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Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for December 26.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Randwick, Caulfield Heath, Morphettville, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Warwick, Pinjarra and Esperance.
RANDWICK: RACE 8 @ 6:00 PM
WINSTON HILLS (5) exciting gelding who created a big impression at first run back when a fast finishing 2.25 len winner over 1250m at Canterbury on December 13. Returned good figures first-up and can progress through his grades this time in. The one to beat. THE REPLICANT (7) tough gelding who's come back in good order. Rocketed late over the unsuitable 1250m first-up when a narrow third at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Extra trip suits from the low gate. HEADLEY GRANGE (3) Exosphere gelding with a handy win record resuming. Undefeated first-up and given the two trials in readiness for this. Reunited with regular rider and look for him late. ZOUPRINCE (8) has a fitness edge over most of these and returned to form with a smart on-pace win over 1200m at Newcastle on December 14. Up in class and stays in the mix.
SELECTIONS: Winston Hills to win.
As a FREE Racing and Sports offer, below is the Randwick Computer Card.
CAULFIELD HEATH: RACE 8 @ 3:00 PM
No surprise to see a stack of early support for MRS CHRISSIE (9) who was dominant fresh on Ballarat Cup day, winning a BM100 by 2.5 lengths. She had the right scenario there with 53kg but put up a good figure and hits this in career best form which can't be said for a few older sprinters. IT'SOURTIME (1) is one of those, having not won in a while. That said, his last start here in the Doveton Stakes when beaten half a length by Garza Blanca was good, and he's got form around the right horses for this. TAUNTING (3) resumes. He's only had one run in his past two campaigns which is interesting. Like him at 1100m where he's won 4/8. ROMANTIC CHOICE (12) similarly is in flying form and could measure up. SELECTIONS: Keen on Mrs Chrissie.
MORPHETTVILLE PARKS: RACE 5 @ 3:42 PM
PELEVECCHIO (12) did her best work late and finished third last time at Balaklava when resuming. Improvement to come second-up and she should appreciate the added trip. Can measure right up. PETROL HEAD (4) failed to live up to market expectation on debut last month. Has been freshened and has Nunes sticking. Sharp improvement anticipated. SEA ROADS (5) has only been seen once to this point but has been well supported in early markets and is worth another look. ROB THE BANK (2) was solid enough in his return and can get into the finish.
SELECTIONS: Pelevecchio to win.
BEAUMONT (NEWCASTLE): RACE 2 @ 2:30 PM
RAMBLING (10) is a Price/Kent trained filly on her way to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions. Debuted over 1000m at Mornington on 6 December where she powered home but missed out narrowly in a very busy finish. The stable clearly has an opinion of her so she should test this field. PRINCE HARRISON (1) was unwanted in betting on debut last start over 1100m at Hawkesbury but found the line with purpose to grab a minor prize. Nicely in with the claim and should enjoy the extra 100m. GRAECI (5) chimed in late and was only beaten 1.2 lengths at 100-1 on debut over 1000m at Hawkesbury recently. Sure to prove tough to hold out over this longer journey. Godolphin's LUMINOL (8) debuts on the back of some moderate trial form. From the grand filly Forensics who hasn't set the world on fire as a broodmare. Watch the betting. Stablemate MAGENTA (9) was strong late on debut over a shorter trip and can improve.
SELECTIONS: Keen to be with Rambling.
SUNSHINE COAST: RACE 1 @ 2:18 PM
DIVAKARA (1) has been knocking on the door of another victory with consecutive runner-up finishes this campaign and strikes a winnable contest here. Has placed two from two around this circuit and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Rates the testing material. KOVANOS (3) shed the maiden tag over this track and trip at the latest effort and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. Looms as the main danger. RUMBLING AWAY (2) was a touch disappointing last time out but go on the solid Poly win here two back. Worth another chance. BOLD TYRANT (5) has been just behind the placegetters in all three runs this preparation and may earn some minor money. The well-related HEREDITARY (4) (full to G1 winner Ugo Foscolo) best of the rest.
SELECTIONS: Divakara to go one better.
WARWICK: RACE 7 @ 5:49 PM
HEYOKA (14) showed a stack of ability early in her career and did not quite race up to expectations earlier in the year on some soft tracks. She had a quiet time at a recent trial and has the tongue tie fitted for the first time. As long as the track is not too wet, she will be hard to hold out. PIA MIA (10) ran out of puff at Toowoomba last time out over 1200m after leading all the way to win there before that. She has a better draw this time and will take some pegging back with 100m less to travel. ADALIE (1) changed stables and dropped down in grade to score a comfortable victory at Dalby just over 3 weeks ago. She is meeting a similar field and can double the dose, despite the wide draw. INLANDA (16) a big watch in his return.
SELECTIONS: Heyoka to win.
PINJARRA SCARPSIDE: RACE 7 @ 8:30 PM
LONG GENES (3) is better than he showed last start when sitting midfield and not getting into the race at Ascot over 1800m. Back to the mile looks a big tick though and he was favourite in a similar race two back. Looks to have found his race. TON OF GRUNT (4) steps out to the mile now and he is a winner over this trip previously. He kept on well despite finishing a long way off at Ascot last time out and he can settle much closer this time from an inside barrier. Racing well and should go close to winning. STRIKING FELLA (5) comes into this third-up on the back of a strong effort at Geraldton last time out. Parnham rides now and the wide draw is no issue as he does possess some versatility. Won't be far away if he's at his best. STATE OF FURY (12) draws well and is much better than she showed last time out. Can bounce back. DEEP SPEED (2) steps out to this trip for the first time and has claims.
SELECTIONS: Keen on Long Genes.
ESPERANCE: RACE 6 @ 7:45 PM
SAFE RAPPA (4) hit the front in the home straight here nearly 3 weeks ago and looked all over the winner before being stung on the line and finishing second by a short-head. He will be spot-on for this assignment and will go close again. On top. WEST COAST WARRIOR (1) changed stables before the start of the season and made an immediate impact for his new trainer when winning fresh up here at the start of the month, his first success in over 20 starts. He then followed that up with a second-place finish on the track 12 days ago. He is back to 1400m from the mile and can give this a shake. PURE QUALITY (5) has hit the line strongly in her last couple of starts on this track, finishing runner-up 12 days ago, and finally nails a decent draw. She can settle closer this time and can go one better. SMALL TOWN RUBY (8) should have no fitness excuses after having 3 runs back from a spell and it is worth noting that the concussion plates have been removed. She is worth one more chance.
SELECTIONS: Safe Rappa to win.
