Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for March 19.
Major metropolitan meetings are today held at Rosehill, Flemington, Geelong, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Ascot and Morphettville.
ROSEHILL: RACE 5 @ 2:40 PM
It looks like champion mare VERRY ELLEEGANT (5) has scared them all off in a very disappointing field size for the $700,000 Group 1 Ranvet. She bounced back to form with a solid win in the G1 Chipping Norton last time out and thrives at this track and trip with two wins and a second from just three outings. Expecting another win here for her to take her earnings over the $15 million mark. MONTEFILIA (6) has three G1 wins to her credit and will strip fitter for that first-up effort. Looks the only danger. ANGEL OF TRUTH (1) wasn't disgraced first-up when trying to lead all the way and can improve off that run. In the mix. EMISSARY (4) brings Victorian form lines to the table and a top-three finish would not surprise. ENTENTE (2) has placed over this course and distance and can earn some minor money.
SELECTIONS: Verry Elleegant to win.
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FLEMINGTON: RACE 8 @ 5:00 PM
GRANDSLAM (6) was off a long break when returning here over 1400m. He had his fans in the betting there and his effort was okay having been ridden conservatively. Now goes to his ideal trip and he finds a race without a lot of speed. Can see him pressing forward this time and he should take plenty of pegging back. He's a good horse when he is on-song. DESERT ICON (8) made the most of a very soft lead two back. Did it well then run down by DEFIBRILLATE (1) last time in what looks a key formline for this. DARK DREAM (3) up in trip and down in weight are his key factors. Not to be discounted.
SELECTIONS: Like Grandslam here.
GEELONG: RACE 7 @ 4:36 PM
EXCELLERATION (2) is returning from a break. Has excellent credentials fresh and is well placed over this trip. Won't be too far away. JUNGLE JIM (3) has won three of last four including two of three this campaign. Is lightly-raced and looks a promising type. This is toughest test to date but looks up to the task. STORM'S COLOURS (8) is coming back off a freshen. Doesn't win too often but form was strong before a break. Looks up to a race like this. CELESTIAL SOL (6) ran an improved race in small field last time and is worth some thought here.
SELECTIONS: Back Excelleration to win.
GOLD COAST: RACE 1 @ 11:57 AM
RICH LISTER (9) won easily fresh at Doomben then chased well to be beaten 1.4m last time. Proven third up and steps up to a distance where she has a fine record, winning three and placing twice from six attempts. Looks well placed. SIENNA'S CHOICE (3) resumes off some strong form and will be ready to go off two nice trials. BRILLIANTLY (12) continues to race well and has each way claims while NICCI'S SPIRIT (5) was racing well last time in and deserves respect first up.
SELECTIONS: Rich Lister to add another win at this distance.
IPSWICH: RACE 6 @ 3:28 PM
AQUILEON (3) has joined the Queensland arm of the Kris Lees stable and was a convincing winner over ground last start at Newcastle. He seldom runs a bad race and should be easy to place in the coming months. He looks very hard to beat here. PUCKISH (2) has had two runs back and was found wanting last start when stepping up sharply in distance. He is much better than that run suggests and should be peaking at his third run back. Include in all multiples. JABBAR (4) showed a lot of courage when sustaining a long run and proving to be too strong last time out on the Sunshine Coast poly track. He is fit and while racing this well, should be respected. Watch closely. LUVYOUANYTIME (5) is usually thereabouts in this grade and put in another sound effort when making up late ground to finish fourth on the poly track last start. He probably prefers the turf surface and won't have to improve much to be right in the finish here.
SELECTIONS: Aquileon win bet.
ASCOT: RACE 4 @ 2:28 PM
RIVER RUBICON (8) is an up and coming three-year-old who is working through the grades quickly with three easy wins this time in. Down 4.5kg and should take beating again. EXPRESS TIME (1) is flying at the moment herself with four wins from her last rive. Drawn out and creeping up in the weights but definite threat. MISS FROST (4) was back to her best with a second-up win over 1000m. Similar weight here and is worth including. KIA ORA STAR (5) and STARALIGN (2) have each-way claims.
SELECTIONS: River Rubicon to win. Trifecta 8-1,2,4,5/1,2,4,5.
MORPHETTVILLE PARKS: RACE 6 @ 3:22 PM
LAKE'S FOLLY (1) was good breaking through here last time when he covered ground but still finished off too good for his rivals. He gets in OK after the claim and can win again. BLAH BLAH BLAH (5) has a good record here and defeated Frankel Star here two starts back. APACHE STAR (4) has been around the mark and must be given some thought here. CAPRICORN RIDGE (2) comes off a Bordertown win but draws a tricky barrier.
SELECTIONS: Lake's Folly to win again.
