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Today’s Horse Racing Tips - 23rd January 2026
Racing and Sports highlight our standout plays at Australian TAB meetings for January 23.
Australian thoroughbred meeting are today held at Canterbury, Emerald, Port Lincoln,
Port Macquarie , Moruya, Launceston, Geraldton and Pakenham and Gold Coast.
CANTERBURY: RACE 1 @ 6:00 PM
LADY OLENNA (7) has contested four Highways from as many appearances this prep and has been competitive in all of them without winning. The pick of the runs was last start when she chimed in late but just missed in a busy finish over 1100m at Wyong. Handles soft ground and an extra 100m is ideal. BARELLO (5) last appeared six weeks ago when he had to dig deep to just prevail in a BM58 over this distance at Murwillumbah. Has progressed nicely since joining the Jordan Lee yard and although this is his biggest test he looks up to the task. ONYSPEED (12) has been so-so in two runs this prep but can improve with this step up in distance. Maps nicely from the good gate behind a hot tempo so this sets up well. STAR PREDICTION (4) won following an eight-week let-up at Taree last time out. Strips fitter and can handle this transition to better company. MOVE SHE CAN (9) wasn't far away in a Wyong Highway last start and the extra 100m this evening is a positive.
SELECTIONS: Backing Lady Olenna.
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EMERALD: RACE 4 @ 2:42 PM
ZIPITALIST (3) returned from a spell last start with a strong win by 1.3 lengths over 1200m at Mackay. That was his first run for the new yard when storming home to score. Fitter and looks tough to stop again. PEAKING TOM (9) ran below expectations last time at Rockhampton, finishing eighth and beaten 6 lengths. Will find this easier and comes back in journey. Will be beaten for speed this trip but winding up strongly. BOOM BOOM RAY (6) wasn't far away in his two starts prior to a sub-par fifth last time out over 1400m at Rockhampton. Was slowly away last time and drew off the track. Has the inside this time and will find this easier. Expected to bounce back. START STRUTTING (2) has switched yards since finishing eighth seven weeks ago over 1890m at Toowoomba. Rates highly this easier line-up. NEW LEVEL (7) hasn't been far away lately and ran well only try here. Will give a sight.
SELECTIONS: Stick win Zipitalist.
PORT LINCOLN: RACE 6 @ 3:50 PM
OVERSTRIKE (2) was outstanding fresh when putting a space on them at Gawler in October. Hasn't fired against stronger company since, but this drop in grade is exactly what he's been looking for and he draws to advantage. A bold showing is firmly on the cards. WARM BREEZE (7) resumes and was a dominant winner over this trip when kicking off last campaign at Murray Bridge. Still lightly raced and has been tuned with a solid trial. Should make a bright return. THE PLASTICS (10) looked sharp at the trials before her first-up run but hasn't produced in two outings. She gets in light with the claim and is capable of a sharp turnaround. Don't dismiss. MCKEEVER (1) returned to winning form third-up with a barnstorming victory over this track and trip. He rises slightly in weight but only needs to hold that level to go very close again. MESSERSCHMITT (6) couldn't match McKeever late last time but meets him better at the weights and doesn't need to find much to turn the tables.
SELECTIONS: Overstrike gets the nod.
PORT MACQUARIE: RACE 7 @ 4:50 PM
MOSCOW CIRCUS (6) raced keenly on resumption from the sticky draw before fading in the straight with a disappointing eleventh over 1200m at Eagle Farm. Proven second-up and can turn her form around in this easier race. Anywhere near her best should win this. TICKLE ME PINK (12) promising mare with the upside to go on with it this prep. Created a big impression last time in and the two trials suggest she has come back even stronger. Will prove hard to get past. MISS REBEL (5) win record hardly excites and deserves another chance up to the 1200m. Far from disgraced when seventh over 1100m at Wyong in Highway class. Can sneak into the minor money. GRASSBURN (11) jumped in grade and failed to get a clear crack at them in the straight when eleventh over 1100m at Wyong in Highway class. Gets map favours and must be respected.
SELECTIONS: Moscow Circus finds her race.
