TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Eagle Farm

Alpine Edge could be the best horse racing at Eagle Farm, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Alpine Edge is the class runner at Eagle Farm. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

BEST BETS

Luna Mia, R3 No.8 – $4.60

Indian Dreamer, R3 No.10 – $9.50

Happy to play both, Luna Mia from the better draw this time and Indian Dreamer, who has trialled well and can turn out the best horse in this field.

Alpine Edge, R4 No.1 – $3.60

He’s the best horse in this field and quite possibly the best horse racing at Eagle Farm. Only failure was in the hottest two-year-old race of the season (outside the Slipper), where he was beaten less than four lengths. Trials have looked good. He can outclass these.

Safework, R5 No.2 – $9

He has a shocking strike rate, but has been super competitive all season. Doesn’t go a yard in the wet, so forgive last time and prior was stiff in a hot race at Ipswich. He’s good enough to get this lot down.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Champagne Aunty $3.20-$2.30

Race 2: Unamerican $4.60-$4

Race 3: Luna Mia $5.50-$4.60

Race 4: Alpine Edge $5-$3.60, Startantes $6-$5

Race 5: Safework $16-$10

Race 6: Titled Tycoon $7-$5.50

Race 7: Triple Ace $2.90-$2.25, Je Suis Belle $11-$7

Race 8: Emerald Kingdom $5.50-$4.60

Race 9: Eloquently $3.30-$3

THE QUADDIE

R6: CLASS 3 PLATE (1815M)

Titled Tycoon ($5) was exposed early in the straight then no match for Victoria Park a fortnight back. He was 1500-1800m there and he can be a better horse this week with that run under his belt. Gets all favours off a soft draw and stable is just having an incredible run with the horses they are bringing to Queensland. Alatar ($10) is badly weighted under these conditions and doesn’t ‘rate’ as high as others in different rating models, but has really attacked the line in the two wins and still has upside. Mob Buster ($3.40) is having a great campaign and looks like he can cope with the step to 1800m now. Relucent ($4.40) is next best, but his strike rate doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.

Selections: 14 Titled Tycoon, 1 Alatar, 8 Mob Buster, 11 Relucent.

R7: CLASS 6 HANDICAP (1200M)

Triple Ace ($2.25) was a little easy in betting and the drift proved accurate, as he was nailed narrowly by Bar Barista. Now takes on older horses and I like the set-up this time, getting in with important weight relief, plus having had the experience on Eagle Farm, I suspect you will see a much better horse this time. Happy to take the shorts about him atoning here. Je Suis Belle ($7) gave a super sight before Shooting For Gold overwhelmed her. The question is a strong 1200m, but did like what she did first up. Royal Hale ($5.50) is fairly honest, but surely gives away a start from out there and may have trouble reeling the three-year-old in.

Selections: 7 Triple Ace.

Profit will improve on a drier track. Picture: AAP

R8: OPEN HANDICAP (1400M)

Emerald Kingdom ($4.60) looks like crossing very comfortably to a good spot on speed here. Hasn’t raced for 49 days and that’s the little query with him after being a late scratching from the Sunshine Coast three weeks back. Gets in just fine after the claim and sure to give a good sight. I don’t think Profit ($6.50) let down on the wet track at Caloundra. Wasn’t beaten overly far and now returns to Eagle Farm, where he has a great record. Doesn’t have to give away a huge start from barrier four and I’m hoping he can really hit the line today. Scallopini ($7) took up an uncustomary role at Caloundra and battled on okay. Risking Matowi ($4.20) 2nd up here, thinking the edge might be off now after he sprinted so well fresh.

Selections: 7 Profit, 1 Emerald Kingdom, 2 Scallopini.

R9: QTIS 3YO FILLIES HANDICAP (1300M)

Eloquently ($3) has won her past two against better performed horses than she’s set to meet. Miami Fleiss did it tough last week and was a sitting shot, but take nothing away from Eloquently, she charged to the line and went right away to clock strong overall figures. Given the way she ran 1200m out at Toowoomba, see no reason to doubt her at 1300m here and even with the 59kg, she has a good class edge on these. Super tough race if it’s not her … Lady Banff ($12) was good off a horror run last time; Princess Tenko ($6) can be improved off the maiden win; Phantom Court ($15), Cindarella ($7.50) also have hopes.

Selections: 1 Eloquently, 7 Princess Tenko, 3 Lady Banff.

AWAY FROM HOME

Betcha Flying (Moonee Valley, Race 6, $6.50) was a dual acceptor for Sydney and Melbourne, but scratched at Randwick to head to Moonee Valley. She strikes a pretty average race here and after putting the writing on the wall last time, should be super competitive here. At Randwick, Blondeau (Race 7, $5) can win again. He had been a little costly since the first up win, but put them away well last time and this not likely to be much harder.