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

Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby is giving a former Victorian mare another chance at Eagle Farm. BEST BETS, QUADDIE

Melisma is having her third Queensland start. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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

Track: Good 4. Rail: +7m.

BEST BETS

Dreamreacher, R3 No.1 – $2.50

He’s having a super campaign and really attacking the line, so up to 1600m at a track he’s proven at looks no issue.

Euro Belle, R4 No.6 – $6.50

Stablemate to Dreamreacher who is going well but having little luck. Needs it from a wide draw here, but think she drops back into a weaker race this time and she handles Eagle Farm.

Sweet Margot May, R6 No.5 – $8

Heavily backed to beat older horses last time and though not quite up to it, ran well. Now comes back to a lesser race against her own age. Looks over the odds.

MONEY TALKS

Race 3: Dreamreacher $2.70-$2.50

Race 4: Euro Belle $12-$6.50, Menazzi $4-$3.80

Race 5: Southern Stock $9-$6.50

Race 6: Mister Larrabee $8.50-$5.50

Race 7: Osamu $4-$3.40

Race 8: Contemptuous $4-$3.40

Race 9: Rock Amore $8-$4

Flemington

Race 6: Lost And Running $5-$3.80, Swat’s That $31-$16

Race 8: Kissonforallcheeks $6-$3.90

Dreamreacher is going for a hat-trick of wins. Picture: AAP

THE QUADDIE

R6: QTIS 3YO HANDICAP (1300m)

Sweet Margot May ($8) switches stables and finds herself 42 days between runs. Also accepted for the 1000m but Rob Heathcote goes for the 1300m. Suspect the softer tempo can suit her. She was brilliant winning at Ballina prior and the fact punters happily backed her into a super skinny quote against older horses last time says a bit about her talent. Legal Esprit ($5) backs up after finding the line steadily last week at 1100m. Think he can handle the trip now and he has a liking for Eagle Farm. A Call From Heaven ($5) brushed off the Maiden status last time and is a hope again, but needs to step up another cog. Same story with Good Bean ($5.50).

Selections: 5 Sweet Margot May, 1 Legal Esprit, 6 A Call From Heaven

R7: CLASS 3 PLATE (1000m)

Melisma ($6.50) impressed winning first-up in slick time, then probably got into the wrong part of the track when she stayed on the inside at Doomben 28 days back. Of all the chances here, she’s the one drawn to get a sweet run up near the speed, so I’m giving her another chance. Osamu ($3.40) doesn’t win many, but he was very good in two Queensland runs last month, the latter with zero luck. Getting onto the bigger track can be a help for him and he will be strong to the line. Aidensfield ($6) might find 1000m a touch slick, but she has a real touch of class. The trial win at Deagon was good! Vaporizing ($5.50) also trialled well.

Selections: 14 Melisma, 4 Osamu, 9 Aidensfield, 3 Vaporizing

R8: OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)

Contemptuous ($3.30) had a terrific prep last time around, winning three straight after being a touch unlucky first-up behind Tramonto. He meets both Gogol and Sir Rocket better at the weights for having beaten them at Doomben last October. Recent trial he showed speed then had a few pass him in the latter stages, but not reading too much into it. Market will tell us where he’s at, but he looks clear top. Gogol ($5.50) just didn’t have any zip last week at Toowoomba, but previous two wins were very good. Onto a bigger track, he presents as the main danger here. Sir Rocket ($4.20) next best, but he’s had a long campaign and this isn’t any easier than the race he contested last time.

Selections: 6 Contemptuous, 4 Gogol, 5 Sir Rocket

R9: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1400m)

Think one of Rock Amore ($4) or Caffrey ($5.50) wins this race. Rock Amore was very good first-up at Caloundra, running on solidly right at the end. Was a winner second-up last prep and he also showed a real liking for Eagle Farm during that campaign. He’s drawn to enjoy a nice run not too far from the speed and be very hard to beat. Caffrey was luckless at the Sunshine Coast first-up, then ran well again last time at Doomben. Logically the bigger track should suit better, so if he handles the surface, he’s the big danger. There’s quite a few fringe hopes and value runners for multiples after that, but confident the winner comes from that pair.

Selections: 4 Rock Amore, 17 Caffrey

AWAY FROM HOME

Not sure Espiona was comfortable on the heavy track last time, so finding it hard to get her so short in the Coolmore. Expat (Rosehill, Race 7, $7.50) looks a better play at the odds, with proven wet track form and an excellent lead-up. Down south, think Lost And Running (Flemington, Race 6, $3.90) can upstage the three-year-old Home Affairs in the Newmarket. He was awesome first up under the big weight.