Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for May 25.
Australian thoroughbred Tab meetings are today held at Gosford, Bathurst, Pakenham, Gatton and Northam.
GOSFORD: RACE 5 @ 2:25 PM
EPICUS (4) disappointed as favourite at Wyong but the narrow defeat at Newcastle prior reads well for this. He will run along from an inside gate and is a live chance. HARRY TUDOR (3) has switched barns and has been gelded. The recent trials suggest he's going to come back much improved and the late betting will tell plenty. SIDENAY (7) resumed with an improved effort at Wyong. Has an awkward barrier but fitter he's a chance and note the better-fancied stablemate has been scratched. Harder sorting the rest. EXTREME MERGER (1) debuts and has had a string of spaced trials. He may be next best.
SELECTIONS: Backing Epicus
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BATHURST: RACE 7 @ 4:40 PM
OPITO BALLERINA (1) has resumed in solid order this prep, scoring fresh and following it up with a minor finish at Kembla Grange last start. Those performances have come in stronger grades so she looks well placed to produce another bold showing. Lugs the top weight but is aided with the 4kg claimer engaged. The one to beat. EAST HARLEM (7) knuckled down nicely late to make finishing in the placings when resuming last start. His only win came at this track when resuming last campaign. Can threaten. JOHNNY DASH (3) has struggled to threaten in his three runs back, despite placing last time. Is 1/1 at this venue and should be nearing a peak. In the mix. BLACK ALEXANDRA (4) next.
SELECTIONS: Backing Opito Ballerina to win.
PAKENHAM: RACE 6 @ 7:45 PM
HOTZEL (4) came in for good support on debut and won with authority. Returns here after a short break but looks up to the task. Won't be far away. BEOUR BAY (7) went around at a very short quote and strolled in first-up at Wodonga. Rises in grade this time but is expected to give a bold sight. TORONADO ROUGE (9) broke maiden status when resuming at Seymour before a moderate effort in town last time. Drops in grade here and can bounce back. BRILLIANT SAPPHIRE (1) is rarely too far from the mark in races of this nature and should be included in any multiples.
SELECTIONS: Back Hotzel to win.
GATTON: RACE 8 @ 4:27 PM
BURY ROAD (2) has been slowly improving for new trainer Gregory Cornish and may have just found the 2400 metres a touch too far at this stage of his prep. He will be peaking after four runs back from a spell and has won twice over this distance. The blinkers go back on and he is poised to put his hoof on the till. Stick with him. MY WHISTLEBLOWER (7) won his maiden by a nose at Toowoomba two starts back and then backed that effort up with another game second placing there last time out. He will appreciate the step up in journey today and should be right in the finish again. RALLY (5) cleared his maiden status on this track last start when racing out of his class. He has always shown promise with some handy efforts in the City and now that the penny has dropped he should go on with it. MANTINELLO (4) ended a long run of outs with an easy win at Toowoomba last start by over two lengths. The manner in which he hit the line that day was encouraging and he should go close to doubling up.
SELECTIONS: Bury Road to win.
NORTHAM: RACE 5 @ 2:47 PM
OLY'S CHOICE (1) is a quality performer that is unbeaten fresh up and is also unbeaten in two starts on this track. He is resuming today at an easier level and with William Pike in the irons he is the one to beat. TREVERN (3) was run down after leading up in a handy field at Ascot last time out. He is back on his favourite track today and has won all three starts over this distance. The three-kilo claim is a bonus and he will definitely take some pegging back again. MEGA REWARD (6) has been a touch unlucky most recently and after getting clear late last time out at Belmont he hit the line with purpose. He has two wins over this shorter trip and also has not missed a cheque in two starts on this course, including a win. He is set to put his hoof on the till today. GALAXY AFFAIR (2) went for a spell after a poor effort at his last run in late December. He has had two trials this month to bring him along and he should be hitting the line hard. Watch for him late.
SELECTIONS: Oly's Choice to win.
