TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Eagle Farm

Vendidit had to settle for a dead heat last start but can back-up with a win in his own right this time, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Vendidit (inside) won in a dead heat last start with Ciccina at Eagle Farm. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

Track: Good 4. Rail: +5.5m.

BEST BETS

Mishani Persuasion, R3 No.1 – $3.30

Market prefers the stablemate, who comes out of a stronger race, but just feel this guy will be strongest at 1200m. Still doesn’t know what he’s doing, but there’s some ability under the hood.

Refero, R4 No.4 – $1.90

Totally dominant first-up win at Caloundra suggests he’s a better horse now as a gelding. He looks up to stakes races based on what he did there.

Enterprise Prince, R9 No.5 – $4.40

Luckless last time and did well to finish as close as he did. Brad Stewart has a good affinity with him and can give him the gun run from handy draw this time.

MONEY TALKS

Race 4: Stellar Magic $2.50-$2.20

Race 5: Be Water My Friend $11.50 (after deductions) to $8

Race 8: Quiet Michael $21-$14

Race 9: Jack The Lad $11-$9.50

Rosehill – Golden Eagle

I’m Thunderstruck $4.50-$3.70

Apache Chase $13-$7.50

Ellsberg $13-$8.50

Flemington

Race 5: Tofane $4-$3.50

Race 6: Tutukaka $11-$8.50, Jungle Magnate $26-$16

Race 7: In The Congo $5.50-$4.20, Kallos $15-$11

THE QUADDIE

R7: BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1000m)

Black Magnum ($3.60) is the really interesting runner here. Lost his way in Sydney, but now finds himself in the Gollan camp. First trial a month ago was just fine, hitting the line behind Le Palmier. Has since jumped out and matched strides with Niedorp. He looks to be going particularly well and is drawn to get his chance. Genzai The Wolf ($3.60) loves it here and he really responds to how David Murphy spaces his runs. Hidden Hail ($3) is a real speedster who battled on strongly in a better race than this a fortnight ago. Looks short enough in current markets though. Rollinwiththeflow ($5) is unbeaten fresh, so can also sprint well here.

Selections: 4 Black Magnum, 1 Genzai The Wolf, 6 Hidden Hail, 7 Rollinwiththeflow

R8: BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP (1600m)

Vendidit ($4.80) is in a purple patch at the moment. He was outsprinted by the favourite last time, but fought strongly to dead heat on the line and was stiff not to win it in the stewards’ room. Up to 1600m suits slightly better and expect similar. Sienna’s Choice ($6.50) was there to win last time, but seemingly failed to see the 1800m out. Kelly Schweida brings her back to the mile now with 21 days between runs and based on her previous win, she is right up to this race. Happy to stick with that pair. The Dark (solid in the Vendidit race and likes Eagle Farm), Montez (disappointing last time) and Makedon (going okay this prep) next best.

Selections: 4 Vendidit, 7 Sienna’s Choice

Enterprise Prince hasn’t won for a while but is racing well. Picture: AAP

R9: CLASS 6 PLATE (1400m)

Enterprise Prince ($4.40) isn’t as attractively weighted here, but gets Brad Stewart to offset that. He’s a long time between wins, but is clearly going well at the moment. Blew the start then found traffic at the wrong time in the straight before running on when it was all over last time. Possibly tougher here but he can enjoy the right run and atone. Champagne Aunty ($7) arrives in foal (to Pierata) and 35 days between runs. Suspicion is this should be a bit sharp, but she is a trier. Bonaparte ($15) put a margin on lesser rivals at Caloundra last time in solid figures and giving him a knockout hope at odds. Ziemba ($8.50), Barney’s Law ($9) also hopes coming through the Enterprise Prince race.

Selections: 5 Enterprise Prince, 8 Bonaparte, 7 Champagne Aunty

R10: FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 3 PLATE (1200m)

The Tony Gollan trained pair Salateen ($2.80) and Pull Anchor ($4.20) are the clear benchmarks here. Salateen was restrained and pulled herself into the ground here last time. Looks more genuine speed here and that can allow her to travel more sweetly and therefore have a more formidable finishing burst. Pull Anchor was super first-up at the 1000m behind another stablemate in a race run in fast time. She’s clearly come back in very good order this time around and 1200m is a better trip for her. She will sit out the back and then let rip in the straight. Outside that pair, Vistabelle ($12), Contessa ($8.50) and Virtuous Miss ($8) look next best.

Selections: 6 Salateen, 5 Pull Anchor

AWAY FROM HOME

The Epsom has been the right guide for the Golden Eagle in its first two runnings, so going to stick with Private Eye ($6.50), who has trialled very well since winning that Group 1. Can also have something on Apache Chase ($7.50) to run a race. At Flemington, Home Affairs ($10) looks well over the odds in the Coolmore. Brilliant first up, then not tough enough for The TAB Everest. Back to his own age is a big plus.