Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for October 17.
Australian thoroughbred TAB meetings are today held at Hawkesbury, Ballarat, Northam and Mackay.
HAWKESBURY: RACE 5 @ 3:40 PM
WAGGA WAGGA (3) failed to handle the steep rise in grade when failing to get into the contest finishing tenth to Matusalem over 2400m at Rosehill in BM78 company on September 14. Kept fresh and go on earlier efforts when assessing his chances. Norton bit goes on and the 2kg claim helps. COMMUNITY (4) returned from a five-week break when disappointing with a tiring fifth over 1880m at Newcastle on October 5. Further improved and looks good each-way value. OAKFIELD HAWK (2) returned from a three-month break with an eye catching fourth over 1500m at Newcastle on October 1. Strengthened over the break and looking for this trip now. Each way. ALPINE KANDY (7) first-up after two months started a firm ($2.70) fav when a tenacious winner over 2200m at Scone in similar grade on September 27. Further improved and she has a ton of upside.
SELECTIONS: Wagga Wagga to win.
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BALLARAT: RACE 7 @ 4:30 PM
KODIAK BEAR (3) belted the 64 graders by 3L at Geelong over 2460m and then fronted there again and was nudged out. He was backed off the map in both and keeps improving. Needs a good ride but winning hoop Childs is back on and a bounce is on the cards. HOLLANDIA (6) went close over the same distance at Sandown-Hillside before delivering an easy win at Moe as expected. He draws wide as well but will feature with average luck. MYSTIC HIGH (10) was just beaten by Kodiak Bear, before tackling a 78 at Mooney Valley over 3000m not having much luck. This suits better and she should be around the mark. PACHINO (1) is back in grade and will be more competitive than the form line suggests.
SELECTIONS: Backing Kodiak Bear.
NORTHAM: RACE 2 @ 4:57 PM
ZOUCONI (10) was very impressive at the trials and jumped a 7-4 favourite on debut at Pinjarra. Looks to have come on from that effort and Pike remains in the saddle with the Tongue Tie going on today. Looks well-placed and can get the job done if she runs up to her trial effort. SURF PATROL (7) is on debut for Team Pearce and trialled behind Zouconi most recently. Parnham was aboard there and he remains in the irons today. Should be close to the speed from a favourable alley and will put up a good fight. MAKWELL SMART (6) has shown good ability at the trials coming into this and looks to have plenty of upside. He's closely related to a smart horse in Valency and he can fire a shot on debut. FIRE THE GUARD (2) has been close his past couple and has claims despite the wide alley. SUPER SNIPPY (1) has had plenty of goes now but is knocking on the door.
SELECTIONS: Zouconi can win on resumption.
MACKAY: RACE 6 @ 5:10 PM
DEVIL DEVIL (4) is another strong winning chance for the potent Stanley-Taylor linkage. He came off a 339-day break winning a Maiden at Emerald heavily bet. Jumped from a wide gate but draws inside today. He will have taken fitness and learning and can go on with the job. GREYLIST (9) won a Maiden here on debut and then raced in an Open 3 at Rockhampton and led them up before being overrun late. Fitter again and won't have to improve much to feature. ANDIRON (11) won a Maiden here first-up and is much improved. She races forward and fitter will get every chance to repeat the dose. MIL CIENTO (2) lost the rider at Rockhampton last time. Has the ability but the wide barrier is a niggle.
SELECTIONS: Backing Devil Devil.
