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

Apache Chase boasts a win over Ayrton but he’s possibly a better horse this campaign, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby.

Apache Chase returned a winner this prep in the Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba. Picture: Nev Madsen

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

Track: Good 4. Rail: +1.5m

BEST BETS

Palazzo Spirit, R2 No.3 – $1.95

Stable and jock seemingly have a big opinion of this guy, who was asked to do a little more in his second trial and responded by beating last week’s winner Heroic Son easily.

Sienna’s Choice, R5 No.9 – $7.50

Kelly Schweida scratched from a race she most likely would have won on Wednesday to tackle this tougher event. She’s run big sectionals her past two and will be hard to hold out again.

Apache Chase, R7 No.2 – $2.20

Surprised me with what he did at Toowoomba and he may well be a better horse now. This is his pet track/trip and with the fitness edge on Emerald Kingdom, can win again here.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Zingalong, $4.40-$4

Race 2: Palazzo Spirit, $2.40-$1.95

Race 4: Fetch, $7-$3.80

Race 5: Smokin’ Pierro, $17-$11

Race 6: Mister Larabee, $3.90-$3

Race 7: Apache Chase, $2.40-$2.25

Randwick

Race 8: Head Of State, $4.60-$3.80; French Emperor, $51-$23

Caulfield

Race 8: Anamoe, $2.30-$2.80; Artorius, $4.50-$4; Tiger Of Malay, $21-$9.50

THE QUADDIE

R6: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1400m)

Mister Larabee ($3) is a promising three-year-old and this trip looks like suiting now after he was dominant at the end of 1200m on his home track last start. Will enjoy a soft run off the inside. Enterprise Keren ($5.50) did a good job finishing off behind Miami Fleiss in strong figures at the Gold Coast. She’s just continued to improve this calendar year and she’s come back better than ever. Is a winner over the Eagle Farm 1400m, so just needs a touch of luck from the draw. Danezel ($4.20) was flattered by the leaders stopping and the race ended up being run in modest figures, but he did put them away impressively and has obviously come back better. Alpendurada ($7) can finish off strongly, but thinking he might still need another yet.

Selections: 10 Mister Larabee, 6 Enterprise Keren, 9 Danezel

R7: NUDGEE COLLEGE OLD BOYS’ CUP OPEN (1400m)

Really good race for this time of year. Apache Chase ($2.20) and Emerald Kingdom ($4.40) will try and control in front, while Our Playboy ($6.50) will sit out the back and hope they overdo it in front to allow him to get home. Apache Chase was terrific winning the Weetwood – easily his best career effort over 1200m. Now steps up to 1400m, where he boasts a win over Ayrton at level weights. Drawn for Jimmy Byrne to have options when Emerald Kingdom crosses and get the upper hand. Emerald Kingdom was terrific in the Stradbroke this course, while Our Playboy didn’t have much luck until decimating his Winx Guineas rivals. All three are up to better races than this.

Selections: 2 Apache Chase, 1 Emerald Kingdom, 3 Our Playboy

Guntantes hasn’t won since December 2019. Picture: AAP

R8: QUEENSLAND CUP (2406m)

No stars, but a very competitive Queensland Cup, headed by Honorable Spirit ($2.40), who has been a bit of a revelation in the past three months, just lifting the bar all the time. He was very good at Toowoomba and this is no harder. If he sees the 2400m out, he looks the likely winner. Navy Cross ($4) can be the danger. Obviously amiss the day he dropped out here, then turned it around winning at the Gold Coast and he’s trialled very well since that win. Crosses to be on speed and now he’s won a race may well go on with it. Lunasnit ($7.50) was solid at Toowoomba and has a hope on that. Top Order ($9.50) continues to race consistently and does go well at this track.

Selections: 2 Honorable Spirit, 3 Navy Cross

R9: BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP (1200m)

Can Ingear put two good runs together? She hasn’t managed that for a long time, but Tony Gollan has given her plenty of time since the tough win here 35 days back. Still, at $2.30 against a better field, she makes no betting appeal to me. Guntantes ($6.50) is a lazy 658 days between wins and has a few convictions, but he was very good early last prep and the recent trial suggests he’s in very good shape for this. Happy to spec him here. Full Nelson ($6) has turned the corner this prep and goes in as a hope again, while Boom Spender ($7) can improve. She Za Boss ($8) is good enough, but banking on her needing a run.

Selections: 3 Guntantes, 1 Full Nelson, 8 Boom Spender

AWAY FROM HOME

Profondo may well turn out the best horse, but for now, Head Of State (Randwick, race 8, $3.80) can hopefully have the edge on him in the Spring Champion Stakes after getting him down in the Gloaming. His closing splits were excellent and he shapes like he will lap up the 2000m. Can also have something on Queensland filly Bulloo at $21 in the same race. Anamoe is tough to beat in the Caulfield Guineas, but the barrier is no spoil, so going to play Tiger Of Mallay at the $13, getting a sweet run near the speed.