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

Shooting For Gold returned with a dominant victory and looks too good for his rivals again, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby.

Shooting For Gold looks a good thing in race 2. 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

Allusionist, R1 No.4 – $4.60

Two runs in the south have been solid enough and has struck a very winnable race heading north here.

Shooting For Gold, R2 No.2 – $1.60

Even at this price he looks a reasonable play. Kept fresh since the super first-up win and meets similar opponents. He just looks better than these.

Ef Troop, R4 No.6 – $3.70

Just did enough first up in a race that proved too slick for him over the short course, but looks much better suited here. The dirt track trial win at Eagle Farm since that fresh run looked super sharp.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Allusionist $5.50-$4.60

Race 3: Power Boom $10-$8, Ready Babe $5-$4.40

Race 4: Ef Troop $4.20-$3.70, Peppi La Few $5.50-$4.40

Race 5: Without Thinking $4.20-$4, Lethal Warning $10-$5.50

Race 7: Dreamreacher $5-$4.20, Word For Word $6.50-$4.20, Triple Ace $2.25-$1.95

THE QUADDIE

R6: SPIRIT OF BOOM BM78 HANDICAP (1800M)

London Banker ($6) is the horse that appeals most to me here. Kelly Schweida’s runners have been in good touch of late and this guy looks set to really shine now he gets out beyond the mile. He’s hit the line well in both Australian starts and while others are paddling here, I expect him to be super strong late. Cinquedea ($3.80) was no match for Indispensable last week, but none of these would have been either. Down in grade he can run a race. So Dapper ($6) finds it hard to win these days, but he’s going along okay and is next best. I can’t get Fort Wayne ($3.70) anywhere near as short as the market has him.

Selections: 5 London Banker, 1 Cinquedea, 6 So Dapper

R7: SKY RACING CLASS 3 PLATE (1400M)

Nordicus is the focal point here, with both Avowal ($4.80) and Dynamic Duo ($5) finishing behind him (in different races) leading into this. Dynamic Duo had to change course and just had his momentum baulked first up. He looks to have returned in good form and out to 1400m can suit. Avowal was solid enough last week. He’s been a bit in and out, but no doubt his best is good enough for this. Champagne Aunty ($17) is a really interesting runner. She’s best over further, but wouldn’t surprise if she sprinted well fresh at 1400m. She’s had two trials and beat some handy types in winning the latest one comfortably. Mr Wong ($9.50) is the other horse I want onside. Up from Sydney, his best stacks up just fine for this.

Selections: 5 Dynamic Duo, 7 Champagne Aunty, 1 Avowal, 3 Mr Wong

Derulo is backing up after winning at Sunshine Coast last week. Picture: Mike Mills

R8: TAB QTIS 3YO HANDICAP (1200M)

Kacy Fogden’s team is going super at the moment with Derulo ($4.80) among the most prominent. He ran good figures winning at the Gold Coast, then toyed with older rivals at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday. Now backs up quickly against his own age, seeking more QTIS dollars before the end of the season. Should land in the first three and hopefully apply some pressure to Sydneysider Triple Ace and get him down. Triple Ace ($1.95) is the obvious testing material. He has a handy record from just eight starts to date. He steps to 1200m for the first time, but the way he’s finished off at 1100m, says it won’t be an issue. Think that pair have plenty on their rivals here.

Selections: 2 Derulo, 1 Triple Ace

R9: BM80 HANDICAP (1200M)

Good depth to this. Fisticuffs ($7) is a genuine enigma and he chose not to put in fresh 31 days ago now. That’s not unusual for him and I’m just hoping this race sets up better for him off the inside draw, with a less hectic tempo at 1200m. If he chooses, he has the ability to put these away. Luna Mia ($13) looks way over the odds in early trading. She was sound in a stakes race here, then very forgivable at Ipswich. Back to the big track, she’s capable of finishing off strongly. Snow Valley ($7.50) has had a soft trial since the Ipswich run. This is an easier race than the two she’s taken on so far this prep and she can give a big sight on speed.

Selections: 4 Fisticuffs, 16 Luna Mia, 13 Snow Valley

AWAY FROM HOME

South Pacific (Flemington, Race 8, $2.10) had been a bit of a slug since arriving in Australia, but has turned it around this prep and bolted in last time. Takes a weight hike, but expecting him to go on now he’s got the win under the belt. Honeycreeper (Randwick, Race 1, $2.30) looked hard to beat at Flemington, but they opt to stay home over the shorter trip and she’s well placed here.