MORUYA: RACE 8 @ 5:45 PM
FACEOFF (5) disappointed first-up at Kembla Grange but rates highly off his form last campaign. His trials coming in had been solid and he'll be better suited coming back to Country level. Bouldvillain sticks with the gelding, and if he can sit closer today he'll be very hard to beat. LONDON STAR (7) has trialled well in readiness for her this. She won her maiden impressively two back before tackling Provincial company before the break. The sting out of the ground is a big tick for her and she'll be flying late in the race. BOOM IN THE DARK (6) got the job done here in deteriorating conditions, sitting back and launching late to score over 1010m. Out in trip should suit him better and Heywood sticking is a positive sign. Can repeat the dose. MERCHANT REIGN (8) will find this a bit easier today third-up and can be in the finish. LIGHTLY SPARKLED (11) needs some luck from the draw but looks poised to strike third-up and with the blinkers on first time.
SELECTIONS: Keen to back Faceoff in the last.
LAUNCESTON: RACE 5 @ 7:23 PM
SILVER DAGGER (2) resumed in the Listed Newmarket and came from back in the field beaten 2L. Followed that with a narrow defeat this track/trip in a CL6 heavily backed. Proven third up and she should have them covered. GO JEANIE (3) resumes and has trialled well. She missed a short half head here over 1400m in a CL6 when last seen and her fresh form is good. She can use the inside barrier to her advantage. PERSPIRATION (1) switched from the premier barn in Victoria and went well enough first-up off a longish break at Quality level. He's likely had issues, but three back won the Heritage Stakes at Rosehill and that form would make a mess of these. He's trialled since last seen and gets in well with the 3kg claim. The betting will be key. VIXEN'S MOON (6) finished third over 1200m at this track at her latest appearance on November 12. In the placings in a recent Longford trial and worth consideration.
SELECTIONS: Backing Silver Dagger.
GERALDTON: RACE 6 @ 8:04 PM
MUST BE NICE (1) looks an exciting type on resumption. He was a big winner here two starts back before finishing just 0.5L away at Ascot last time out. That was 100 days ago now, but he's back to country level today and he'll be better for the debut campaign. Can go to another level now. VERSAILLE (7) resumes today for the Cowl stable after making the move from Victoria. Her latest trial here was very good and See sticks from that outing. She's a fresh winner in the past and a forward showing is anticipated. KARRI ON (12) missed narrowly two back before stepping up in trip last start where she was just fair. Back in trip slightly today looks a good move and if she gets some luck from the draw, she'll be right in the finish. LIVE LUCKY (6) gets the blinkers on first time today after missing by 3L here last time out. Expecting an improved run now. COZZIES CHOICE (10) is better than we saw last start and can bounce back.
SELECTIONS: Must Be Nice is the one to beat.
PAKENHAM: RACE 6 @ 8:45 PM
ALIANO (1) clearly on top. He was a dominant maiden winner two back at $1.45 and went right on with it last time, powering away from the progressive Tower Bridge to post another big margin victory. He'll have no issue rising to 1400m and draws for every chance. TSARINE (10) is knocking on the door, good in a strongly run race over this trip two back, okay when beaten as favourite out to a mile last time. Back in trip here with blinkers on looks to suit. JEWEL BAY (7) was much better second up here in this grade when getting home strongly into second. He should be at peak fitness now and prove hard to hold out late. BONS TO RICHES (2) has won 2/3 this time in, winning well at Cranbourne last time. He can go on with it.
SELECTIONS: Aliano to win.
GOLD COAST: RACE 8 @ 10:08 PM
DARK ARTS (3) peaks for the Gollan yard and he was tracking well before leading and folding up at Eagle Farm over a mile. Back to 1400m suits better and Maloney is reunited. The well-bred gelding rates the one to beat given average luck in running. FIREFORCE (4) resumed over 1200m at Eagle Farm and went close. He was expected to need it and is proven second-up. Suited over the longer sprint and he's advantaged by the inside draw. VORKUTA (7) brings good country form and is heading in the right direction. He's likely to run along and give a sight. BACKSTAGE (1) has been narrowly beaten as favourite both starts this preparation and it was a tough effort at Ipswich last time over this trip. Draws low and he also deserves consideration.
SELECTIONS: Dark Arts.gets his chance.
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