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

Roman Aureus can notch consecutive wins after 12 months out of the winner’s stall, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Roman Aureus is going for back-to-back wins at Doomben. 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: +2.5m.

BEST BETS

Kutayha, R2 No.5 – $3.10

No match for the winner, but worked to the line well at first run in Queensland. Stayers from the stable tend to improve with the run here, so with that in mind, plus extra trip and proven ability on wet ground, he looks well placed.

Roman Aureus, R3 No.3 – $2.60

Broke the run of near misses with a good win in strong restricted race last time. Blinkers go on to presumably offset the drop back to 1200m. He’s going better than his rivals here and proven wet so think he can overcome the distance change.

Glitter Strip, R7 No.13 – $4.40

Fourth time lucky! Stable says she doesn’t enjoy being inside horses and she was on the rail the whole way last time. Draws out here, so that might be a blessing. Clear air, hopefully see the best of her.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Russian Racketeer $5.50-$4.40

Race 2: Sayl $14-$8.50, Kutayha $3.60-$3.10

Race 4: Mishani Untamed $15-$11

Race 5: Gogol $4.80-$4.20

Race 6: Grace Bay $7.50-$6.50, Rich Lister $5.50-$4.40

Race 7: Palladas $3.30-$2.50

Race 8: Stuttering $13-$9, Deep Sceiva, $15-$9

Race 9: Ocean Treaty $13-$9.50, Diva Bella $13-$9.50

A wide draw is ideal for Glitter Strip in race 7. Picture: Trackside Photography

THE QUADDIE

R6: FILLIES AND MARES NO METRO WINS HANDICAP (1110m)

This looks a lottery. No idea. Scratchings will be important as we try to offset a few bad gates. I’ve got Rich Lister ($4.40) having rated short of the required mark for this up to this point, but she draws the inside and has trialled well, plus stable just keep producing winners. Grace Bay ($6) could use a scratching or two but think she’s well placed here off recent Sydney midweek runs. Fall On A Star ($7.50) would be top pick, but wet big query. Shanjomi ($9.50) is a hope but needs luck from draw. Motomiss ($11) tends not to fire in Brisbane, but this is not a strong race. Liza With A Zee ($7) has a hope, but draw no help.

Selections: 1 Motomiss, 10 Rich Lister, 5 Grace Bay, 2 Liza With A Zee, 7 Shanjomi, 11 Fall On A Star

R7: CLASS 3 PLATE (1350m)

This is more clear cut. Looks a match between Tony Gollan’s Black Soil pair Palladas ($2.50) and Glitter Strip ($4.40). Palladas had a small margin to spare over Glitter Strip last time. Previously, the mare had the better head to head record. Going with Glitter Strip (again!). Stable said she doesn’t appreciate being inside horses and she was on the fence last time. Hoping this wide draw can be an advantage and she can get momentum up and power over them. Palladas is proving a costly conveyance, as he always starts near the top of the market, but he’s not winning. Gets every chance off the draw here, but not sure he’s as good on wet ground. Garoppolo ($7.50) the knockout.

Selections: 13 Glitter Strip, 5 Palladas

R8: BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1350m)

Dreamreacher ($3.90) and Sir Rocket ($4.60) are the obvious ones. Both come through much stronger races on Magic Millions day and ran well. Dreamreacher was forced to do it tough and thought the effort to finish as close as he did was good. Form from that race is strong. Sir Rocket was very good in the 1400m Cup, but does have to overcome barrier 14 with 59.5kg here. The knockout could be Never No More ($12). Started $101 but turned in easily his best Australian run when close up in a good race at the Gold Coast. Just peaked late there, so can be fitter. Handles wet and may have turned the corner since joining the Matt Dunn stable.

Selections: 1 Never No More, 11 Dreamreacher, 3 Sir Rocket

R9: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1615m)

Diva Bella ($9.50) is another runner that would benefit from a few scratchings, but she has the right form for this race, particularly with 51.5kg after the claim. She gets a big tick on wet ground and comes back to this after being competitive in Saturday Sydney races. Supergiant ($7.50) looked the probable winner on the turn last time, but didn’t finish off. Jock suggested that would bring him to his peak and stablemate The Ritz has come out to go to Sydney, leaving this guy to represent the Costa stable. Jetty ($9) had to do it tough last time and can bounce back with better luck. Stardome ($7) was good fresh over 1350m, so out to the mile can race well again.

Selections: 13 Diva Bella, 1 Supergiant, 3 Stardome

AWAY FROM HOME

KALLOS (Randwick, Race 4, $3.90) went from a Hawkesbury Maiden to a Flemington Group 2 win last prep, before failing in the Coolmore. Takes on older horses here, but looks a nice starting point, getting 5.5kg from Malkovich. At Caulfield, TUVALU (Race 9, $1.85) is short, but looks too good for them. Not far off I’m Thunderstruck last prep and can prove up to stakes grade himself.