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

Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby is keen on an exciting three-year-old making his return and a stayer on the rise at Doomben. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Prince Of Boom looks to have improved based on his trials. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

Track: Soft 5. Rail: +0.5m

BEST BETS

Miami Fleiss, R3 No.13 – $1.95

She was forced to do a power of work in the run and despite giving a good kick turning for home, it left her vulnerable to Eloquently last time. Given five weeks to get over that run, she’s drawn to land in the right spot and be too good for these.

London Banker, R4 No.5 – $3.20

Takes on tougher opponents this time, but the way he keeps lifting the bar, it won’t be an issue. Gets a really soft run to the turn and can then prove too strong late.

Prince Of Boom, R7 No.1 – $2.50

Good clash coming up with Alpine Edge, but he should have an “in-run” advantage. Plus I suspect he’s made big improvement since his two-year-old days, based on what we’ve seen in the trial and jumpout.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: The Move, $4.40-$3.40

Race 2: Deep Sceiva, $9-$6.50; Keefy, $13-$7

Race 3: Miami Fleiss, $2.30-$1.95

Race 4: Stardome, $4.40-$4

Race 5: Roman Aureus, $4.40-$4

Race 6: Weona Smartone, $22-$1.85

Race 7: Prince Of Boom, $4-$2.70

Caulfield

Race 5: Masked Crusader, $2.20-$1.80

Race 6: Probabeel, $2.80-$2.15

Race 8: Tofane, $5.50-$4.60; Sierra Sue, $15-$10; Ayrton, $2.50-$2.20

THE QUADDIE

Race 6: 4YO Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 6 Handicap (1200m)

Weona Smartone looks a potential stakes class horse. He’s strung five wins together and in most of them has been very good on the clock as well. He sets a good tempo in front and keeps running. It makes it difficult for this class of horse to beat him. He’s drawn off the track here and presumably the ones with speed inside will try and make him work. If he’s to be brought undone, Dreamreacher could be the beneficiary. He’s going very well this prep and fought back strongly to beat Champagne Aunty. He’s had 42 days and a trial since, so should be nice and fresh and gets a gun run off the good draw. Derulo and He’s A Hotshot are chances for the multiples.

Selections: 5 Weona Smartone, 6 Dreamreacher

Weona Smartone can keep winning. Picture: Trackside Photography

Race 7: 3YO Plate (1200m)

Ripping good clash here between Queensland’s best two-year-olds of last season Alpine Edge and Prince Of Boom. We’ve already seen Alpine Edge and he was very good under a big weight at Eagle Farm. He gave away a big start, but really wound up strongly to reel them in. Form has been solid from the race since through Princess Bojack. This time however, he’s chasing a horse with more class than those he beat last time and it may be difficult to give him the same kind of start. Prince Of Boom was super winning the Champagne (Spirit Of Boom) Classic over this course and trial/jumpout suggests he’s come back better. His stablemate Startantes can be next best after an impressive win at the midweeks last time.

Selections: 1 Prince Of Boom, 2 Alpine Edge

Race 8: Open Handicap (1350m)

This race seemingly has a few more winning chances than the previous couple. At Witz End beat Wapiti over this course three weeks ago and meets him on similar terms. He was given a gun ride by Brad Stewart there, but should enjoy all the favours off a better gate this time. Think he’s hard to catch again. Wapiti looked sharper in that run than he did all prep last time in, so he’s obviously come back well. He will enjoy a nice soft run as well. Ballistic Boy will give away a start to that pair, but the trial looked good and he’s proven he can sprint well when fresh. Supergiant is a potential knockout. He ran well in the At Witz End/Wapiti race. Probably wants further soon enough, but he has the class to beat these.

Selections: 6 At Witz End, 13 Wapiti, 3 Ballistic Boy, 12 Supergiant

Race 9: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m)

Big field and they should generate a good tempo. Giving Scottish Mist another chance. She didn’t fire a shot first up at Eagle Farm, but had trialled well prior to that and now across the road to Doomben with a genuine tempo, think she could turn it around quickly. Angus The Black did enough fresh at 1200m and he’s a much better horse when he gets to 1350m. Drawn to be midfield and close enough if good enough. Night Of Power will be out the back giving away a start, but sure to be charging at the end. Acrobatic needs to step it up another notch now, but good speed will suit and he’s drawn to get the right run.

Selections: 19 Scottish Mist, 20 Angus The Black, 10 Acrobatic, 2 Night Of Power

AWAY FROM HOME

The policy of following horses out of Stradbroke Season is proving fruitful, with Private Eye the latest last week. Will continue the theme this week and step into Ayrton (Race 9, $2.20) at Caulfield. Expected him to come up odds-on in this race and he may well start that way yet. Looks a genuine Group 1 prospect and this is a nice starting point for his spring campaign. At Kembla Grange, I think Stay Inside (Race 6) can buck the Slipper curse and resume a winner in the San Domenico.