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

Dawn Passage can rise to the occasion at big odds, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Dawn Passage returned to form in The Archer first-up. Picture: AAP

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

Track: Heavy 8. Rail: True.

BEST BETS

Roman Aureus, R2 No.4 – $11

Back to 1200m isn’t his pet trip, but the conditions will make it testing and think current price is well over the odds given how well he’s going.

Zougotcha, R3 No.4 – $2.40

Towelled up Zou Tiger at her debut and that looks strong form now. Beaten back to 1100m 2nd up, but has trialled very well since.

Nudge, R5 No.2 – $4.20

Looks a bit ugly from the draw, but she’s the best horse in this race (by a stretch) and banking on class being able to overcome the position in running.

MONEY TALKS

R1: Montez $15-$8.50, Seduction Queen $10-$6

R2: The Big Goodbye $5-$3.60

R3: Zougotcha $2.70-$2.40, Midnight In Tokyo $5-$4.20

R4: Contemptuous $3.20-$2.80, Shelby Sixtysix $13-$7.50

R6: Blondeau $12-$9, Gospodin $17-$10

R8: Chilko Lane $15-$10

R9: Rubiquitous $7.50-$4.60, Kalashnikov $15-$9.50

THE QUADDIE

R6: TAB BRC SPRINT (1350m)

Super tough! Happy to spec Dawn Passage ($16) after his good run in the Archer. Might be back this prep and he did race very well in a Golden Eagle on heavy ground as a four-year-old. Bolted in the only time we saw him at Doomben. Think he’s over the odds. Soxagon ($7.50) was superb at the Gold Coast and has come back better than ever. Think he can show himself to be a Stradbroke contender in this. Taksu ($6) is the genuine mudlark and form around him keeps stacking up. Oscar Zulu ($12) had no luck at Gosford and handles wet ground. There’s other chances as well, but happy going with that quartet.

Selections: 5 Dawn Passage, 12 Taksu, 3 Soxagon, 8 Oscar Zulu

R7: DOOMBEN CUP (2000m)

It really does look a Zaaki benefit, even if he’s not really at home on these wet tracks. He did a few things wrong at the Gold Coast, but still managed to get the job done reasonably comfortably in the end and we know his lone go at Doomben was quite spectacular. I think the $1.50 is a generous price given the massive class advantage he has on every single one of his rivals. As the track gets further into the Heavy range, Polly Grey ($8) becomes the clear second pick. She’s a ripper in the mud and ran very well in the Hollindale. Tipping the same first four with Kukeracha ($12) and Huetor ($11) next best.

Selections: 1 Zaaki

Barb Raider is a query on a heavy track. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

R8: THE ROSES (2000m)

Barb Raider ($3.70) failed at her lone go on heavy ground, so risking her to some degree if they opt to start. Think Biscayne Bay ($12) is way over the odds. Ran well in the ATC Oaks last start on heavy ground, which followed her placing in the VRC Oaks last November. That’s strong form for this and she’s only had two runs back this prep, so should still have a bit of upside. Expect Gin Martini ($16) to give another good sight on speed. She was fair enough at the Gold Coast and think the extra trip will be a plus for her. Belle Savoir ($9) is progressing nicely this prep and might be ready for the 2000m now.

Selections: 2 Biscayne Bay, 4 Gin Martini, 8 Belle Savoir, 1 Barb Raider

R9: DARBY McCARTHY (1110m)

Tough finish! Kalashnikov ($9.50) has trialled like a bomb twice this year. Unproven wet? Hamlet Von Snitzel ($12) comes back from 1300m, but it was a strong race and a testing 1110m will see him strong at the end. Rubiquitous ($4.60) beat some good horses here four weeks back, handling the Heavy ground without any issue. Draws to get his chance again. Miss Hipstar ($10) ran well in that race and then battled on OK in the Gold Coast Guineas. Like her back to 1110m off the good gate. Zavaboom ($4.60) comes back in distance out of the same race as Hamlet Von Snitzel and think that suits him. Unknown on genuinely wet ground.

Selections: 12 Miss Hipstar, 6 Hamlet Von Snitzel, 2 Rubiquitous, 1 Kalashnikov, 7 Zavaboom

AWAY FROM HOME

The Inferno (Adelaide, Race 8, $9) can run a big race in the Goodwood. Put the writing on the wall last time and showed in the spring he was up to this type of Group 1 race. In Sydney, Quintello (Rosehill, Race 9, $2.40) can make it three from three this prep as she continues to go through the grades.