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

The Kingsford-Smith Cup sets up nicely for Paulele, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Paulele gets the firm track he’s been craving at Eagle Farm. 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: True.

BEST BETS

Biscayne Bay, R1 No.2 – $11

Placed in the VRC Oaks and ran well in the ATC Oaks at only second run this prep on what was probably unsuitable ground. Firmer footing here, expecting her to charge at the end. Take the quinella with Barb Raider.

Hungry Heart, R3 No.2 – $4

Strikes firm ground for the first time since she ran very well in the Apollo first up. She’s very well graded here and is drawn to be close enough to the stablemate Bigboyroy when it matters.

Ranch Hand, R6 No.4 – $10

Totally dominant over this course last time and he may well have come of age now. Any luck from the draw and he’s terribly hard to hold out.

MONEY TALKS

R1: Barb Raider $3.80-$2.80

R2: Steel Prince $4-$3.50

R3: Hungry Heart $4.80-$4, Bigboyroy $4.20-$3.40

R6: Alpine Edge $15-$11, Startantes $6.50-$5.50

R7: Tycoonist $14-$8, Oscar Zulu $23-$8.50

R8: Dark Destroyer $4.50-$4

R9: Entriviere $6-$4.40, Brooklyn Hustle $26-$17, Najmaty $6-$4.80

THE QUADDIE

R7: BRC SPRINT (1300m)

As tough as it gets. Give best chances to Alligator Blood ($21), Soxagon ($6.50), Dawn Passage ($21), Tycoonist ($8), Oscar Zulu ($8.50) and Holyfield ($14). Inclined to be against Buffalo River ($7.50) and Taksu ($5) on the dry. Still could have missed the winner! Happy to back Dawn Passage. Good run at Rocky and might be better as a gelding. Just needs some luck from the draw. Tycoonist gets every chance from the draw, as does Soxagon, who was brilliant at the Gold Coast. Alligator Blood is a fascinating runner for the new stable. His trials this year have been outstanding. Oscar Zulu was luckless first up and we’ve seen him measure up in similar class here previously.

Selections: 9 Dawn Passage, 5 Soxagon, 11 Tycoonist, 1 Alligator Blood, 14 Holyfield, 13 Oscar Zulu.

Dawn Passage goes on top in a tough BRC Sprint. Picture: AAP

R8: QUEENSLAND DERBY (2400m)

Potentially the best horse is Pinarello ($8). Rivals from last time don’t look good on paper, but he beat them pointlessly and the shrewd stable are very happy with how well he’s done since being here. Expect him to roll forward and give himself every chance. Dark Destroyer ($4) and Paternal ($6) were both very good in the Rough Habit, clearing out and fighting out a real slugfest. Have to respect both on what we saw there. Southern Stock ($17) can be the one to add value to multiples. He will stay the trip while others are wilting. Tutukaka ($19) can be the big improver out of the Rough Habit. Ting Tong ($15) and Global Ausbred ($15) are knockouts.

Selections: 5 Pinarello, 2 Dark Destroyer, 12 Paternal

R9: KINGSFORD-SMITH CUP (1300m)

Prefer Paulele ($4.40) over Entriviere ($4.40) from the gates. Paulele seemingly gets the same run as last time, but no Mazu to gun down here. He also gets firm ground for the first time in a long time. Entriviere also gets the same run, which makes her task just as hard as last time. Isotope ($13) looks the big improver. Was never comfortable last time, but gets preferred conditions and worked brilliantly Tuesday morning. Rothfire ($17) can also run a race. He was solid in the 10,000 and firmer surface suits him too. September Run ($16) seems generously priced for a mare that won a G1 WFA race two starts back. Signore Fox ($21) goes into all multiples. He loves Eagle Farm!

Selections: 13 Paulele, 14 Isotope, 7 Rothfire, 11 September Run

R10: HELEN COUGHLAN STAKES (1200m)

Going to spec April Rain ($9) back to 1200m. Gets good speed on here and McDonald to ride. She was solid enough at the Gold Coast, but just hoping we see her show a turn of foot back on top of the ground. Written Beauty ($5) wound back the clock to win here last time against similar opposition. Gives away a start, but she’s obviously in good shape now. Babylon Berlin ($12) is better than we saw there. Vulpine ($9) comes off a good win, but task looks tough from the draw. Tycoon Evie ($34) is a knockout hope. Like her at 1200m fresh, as opposed to 1000m her last couple of first up runs.

Selections: 9 April Rain, 3 Written Beauty, 11 Tycoon Evie, 1 Babylon Berlin

AWAY FROM HOME

Amati (Randwick, Race 2, $7.50) is a $26 chance in J.J. Atkins betting and can trim up a shade further by making it two from two here. Extra trip looks like suiting. Khoekhoe (Caulfield, Race 9, $11) is worth something at the odds getting to a more suitable trip off a respectable first up run.