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

Coastwatch can improve on top of the ground in a wide open Queensland Guineas, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Coastwatch can improve on drier ground in the Queensland Guineas. Picture: Getty Images

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: +5m.

BEST BETS

Vitesse Francais, R2 No.7 – $5

The penny really dropped when ridden quietly at Ipswich and he did a big job to put his rivals away. An improving son of So You Think who is reaching maturity now and should measure up.

Minsk Moment, R3 No.4 – $5.50

Goes in as the second seed for Chris Waller, but ran well in the Coolmore last spring and has struck wet tracks behind the Doomben 10,000 favourite both runs this prep. Very well placed.

Lunakorn, R4 No.10 – $6

Gave Us Up is hard to beat, but at the price, happy to be with this girl, who was good last time and will relish 1600m now.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Major Artie $2.80-$2.25

Race 3: Kir Royale $3.50-$3

Race 4: Gave Us Up $3-$2.60

Race 5: Steady Ready $3.10-$2.40, Chinny Boom $17-$11

Race 6: Arentee $5.50-$3.30

Race 8: Count De Rupee $7-$6, Rothfire $2.80-$2.25, Jamaea $31-$19

Race 9: Go Wandji $2.50-$2.40, Bullfinch $11-$6, New Arrangement $15-$9

THE QUADDIE

R6: CLASS 3 PLATE (1200m)

Very good Class 3 with several that will go through to Open grade or higher. Going with Palladas ($4.60) over the other two fancies despite the tricky looking gate. Like how he went out on a high note last time (it was a bad race, but the win was important) and he trialled like a good horse in Open grade recently. Has shown himself not to be far short of stakes class so even though the distance/first up stats look poor, I think he’s very well placed. Arentee ($3.30) ran quick time/sectional in his Maiden win and gets a nice run on speed. Maybe The Best ($5.50) overcame difficulties to win first-up for this stable and extra trip suits.

Selections: 3 Palladas, 14 Arentee, 9 Maybe The Best

Palladas could be better than Class 3 grade. Picture: Trackside Photography

R7: QUEENSLAND GUINEAS (1600m)

Wide open. Coastwatch ($8.50) has the benchmark rating with his third in the Golden Rose last year. Hasn’t fired on wet ground his past two runs. Puts himself on speed here and gives a sight. Festival Dancer ($7) put four straight together last spring and now gets back to her pet trip after she ran well first-up comparative to the other runners behind the runaway winner. Character ($4.40) has to come back from the Derby, but will be strong at the end and his 1500/1850m form prior reads well. Bend The Knee ($4.60) turned in a tidy last-start effort on very wet ground and is another that can appreciate the firmer surface. Also including Cape Breton ($18) up to this trip.

Selections: 1 Coastwatch, 3 Bend The Knee, 2 Character, 15 Festival Dancer, 5 Cape Breton

R8: TAB VICTORY STAKES (1200m)

All revolves around Rothfire ($2.25). Anything like his 2yo/3yo form and he puts them to the sword. On the two runs last spring, he’s back in the pack. Looked the part in his trial and like the prep he’s been given into this. Just a matter of him now being able to respond when the pressure goes on in a race. Stablemate Startantes ($10) will be running on strongly. She can’t beat him if he’s on song, but if he folds, she’s as good as any. Baller ($8.50) will be the one stalking trying to apply the pressure. Runs well for sure. Count De Rupee ($6) was good last time and has a chance on that, but may want further?

Selections: 3 Rothfire, 6 Baller, 11 Startantes, 2 Count De Rupee

R9: CLASS 6 PLATE (1400m)

Go Wandji ($2.40) is the one going places and has the most upside, but this is easily his stiffest test, made tougher by the set weights. He should have won last time and in both runs back he’s done a phenomenal job to get as close as he did. But weights make it interesting. New Arrangement ($9) would meet him 7.5kg worse in a handicap and Blondeau ($7) 7kg worse. They are both sensationally placed in this race. Have to have something on New Arrangement at the price. He ran well under 60kg here last time and will let go quicker with this weight. Blondeau’s best ever performance was first up this time last year. Wary of him doing the same this time.

Selections: 11 New Arrangement, 5 Go Wandji, 8 Blondeau, 9 Bullfinch

AWAY FROM HOME

Mr Mozart (Hawkesbury, Race 7, $2.20) has revelled in wet ground his past couple and now strikes rivals that are no tougher. He can make it three on end. Najmaty (Hawkesbury, Race 5, $5) wound back the clock to win impressively first-up at Caulfield and looks well placed in a Benchmark race here if she can handle the conditions.