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

An imported stayer has the right form to win the Rough Habit Plate, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Verona winning the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick last month. Picture: Getty Images

Sky Racing and Brisbane Racing Club’s turf expert Nathan Exelby runs his eye over Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 meeting at Eagle Farm.

Track: Soft 6. Rail: +7m.

BEST BETS

Shamaton, R1 No.6 – $4.60

Loves the 1000m at Eagle Farm and this should set up nicely for him with a strong tempo up front.

Diamil, R2 No.8 – $3.30

Totally unsuited by the walking tempo last week. Sits closer in the run this time and can bounce back.

Acquitted, R9 No.4 – $9.50

Trialled well and then ran very well at first Australian run in Sydney. This trip should suit better, as should the firmer going. Think he’s a terrific price.

MONEY TALKS

R1: Boomnova $5-$3.80

R2: Diamil $7-$3.30

R3: Our Intrigue $6.50-$5

R4: Startantes $4.20-$2.50

R5: Exo Lady $5-$4.40

R6: Juan Diva $4.40-$3.80, East Asia $12-$8

R7: Dark Destroyer $8.50-$6.50

R8: Kementari $9-$7, Count De Rupee $14-$10

R9: Never No More $9.50-$6.50, Palladas $11-$5

THE QUADDIE

R6: MAGIC MILLIONS BRIGHT SHADOW (1200m)

Ripping good mares race here. Going with Kisukano ($11), who can be forgiven for the last-start failure. She’s very well in here with just 54kg and can see her settling back off the hot speed and rattling home. East Asia ($7.50) has trialled brilliantly for this and did score a stunning stakes win at this track last time in. Centrefire ($19) trialled with East Asia and then caused a boilover fresh. Can race well again. Babylon Berlin ($4.40) is the proven class, having form around genuine Group 1 class sprinters back home in NZ. Has earned her big weight and will give a big sight on the speed. Juan Diva ($3.80) has a hope, but this is tougher.

Selections: 4 Kisukano, 5 Easy Asia, 1 Babylon Berlin, 10 Centrefire

Epic Girl (left) can bounce back at Eagle Farm. Picture: Trackside Photography

R7: ROUGH HABIT PLATE (2143m)

Going with the newcomers to the carnival. Verona ($5) was terrific winning at second Australian start in the Packer Plate, which is often a good guide to our three-year-old features. She’s obviously taken well to life in the Maher-Eustace yard. Pinarello ($6) looks a big improver out of New Zealand. Takes on tougher opposition here, but he beat them easily last time. Character ($3.30) and Dark Destroyer ($6.50) head the charge coming out of the Queensland Guineas. Both are unproven at this trip and not convinced they will relish it. Southern Stock is the one that can take big strides forward from that race and he will relish the extra ground. Ashgrove is also going the right way and can appreciate the trip.

Selections: 14 Verona, 5 Pinarello, 3 Dark Destroyer, 1 Character, 11 Ashgrove, 8 Southern Stock

R8: DOOMNEM 10,000 (1200m)

Mazu ($3) comes back to a drier track but not going to pot him on that. Ran quick time at Randwick over 1200m before a spell. Has been dominant this time and last start toyed with two horses that had placed at Group 1 level against older horses in their previous starts. Gets gun run and can be too good. Paulele ($12) was no match for Mazu but might be closer on a better surface this time. Isotope ($11) has the ability for this but needs all sorts of luck from the wide draw. Kementari ($7) may have been better suited had this been at Doomben on the Heavy. Rothfire ($15) can be the improver second up.

Selections: 9 Mazu, 10 Paulele, 14 Isotope

R9: BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1400m)

Back in 2020, Acquitted ($9.50) ran second to Palace Pier, who went on to be one of the world’s top rated three-year-olds that year. He obviously didn’t go to the same level, but he’s arrived in Australia in good shape going on the trials and the first-up run. Think he will be better up to 1400m this time on a firmer surface. Expect him to be charging home. Palladas ($4.20) is going to get the gun run this time and get his chance. Flexible ($7.50) looks the other winning hope first-up. She has been effective first up previously. Never No More ($6.50) is flying and the bigger track should suit, but worried about the weight.

Selections: 4 Acquitted, 12 Palladas, 13 Flexible, 1 Never No More

AWAY FROM HOME

Andermatt (Scone, Race 7 or 9, $2.20/$2.50) was teased as a Doomben 10,000 possibility, but instead Godolphin opt for a lesser race on this card, where he again gets the wet conditions he loves. Whichever race they opt for, he looks capable of continuing on his winning way. Godolphin can also enjoy success at Morphettville, where Alegron (Race 8, $2.80) can win a Derby at his third attempt this season.