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

A better barrier and run in transit gives Totally Charmed the edge over stablemate and favourite Shooting For Gold, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby.

Totally Charmed can finish in front of stablemate Shooting For Gold again. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

Track: Soft 5. Rail: True.

BEST BETS

Swiss Exile, R3 No.7 - $4.20

Stable has a formidable record in Queensland, particularly with its babies. Looked the part rounding up rivals to win a recent Canterbury trial. Sure to be strong at the end.

Miss Pierro, R2 No.8 - $8.50

This doesn’t look an overly strong race, so tipping she can step up from first-up maiden win. Overall time was good for the day and she will relish the extra distance.

Jakama, R9 No.6 - $6.50

Good effort at Eagle Farm two starts back, then a very good ride helped him overcome a wide gate at Ipswich. Gets a perfect trail here and is good enough to get over these.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Couldn’t Refuse $5-$4.40

Race 3: Swiss Exile $5-$4.60

Race 4: Penthouse $21-$15, Enzina $6-$4.60

Race 6: East Asia $18-$12

Race 7: Shooting For Gold $3.60-$3.10, Archer’s Paradox $26-$19

Race 9: Garibaldi $3.90-$3.30, Dusty Tycoon $7-$5.50

Villiers – Randwick (Race 8)

Steely $6-$4.60, Kirwans Lane $26-$13, Brutality $11-$9, Criaderas $15-$13

THE QUADDIE

R6: JUST NOW QUALITY (1300m)

A few back-up from last week, with Tycoon Evie ($9) and Eloquently ($3.20) the most appealing for me. Tycoon Evie didn’t have the best of luck there and think she’s better placed up to 1300m on the bigger track. She has a super record at Eagle Farm and is drawn to enjoy the perfect trail. Eloquently needs some luck from the wide gate, but she was terrific getting up on the inside behind Miami Fleiss last week. Expat ($6) is obviously the one they all have to beat. She brings a very good record from Sydney and has returned as well as ever. The query is she’s short enough and is yet to see Eagle Farm.

Selections: 6 Tycoon Evie, 5 Eloquently, 3 Expat

Tycoon Evie will improve stepping up in distance. Picture: Trackside Photography

R7: BRIBIE HANDICAP (1000m)

Totally Charmed ($5) finished just in front of Shooting For Gold ($3.10) at the Sunshine Coast and think barriers/circumstances can see him do the same. He was terrific there after being held up slightly at the top of the straight. Kept fresh since and specifically aimed for this. He’s drawn to land wherever he’s comfortable and sprint home hard. Shooting For Gold went to the races last week, tipped over and had to go back to the trials. Now finds himself here as a back-up plan with a sticky gate. If the O’Dea/Hoysted pair happen to come up short, Usmanov ($8) is the one most likely to capitalise. He’s a beauty over the short course and at Eagle Farm.

Selections: 5 Totally Charmed, 3 Shooting For Gold, 1 Usmanov

R8: CLASS 6 PLATE (1200m)

D-Day for Garibaldi ($3.30). He was tried in better races and just came up short in the winter and first-up found 1000m too sharp. Suited back to this grade and he’s better drawn than his two main rivals. But it is a while between wins. Garoppolo ($4.80) was scratched from Doomben on Friday to run here from the bad gate. He’s a very talented horse who wasn’t far off stakes grade last prep. Mass Destruction ($5) gets a big weight swing on Garoppolo but also has a sticky gate. Both will get back and run on. Dusty Tycoon ($5.50) will be making her own luck in front and is the most likely should the others strike problems back in the field.

Selections: 12 Garoppolo, 7 Garibaldi, 13 Mass Destruction, 14 Dusty Tycoon

R9: SUMMER PROVINCIAL SERIES FINAL (1300m)

This race has fallen away a bit with Cracker Essgee opting for the Gateway and All To Do tackling a three horse race on Friday. It leaves Jakama ($6.50) an absolute standout for me. John Dann has him going beautifully at the moment and Sam Collett is now starting to get the momentum her ability always said would happen. She will give him a lovely ride from the good gate and behind at least an even tempo, he will finish off very strongly. Clairvue Star ($7) has been super consistent but just struggling to break through. Aluf ($8.50), Amyrykal ($11), Love Yers All ($9.50) and Hidden Eyes ($7) perhaps next best, but chips in Jakama!

Selections: 6 Jakama, 14 Clairvue Star

AWAY FROM HOME

Lighthouse (Flemington, race 6, $2.40) perhaps wasn’t as impressive second-up, but still got the job done and that rating is still good enough to win this. Think she’s better than these. At Randwick, it’s a tough looking Villiers, so going to veer to the last and go with Brookspire ($2.50) to build on her good wet track record.