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

Tramonto is the best placed horse in the country, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Tramonto dashes clear to win at Doomben for trainer Johnny Field – Picture: Grant Peters 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: +4.5m.

BEST BETS

Cracker Essgee, R4 No.3 – $6

Strikes a dry track for the first time since The Gateway, where he was only 2.6 lengths off Apache Chase at level weights. Needs to get in, but think he represents good value at the current price with the market gravitating to Caffrey.

Melisma, R6 No.13 – $4

She has to take a bit step up the ladder, but she was dominant winning first up and the time was very good. Gets a box seat run, while others are going to need luck from their draws.

Profit, R8 No.1 – $4

Jock showed great initiative last time, but horse responded well. Showed he can still run a brilliant sectional and maintain a long sprint. Why not back-to-back now?

MONEY TALKS

Race 2: Indian Dreamer $3.60-$3.40

Race 3: Our Candidate $4.60-$3.70, Chocolatier $11-$8

Race 4: Caffrey $3.70-$2.80, Knight Mariner $5.50-$4.60

Race 5: Confessed $8.50-$6

Race 6: Lucicello $9-$4.40

Race 7: Enterprise Pomme $4-$3.70, Star Gamble $9-$6.50

Race 8: Profit $5-$4

Race 9: Tramonto $4.20-$3.20, Explosive Quality $16-$15

THE QUADDIE

R6: CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1110m)

Melisma ($4) made a mess of her rivals in the end at Caloundra, bolting in to win easily in fast time. This is obviously harder, but she’s only lightly raced and still has plenty of upside. She also is drawn to get the run of the race, while key rivals like Boomnova ($5.50) and Befana ($14) are drawn to need luck. Lucicello ($4.40) resumes for new stable off better races in Sydney. She’s been competitive with Lost And Running and Count De Rupee in the last 12 months. Reports suggest she’s gone very well in a recent jumpout and is ready to rock first-up. Zingalong ($8.50) is racing well without winning, but is nicely placed in this grade with an okay draw.

Selections: 13 Melisma, 3 Lucicello, 2 Boomnova, 4 Zingalong

R7: QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1200m)

Enterprise Pomme ($3.70) has been helped by the scratchings. Can see her getting across without too many issues and being very hard to catch. I was with Star Gamble ($6.50) last week in what looked an easier race, but they pulled the pin from the wide gate. He comes up with a good marble for this, but will be chasing better opposition. Nothing special on the clock at Ipswich, but there was a certain arrogance about the win. I fear though scratchings have helped others more than him, as it drags some tempo out of the race. Legal Esprit ($5) just missed first-up and he gives the impression 1200m won’t be an issue now.

Selections: 3 Enterprise Pomme, 9 Star Gamble, 1 Legal Esprit

A few scratchings will help Enterprise Pomme. Picture: Trackside Photography

R8: OPEN HANDICAP (1630m)

Profit ($4) has developed a bit of a reputation but he put that to bed to some extent by sustaining a long run at Caloundra. Closing split was electric, so just showed how much he benefited from a proactive ride. Wouldn’t think they concede too much here and even if it’s a soft tempo again, Kyle Wilson-Taylor won’t have an issue putting him into the race. He’s better than these if he repeats what happened last time. Kedah ($10) and Victory Eight ($41) both come off the Sunshine Coast Cup on the same day and are much better suited here. The latter made nice ground late and can race well at odds. Risking Sea Raider ($5) against these.

Selections: 1 Profit, 8 Victory Eight, 10 Kedah

R9: CLASS 6 PLATE (1200m)

If you look at ratings, there’s no way you can get Tramonto ($3.20) beaten here. He’s the best placed horse in the country coming into this with just 52.5kg under the SW+P conditions and with the use of Jaden Lloyd’s claim. Just have to ask whether he’s ready to go after 126 days off. The draw gives him the chance to be where they want and if he shows anything like his Queensland runs last prep, the others will be racing for the minors. Kingston’s Here ($3.20) is going super and no issues out to 1200m now, but he has to give away 5kg to Tramonto, instead of getting 0.5kg off him in a true handicap. Explosive Quality ($15) can run a race at odds. Very good effort at Caloundra.

Selections: 14 Tramonto, 15 Explosive Quality, 7 Kingston’s Here

AWAY FROM HOME

Verry Elleegant (Randwick, Race 8, $5) can wind the clock back to the great era of the 1990s where Melbourne Cup winners would regularly win first up after the Cup when she runs in the Apollo. Just a real champion. In the Orr Stakes (Caulfield, Race 8), happy to back both Sinawann ($4.20) and Tofane ($6.50). The former looks a potential star, while the latter was very good without winning in the spring.