TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Doomben

Tambo’s Mate loves the wet and his superior fitness could give him the edge in an open Keith Noud, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby.

Sky Racing and Brisbane Racing Club’s turf expert Nathan Exelby runs his eye over Saturday’s meeting at Doomben.

Track: Heavy 9. Rail: True.

BEST BETS

So Taken, R3 No.6 – $3.30

Kubrick put it all together and proved too sharp for her last time. Weighted to turn the tables and drawn to be closer. Wet track adds the icing on the cake.

Tambo’s Mate, R8 No.4 – $5

This is a tough race, but in the testing conditions, hoping his residual fitness can help. He’s a gun wet tracker and comes off a very good last start win.

Morethannumberone, R9 No.12 – $2.20

Has sat back off moderate speeds and reeled off blinding sections his past two. Given a soft trial since latest and should be too good for these on his way to better races.

So Taken can turn the tables on Kubrick. Picture: AAP

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Floral Oasis $5-$3.80

Race 3: So Taken $4.60-$3.30

Race 5: Manhood $11-$4

Race 6: One Stryke $61-$26, Lyrical Girl $3.10-$2.50, She Can Sing $5.50-$3.30

Race 7: The Big Goodbye $5.50-$4.60, Nicci Trix $8-$6

Race 8: The Harrovian $6-$4.60, Intrepidacious $14-$10

Race 9: Morethannumberone $3.80-$2.20

THE QUADDIE

R6: BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP (1050m)

Palaisipan ($4.40) is probably the best horse going forward here after a terrific debut campaign, including a tough win at Ipswich against a strong field. Only blemish was stepping up to 1600m right at the end of that prep. Recent trial in a hot heat (won by Shooting For Gold) was excellent. The query is that was on a soft track, which leaves a query on her on heavy ground. Lyrical Girl ($2.50) had been below her best, but bounced back on the quick back-up here last start, posting fast time. She Can Sing ($3.70) has trialled well and seems likely to handle the going. Gets a sweet run off the draw. Black Magnum ($9.50) had trialled well before failing at Eagle Farm and can improve.

Selections: 6 Lyrical Girl, 8 Palaisipan, 9 She Can Sing, 3 Black Magnum

R7: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200m)

Think Kingscote ($11) can give a big sight here. He kicked strongly at Eagle Farm, but was just found out the last 100m. Back to Doomben and striking a wet track, he’s well suited here. Just continues to put in every run at the moment. Gave Us All ($9.50) is unproven on heavy ground and was safely held first up at the Coast in it, but that was only 1100m, so not being too harsh on him. Think he’s improved since then and going off the lovely effort at Eagle Farm, he’s well placed off the good draw. The Big Goodbye ($4.60) is yet to run a bad race in Queensland and will have no issues with the wet ground.

Selections: 4 Kingscote, 13 Gave Us Up, 2 The Big Goodbye

Tambo’s Mate is unbeaten on soft and heavy going.

R8: KEITH NOUD (1200m)

Deep race. The Harrovian ($3.90) is the benchmark, having been close up in the Doomben 10,000 behind Eduardo over this course and he did win easily the last time he struck a heavy track. He can win without surprising, but have just leant to Tambo’s Mate ($5) with the residual fitness. Big win here over 1050m last time and drawn to get a gun run in his preferred conditions. Simply Fly ($5) has been solid in two runs back. Now takes on (much) better opposition, but the fitness edge, combined with his wet track credentials, brings him in with a good hope. Niccanova ($10) is the knockout, as he was first up last prep in the Victory. No worries wet and flies fresh.

Selections: 4 Tambo’s Mate, 2 The Harrovian, 12 Simply Fly, 1 Niccanova

R9: BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1350m)

Morethannumberone ($2.20) has had two goes on heavy tracks for two minor placings. There is little doubt he’s a far superior horse now, so the going shouldn’t be an issue. What it does do is negate his brilliant turn of foot, which none of the others here can match. So if it becomes more of a slog, that gives others a hope, but given he handles the ground and that he looks better than them, very happy being in his corner. Thought Academy ($8) is second pick. Has raced very consistently in the support races through the Sydney spring and the run behind Quantico reads very well now given that horse’s win in Cup Week. The Jack Duncan pair of Dzsenifer ($5) and Indispensable ($7) next best.

Selections: 12 Morethannumberone, 5 Academy

AWAY FROM HOME

Our Playboy (Cranbourne, Race 7, $4) got his act together last week when only second-up and can be further improved again. Two from two at the mile now and strikes his preferred wet conditions in this race. At Newcastle, Katalin (Race 10, $3.80) is capable of stretching the stablemate Gravina after a very good first up win.