TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Doomben
Tiger Heart can improve second-up and hand Birriecart his first defeat, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE
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Sky Racing and Brisbane Racing Club’s turf expert Nathan Exelby runs his eye over Saturday’s meeting at Doomben.
Track: Soft 5. Rail: +3m.
BEST BETS
Tiger Heart, R5 No.1 – $2
Good clash with the promising Birriecart, but siding with this guy going on the fact he improved sharply second-up in debut prep and had nice form around him.
Danezel, R8 No.13 – $5.50
He’s jumped out of the ground at his past two, winning easily here, then measuring up at Eagle Farm. Just needs an ounce of luck from the draw and he can get them down.
Sir Warwick, R9 No.8 – $2.70
Looks up to Open company – and possibly better. Now goes 1350m, but he settled beautifully in front last time and then produced a monster sectional.
MONEY TALKS
Race 1: Nemingah $8-$6.50
Race 2: Exo Lady $3.70-$3.50
Race 3: Already Blessed $26-$10, Zingalong $8-$6
Race 6: Rayjen $6.50-$4.60, Putontheredlight $8-$6
Race 7: Deep Sceiva $9.50-$7.50
Race 9: Sir Warwick $3.10-$2.70
Race 10: Contemptuous $3.50-$2.80
Moonee Valley
Cox Plate (moves before Gold Trip came out)
Verry Elleegant $7-$5, Anamoe $5-$4, Zaaki $2.80-$3
THE QUADDIE
R7: CLASS 6 PLATE (1615m)
Green Jacket ($4.40) had the better of So Taken ($4.80) here three weeks back, but the latter gets a 3.5kg swing in the weights and a better draw this time. She is at her best on wet ground, so the wetter the better for her, but regardless of where it lands now, there will be enough give to suit and she should race very well. Enterprise Keren ($5.50) comes off a last start Eagle Farm win and now stretches to the mile. I think she’s up to the task – took it up over 1400m last time and kept finding. She’s another one that has no trouble on wet ground. She will sit right on the speed and should give a big sight.
Selections: 9 Enterprise Keren, 11 So Taken, 6 Green Jacket
R8: BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1350m)
Scratchings will be important here in terms of finding out where some of these are going to land in the run. Danezel ($5.50) looks a bit sticky at the moment, but suspect it will turn out okay and he’s a horse that gets back in any case. He was terrific over this course, then measured up behind Enterprise Keren at his next start. This looks a touch weaker and given what looks a really good tempo here, he can watch it all unfold then unleash in the straight. His stablemate Phantom Court ($9) battled on OK at Caloundra last time and extra trip suits now. Stoked ($12) had excuses last start and can improve. Go Wandji ($7.50) is on trial at the trip, but is a talent.
Selections: 13 Danezel, 18 Phantom Court, 5 Stoked, 19 Go Wandji
R9: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1350m)
Jake Capewell has done a superb job with Sir Warwick ($2.70), who had been a bit of a problem child in Victoria. He put two solid Eagle Farm wins together, but was an even better horse at Doomben last time. He was allowed to dictate in front, so he was entitled to produce a good sprint, but what he did was exceptional, putting nearly six lengths on The Big Goodbye, who has been competitive in Saturday grade either side of that run. Meets a better field this time and has to go 1350m, but think he’s well up to it. Big Bad Bruce ($5.50) gets a gun run again after bolting in last time, while Neutron ($3.10) comes off a win in strong figures, but may have to be used up early.
Selections: 8 Sir Warwick, 2 Big Bad Bruce, 12 Neutron
R10: CLASS 6 HANDICAP (1200m)
Good race to finish off with many in-form horses. Going with Gogol ($6) to take the step to Saturday grade. He’s been peeling off some very strong sectional numbers as he’s picked his way through the grades at provincial level. The Les Kelly stable has a habit of keeping these type of horses at the top of their game for a good while and happy to be with him on the back-up – and no worries wet. Contemptuous ($2.80) is flying this time in. Received a good ride last time, but still won very well. Sir Rocket ($6) has been far too good in two runs this prep and can measure up, but does need a slice of luck from the draw. Ruuca ($8) has drawn badly in five of his past seven starts and that’s making life tough for him.
Selections: 5 Gogol, 2 Contemptuous, 10 Sir Rocket
AWAY FROM HOME
Emerald Kingdom should take catching in the Filante Handicap (Race 5) at Randwick. Rob Heathcote felt he would need the run at Eagle Farm and Apache Chase proved too strong for him. But he battled on solidly and wasn’t beaten far at the end. He can give this lot something to chase. In the Cox Plate, backing Zaaki to bounce back. Sixteen of the last 30 Cox Plate winners were beaten in their final lead-up, including Sunline (twice). Think he’s the best horse and look forward to him proving it.