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

The very few Stradbroke winners to contest the Tatt’s Tiara have a great record which makes Tofane a must, especially at her price.

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

BEST BETS

Redoute’s Image, R2 No.1 – $1.85

The scratching of Eloquently takes out what looked her biggest rival and she’s poised to make it two on end here. Liked the way she put them away at the end at Caloundra, beating a handy filly, and you know she will be strong late here. She has a decent class edge on these and can continue Craig Williams’ great Queensland form.

Shooting For Gold, R7 No.6 – $2.40

Talented three-year-old taking on the older horses. He has been learning his craft to date, where he’s shown glimpses of his true ability. Expecting him to be more furnished this time in and this is a lovely starting point, meeting older horses that have mostly reached their mark. Trial was just fine and he can sit back and let rip here.

Tofane, R8, No.1 – $5 & Subpoenaed, R8 No.8 – $10

The market is there to back both of these girls. Tofane has only had three runs this prep so no reason she will be over the top after the big Stradbroke win. She carried a good horse’s weight in that race and now comes back to her own sex. Subpoenaed had the weight pull on her there, but barrier was right against and she did a good job to get as close as she did. Happy to be on both.

MONEY TALKS

Race 2: Redoute’s Image $2.10-$1.85, Microwave Jenny $6-$4.60

Race 3: Garoppolo $8-$5, Mass Destruction $3.50-$3.30

Race 4: Polly Grey $3-$2.40, La Grisa $7.50-$5.50

Race 5: Fully Maxed $19-$9

Race 7: Shooting For Gold, $2.60-$2.40

Race 8: Subpoenaed $16-$10, Nudge $17-$13, Odeum $7-$5.50, Tofane $4.60-$5

Race 9: Jen Rules $10-$5.50, Bella Nipotina $12-$9

Away from Home

Fender (Rosehill, Race 6, $6.50) was good in three Brisbane appearances, culminating in his tidy effort in the BRC Sprint last month. Meets Ranier 2.5kg better for beating him two lengths in that race and should give a big sight on speed. Fifth Position (Caulfield, Race 7, $4) might have just needed the run second up at Caulfield off a ripper first up run in Australia. Gets handy weight relief, giving him the chance to turn the tables.

THE QUADDIE

R6: TATTERSALL’S CUP (2400M)

On any ratings you look at, Incentivise ($1.40) just goes around and wins again. Will it be that simple? Maybe, but I have to be mindful that this is the first time he’s met quality opposition of any description. It’s a whole different ball game dropping 60-raters at the 500m like he did last week compared to shrugging off horses that have been competitive in Group 1 company. From a betting point of view, it’s a race I’m happy to watch. For quaddie players, I would recommend splitting the risk. Take only Incentivise in one for a bigger percentage, but then another one including Southern France ($6) and Mirage Dancer ($7.50). They won’t know themselves getting back to a race as skinny as this.

Selections: 4 Incentivise, 2 Southern France, 1 Mirage Dancer

Incentivise faces better quality opposition on Saturday. Picture: Trackside Photography

R7: BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP (1000M)

On a day where there’s six horses marked shorter than $3, this is the one I’m most comfortable being with. Shooting For Gold ($2.40) has always carried a good reputation and on occasions we’ve seen why. When he’s on song, he’s a real talent. I suspect he’s been a “work in progress” type horse for Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted, who should now be ready to live up to his potential. This race should set up beautifully for him. They will run along in front, he can balance up midfield or thereabouts and then let rip when Baylee Nothdurft asks him to in the straight. Genzai The Wolf ($9) loves Eagle Farm and will be strong at the end. Desert Man ($12) and Devil’s Temptation ($5) next best, but I’m going one out here.

Selections: 6 Shooting For Gold, then 5 Genzai The Wolf, 2 Desert Man and 4 Devil’s Temptation for multis.

R8: TATTERSALL’S TIARA (1400M)

Only three Stradbroke winners have run in this race and two have won, so Tofane ($5) is a must. Subpoenaed ($10) was excellent off a wide gate in that race and now draws barrier two. From the Dane Ripper, Odeum ($5.50) just peaked late with Brooklyn Hustle ($10) overwhelming her in the better part of the track. She draws out here, but there’s not huge tempo, so she may have the tactical speed to roll forward and find a spot. Madam Rouge ($17) was also good in the Dane Ripper and is Group 1 placed over the 1400m here. She gives Luke Dittman a terrific shot at Group 1 success. Left field choice is Coventina Bay ($21) – made run on the slowest part of the track last time.

Selections: 1 Tofane, 8 Subpoenaed, 16 Odeum, 5 Madam Rouge

Tofane is going for the Stradbroke-Tatt’s Tiara double. Picture: Trackside Photography

R9: WJ HEALY STAKES (1200M)

Jen Rules ($5.50) hasn’t won a race in 539 days and 15 runs, but this looks a little step back in grade after a ripping good run in the Dane Ripper, where she kept coming all the way, only to be beaten by three to her outside. Now she’s proven on the surface, this looks a lovely stakes target for her. Away Game ($5) had betting support first up but just wilted late. She will be fitter here – but needs to be. The figures from that race said the leaders were entitled to kick on. Exhilarates ($7.50) was further back in the Dane Ripper than Jen Rules, but 1200m is more suitable for her. Zaniah ($16) next best after good run behind Baller. Not sure Usmanov ($6) with the combination of 1200m and 59kg.

Selections: 9 Jen Rules, 6 Away Game, 3 Exhilarates, 7 Zaniah

AWAY FROM HOME

Fender (Rosehill, Race 6, $6.50) was good in three Brisbane appearances, culminating in his tidy effort in the BRC Sprint last month. Meets Ranier 2.5kg better for beating him two lengths in that race and should give a big sight on speed. Fifth Position (Caulfield, Race 7, $4) might have just needed the run second up at Caulfield off a ripper first up run in Australia. Gets handy weight relief, giving him the chance to turn the tables.