 6 @ 6:55 PM
TON OF GRUNT (1) has made an impression early in his career and stormed home to just miss fresh at Bunbury. The horse who beat him was only just beaten in Saturday grade last Saturday. He was a second-up winner here last campaign and if he can improve in similar fashion, he'll be going one better today. FIVE DOWN (2) was too good in a CL3 at Bunbury most recently, sitting close to the speed and getting the job done by 1.2L. Drawn out a little today, but he can improve again third-up and be right in the finish. KELORA (5) just missed over this course and distance last start and this looks to set up similarly. Drops in weight today and can put his best foot forward. IDYLLIC RULER (3) will want further, but finds a nice race to be in the finish on resumption.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Ton Of Grunt.
ALICE SPRINGS: RACE 6 @ 6:17 PM
ZASCEED (1) is an ex-Victorian gelding who has improved in each of his local starts, finishing runner-up here just over 2 weeks ago by a short-head. He slides down in grade third up and is poised to go one better this time. THE GIRL'S BOY (2) was less than 2 lengths from the winner here last time out in a stronger grade and has been holding his form all season, including a couple of wins. He is well-placed at this level and should be right in the finish again. GINGER CREEK (5) has been running on over 1200m in both of his starts back from a spell on this track. The extra furlong is ideal third up and from the pole position, he should go very close to taking this out. CHELSEA CUBE (3) is a former South Australian gelding who was fifth in his first local start here 3 weeks ago. He will strip fitter and his only career win came over this journey. He is expected to improve quickly and has solid top 3 claims in this.
SELECTIONS: Zasceed to win.
LAVERTON: RACE 4 @ 3:37 PM
EBONY'S ACE (3) capped off some strong form when scoring very easily at Leinster 8 days ago. The drop back to 1200m won't be a problem and with a kilo less to carry this time, she is the one to beat again. TALKING HEADS (1) did not handle the step up to 1400m last time out and faded after racing too keenly in the middle stages. He will also be improved by the run and has been a winner third up in the past. He is down in class and should be right in the finish this time over 1200m. ROMERO (2) broke through for an overdue win at Leinster last start and having the blinkers back on could have worked the trick. He stays in the same grade and if he copes with the 3.5kg weight rise, he can double the dose. FRIAR'S GIFT (4) is a durable 12-year-old gelding who still has a zest for racing. He is better off over 1200m and from a good draw, he can bounce back into the money.
SELECTIONS: Ebony's Ace to win.