After the Mornington Cup Day action in Victoria yesterday, today there are five quality TAB race meetings set to take place around the country for Thursday punters to enjoy.

Racing today, February 17, will run at country and city tracks in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia so wherever you are and whatever racing scene you follow there is something on the Thursday race card for you.

The headline event today will run in Launceston with the latest black-type feature of the 2011 Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival set to run.

Race 8 at Launceston is the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) and a stellar field of three-year-old fillies are engaged for the showdown including last start winner of the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) Tough Chik.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au for our comprehensive 2011 Tasmanian Oaks preview up shortly.

When you’re ready to get in on the weekly Australian race action or to jump on the generous early odds available on the Group showdowns this weekend including the 2011 Lightning Stakes at Flemington, we highly recommend you visit Luxbet.

Luxbet is Australia’s leading online bookmaker offering the best horse racing odds and betting markets in the country so sign up with Luxbet today!

Today’s Horse Racing

• Ballarat (VIC) – Race 1 jumps at 1:00pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

The Victorian racing action at Ballarat kicks off at 1:00pm (AEDST) this afternoon with the first of eight races, the $15,000 Uni of Ballarat Equine Centre Maiden Plate (1500m).

After the maiden events there are some great handicap races on the Ballarat card for punters including Race 5 – the $22,500 Schweppes Country Showcase Fillies & Mares 0 – 72 Handicap (1000m) at 3:20pm where #7 Rewa’s Spirit is our pick of the field.

• Hawkesbury (NSW) – Race 1 jumps at 1:15pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

New South Wale’s sole TAB meet this Thursday will take place at Hawkesbury where an eight-race programme gets underway at 1:15pm (AEDST) with the $16,000 Kids West 2YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).

The final event on the programme looks the highlight at Hawkesbury today when Race 8 – the $16,000 Suncorp Bank Benchmark 65 Handicap (1300m) jumps at 5:34pm (AEDST) and we are tipping #5 Scent Of Joy to win for trainer Kevin Moses.

• Gold Coast (QLD) – Race 1 jumps at 2:00pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

In Queensland the Gold Coast Racecourse will be host to a top seven-race schedule today starting with the $10,000 Bovis Lend Lease Maiden Plate (2200m) at 2:00pm (AEDST).

Race 6 – the $12,000 Carlton Mid Class 2 Handicap (1400m) at 5:05pm (AEDST) – is shaping up as a beauty and #9 Pasugo is hard to go past.

• Mt Barker (WA) – Race 1 jumps at 4:07pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Later this afternoon a cracker eight-race card at WA’s Mt Barker track is set to run, things getting underway at 4:07pm (AEDST) with the $9,000 Western Mineral Fertilisers Maiden (1100m).

Best race in WA today will be Race 7 – the $10,000 Healthway Class 1 Handicap (1200m) at 7:57pm (AEDST) where the lightly-raced #4 Dolen Star has the ability to cause an upset at nice odds.

• Launceston (TAS) – Race 1 jumps at 5:54pm (AEDST) – Bet now at Luxbet

Tonight Tassie racing fans have a bumper 10-race programme to look forward to at Launceston, the action kicking off at 5:54pm (AEDST) with the $15,500 Fashions for Fillies Maiden / Class 1 Plate (1600m) where we are tipping the consistent #4 Speedo Zap to overcome their wide barrier and win.

Race 8 – the $150,000 Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) at 9:46pm (AEDST) is the feature race at Launceston today and Races.com.au will publish the winning Tasmanian Oaks betting tips shortly.