Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for March 9.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Sandown Hillside, Ascot, Ipswich and Strathalbyn.
SANDOWN-HILLSIDE: RACE 3 @ 3:40 PM
CONVICT SAM (2) has his first try over the longer trip but looks as though he will stay okay and a potentially tactical affair can play to his strengths. That strength is the speed to be competitive here around a mile where his best form makes for good reading up against these slower types and he did enough last time off a 39-day layoff. Bred to stay and with the right yard. WELLSFORD (3) keeps fronting up and racing well and shapes as the biggest danger in the path of Convict Sam. MR BLACKWOOD (7) is lightly tried and clearly this is his trip. It's the right trip for the stout stayer BUDD FOX (1) who should be in the mix having blown the cobwebs off last time out.
SELECTIONS: Convict Sam can be too smart for these.
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ASCOT: RACE 7 @ 5:20 PM
BLACK FANTASY (1) has placed both runs back and the longer trip should be ideal. Draws to advantage and the premier hoop rides first time. The one to beat. FEAR THE WIND (4) improved again winning the Maiden by a space. He has more up the sleeve and is a live chance if getting strung up from the rail is avoided. CELEVACCI (2) is an improver in a leading barn lifting from a sprint. His figures this trip are strong and he's a chance. PICCOLA SIGNORA (7) was beaten 1L here this distance surprising the market. Carries more weight and that may prove an issue.
SELECTIONS: Backing Black Fantasy.
CANTERBURY: RACE 2 @ 2:20 PM
RENOSU (1) has been holding his own in Group and Listed company and will find this a lot easier. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and gets the services of McDonald in the irons. Rates the testing material. Stablemate SPACEWALK (2) is another who has been competing exclusively in black type races and hasn't been too far away. Looks the main danger. ALPHA ONE (10) wasn't disgraced on debut and will have taken benefit from that day at the races. In the mix. SURF ON TURF (8) looked good winning a recent Rosehill trial and hails from a good barn for juveniles. Respect. The well-related and well-bred REGGIE'S FOLLY (7) is another facing the starter for the first time and any moves in betting must be noted.
SELECTIONS: Renosu to win.
IPSWICH: RACE 5 @ 3:58 PM
WRITTLE (2) runs along and was a comfortable first-up winner better again. He won't have to improve much to make the double. ROSE OF SEBRING (7) settled back on resumption and delivered a solid level at 65 level. Goes second-up and the leading hoop goes on and can sit him handier from a low gate. In the premier barn and the longer sprint advantages. STAR GAMBLE (8) is speed-bred and was a big Maiden winner here first-up. Was just okay after at Doomben in tougher grade and fitter can bounce with Orman going on. BAKUHATSU (3) is quick and was good winning the Maiden at Doomben. Uses the rail and fitter can't be ruled out.
SELECTIONS: Writtle appeals most.
STRATHALBYN: RACE 4 @ 2:50 PM
GOSDEN (8) is up from a sprint and has trialled twice since finding Last Girl Love much too good at Balaklava 24 days ago. Raced an equal favourite and covered the others. Draws for a soft run and a promising 3kg apprentice sticks from the latest trial. Expect him to see it right out. WEST CLIFF (2) won the Maiden at Warrnambool three back and has improved placing the two since with the latest at Terang. Will position forward and should go close. ROBE RAIDER (11) is still a Maiden but rates well and forget the latest back to the mile. Can feature in the finish without surprising. CASSOWARY (7) will be fitter and rises in trip on a 7-day return. Has strong figures this distance range and has to be kept onside.
SELECTIONS: Going with Gosden.
