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

Despite a big weight, Wapiti will be tough to beat on a wet track at Doomben, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby.

Wapiti is going for back-to-back wins stepping up to 2000m. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

Track: Heavy 9. Rail: +2m.

BEST BETS

Ashgrove, R3 No.3 – $2.60

Relished the step to the mile last time and put his rivals to the sword with a big final 600m sectional. Better opposition this time, but he looks above average.

Wapiti, R6 No.3 – $3.20

Did a good job coming back to 1600m to win last time and now reverts to 2000m, where he was so effective at Toowoomba. He’s a very good wet tracker and a proven weight carrier. Tough to get past.

Zoustyle, R9 No.5 – $2.40

Drying track suits and he looks like controlling this from the get-go. No worries going to 1200m and his high cruising speed will have most of these chasing a long way out.

MONEY TALKS

Race 3: Ashgrove $3-$2.60

Race 5: Far Too Easy $5-$3.70, Jackson On Time $17-$10

Race 6: So You Win $5.50-$4.40, Wapiti $3.50-$3.20

Race 7: The Harrovian, Race 7, $4.80-$4.40

Race 8: Wandabaa $4.20-$3.60, Juan Diva $11-$8.50

Race 9: Zoustyle $2.50-$2.40, Shooting For Gold $9-$5.50

Race 10: Stellar Magic $8.50-$7, Najmaty $16-$12

THE QUADDIE

R7: RECOGNITION STAKES (1350m)

The Harrovian’s ($4.40) win over this course last year was close to a career best and we know he’s very good fresh, plus handles wet ground, so he has everything going for him here. The one minus is the gate, but he has the right jock to offset that. Ballistic Boy ($10) is the one that looks over the odds. He’s unknown on genuine wet, so the improving track is a plus and he trialled well beating The Harrovian home recently. Morethannumberone ($5) is the wildcard. He ran stakes class sectionals in two wins at the Gold Coast, then may have needed the run last time. I suspect he measures up. Tambo’s Mate and Niccanova are hopes but leading to the others.

Selections: 3 The Harrovian, 4 Ballistic Boy, 12 Morethannumberone

R8: EUREKA STUD CLASSIC (1200m)

Wandabaa ($3.60) has the formlines, wet track credentials and right weight, but she’s 15 runs since a win and will be back in the ruck here, so I’m looking elsewhere. I think Miami Fleiss ($5.50) ends up the best horse in this race and just hoping the good speed in the race allows her to get in somewhere. Tycoon Evie ($14) was terrific second-up and can see her getting the right run here – if she copes with the soft ground. Juan Diva ($8.50) was a big winner in Sydney two starts back, then measured up nicely in a stakes race at Flemington. Eloquently ($8.50) boasts a win over Miami Fleiss at this track and the Poly track defeat can be forgiven.

Selections: 7 Miami Fleiss, 6 Tycoon Evie, 15 Juan Diva, 11 Eloquently

Zoustyle returned with a blistering win at Sunshine Coast. Picture: Trackside Photography

R9: GEORGE MOORE STAKES (1200m)

Zoustyle ($2.40) showed he’d lost none of his ability with the scintillating first-up win at the Sunshine Coast. I don’t have a problem with him on soft ground and if Weona Smartone comes out it means he will just control this to suit himself. Baller ($5.50) gets a gun trail and comes off a ripping good first up run when stable warned he might be a run short. Signore Fox ($15) ran well in two Group 1 races here during Stradbroke Season and can run on strongly again here. Shooting For Gold ($5.50) next best, but not sure he can give away a start and get down the classy ones in front of him. Wet track looks against Alligator Blood ($18).

Selections: 5 Zoustyle, 4 Baller, 2 Signore Fox

Race 10: MODE STAKES (1200m)

Rhapsody Rose ($3.60) rates as the winner, but she’s going to need a good ride from Ryan Maloney. They took the wide barrier out of the equation last start going handle bars down at the 1400m, but not sure she has the speed to do the same over 1200m. Maybe being out wide won’t be a disadvantage by this stage? With that in mind though, have put Me Me Lagarde ($4.80) on top. She should have beaten Rhapsody Rose in a stakes race at this course in May. She will be fitter again for the first-up win here. Najmaty ($12) has disappointed a few times but this is a drop back in class for her. Stellar Magic ($7) next best.

Selections: 6 Me Me Lagarde, 2 Rhapsody Rose, 5 Najmaty, 4 Stellar Magic

AWAY FROM HOME

WINSUM (Pakenham, Race 4, $4) has bolted in first-up at 1000m his past two preps and finds a suitable race to make it three consecutive fresh wins here. Good speed up front and he can hit the line strongly. At Rosehill, SHIHONKA (Race 1, $2.30) brings superior ratings to her rivals in this race and can make it three from four for the prep.