TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Sunshine Coast

Palladas is a very short favourite at Sunshine Coast but still looks over the odds, says Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby. BEST BETS, VALUE

Palladas looks a good things early in the Sunshine Coast meeting. Picture: Trackside Photography

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

Track: Soft 5. Rail: True.

BEST BETS

Palladas, R2 No.5 – $1.50

Not the price for most people to get excited about, but to me he looks more like a $1.30 chance here. This race has no depth at all compared to what he’s been taking on.

Slow Hands, R5 No.2 – $7.50

He was backed into favouritism last time and it was a tough watch from start to finish. Don’t think this is any harder and he’s being served up at generous odds this time.

Buying Time, R7 No.7 – $4

Looks a little above average and he’s drawn to get every chance. Dominant winner last time over a horse proven in this class.

MONEY TALKS

Race 2: Palladas $1.55-$1.50

Race 3: Traduce $3.90-$3

Race 4: Military Gambler $9-$6.50, Canadian Dancer $4.80-$3.40

Race 5: Tamilaide $4-$3, Deep Sceiva $7-$5

Race 6: Dreamreacher $3.60-$2.90

Race 7: Osama $3.70 to $3.60 to $3.70

Race 9: Racecourse Road $8 (after deductions) to $4.20

Flemington

Race 7: Profiteer $16-$9.50, Nature Strip $2.40-$2.60

Explosive Quality is good value in the last at Sunshine Coast. Picture: Magic Millions

THE QUADDIE

R6: BENCHMARK 90 HANDICAP (1400m)

Ef Troop ($4) got the better of Roman Aureus ($4.40) last time, but doubt there’s much between them now they reach 1400m. Of the pair, have a slight leaning to Roman Aureus. Blinkers come off here and he gets the softest of run. Dreamreacher ($2.90) won from an impossible spot at Doomben and gets a little weight pull. Meets better opposition this time, so needs to do everything right. Enterprise Keren ($8) gets weight from them all and she’s the one I’m happy to back on current prices. Probably slower part of track last time and she ran well. 1400m is her pet trip, so tipping her to run on strongly again.

Selections: 8 Enterprise Keren, 2 Roman Aureus, 1 Ef Troop, 4 Dreamreacher

R7: QTIS 3YO HANDICAP (1000m)

Going with the O’Dea-Hoysted juggernaut to continue here with in-form Boris Thornton riding Buying Time ($4). He’s put two impressive wins together to start his career and last time out took care of The Rattlesnake ($14), who has been competitive in similar Saturday grade to this. Think he can go on with it. Zuma California ($3.10) is a talent who backed up the two wins at home when measuring up in a good race back in December. Giving Barisasista ($11) a hope at odds. She was sound in a hot race behind Me Me Lagarde when last seen. Mister Larabee ($9) on his home track can race well. A few other hopes, including Blackjack Boom, but the barrier makes this tougher.

Selections: 7 Buying Time, 5 Zuma California, 6 Baristasista, 4 Mister Larabee

R8: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1000m)

Tony Gollan has stacked the decks for this race, accepting with five and likely running four of them. Mischief Managed ($5) resumes from a bleeding enforced spell and has been given a soft trial. The runs before the bleed say she’s comfortably good enough to measure up here. Stablemate Shamrock Lu ($8.50) arrived in the nick of time over this course 21 days back and meets lesser opposition this time. Just needs some luck from the draw. Osamu ($3.70) switches stables after being gunned down late last time. Now back to 1000m? Spending My Time ($23) can race well at odds. He’s 5/7 over the trip and has run some good races in town. Plus, he’s yet to miss the place fresh.

Selections: 9 Mischief Managed, 6 Shamrock Lu, 10 Spending My Time, 3 Osamu

R9: ONE METRO WIN HANDICAP (1200m)

Race thins out with the scratchings. Racecourse Road ($4.60) trims right up from his opening quote on Wednesday. Skied the towel last time after being forced to race wide, but he can do that when things don’t go his way. Looks certain to get a sweet time of it on speed here and be hard to beat. He’s very well placed against this class of horse. Explosive Quality ($9) was good behind Mass Destruction here three weeks ago and this is a similar style of race. Keenest on that pair, but can also make a case for Bad Barista ($6) and Rock Amore ($9). Pennino ($4.80) is being shown plenty of respect by the market, but hasn’t won for a long time.

Selections: 14 Explosive Quality, 1 Racecourse Road, 13 Bad Barista, 9 Rock Amore

AWAY FROM HOME

Mr Brightside (Flemington, Race 8, $4) had a terrific spring all the way through to a great run in the Group 1. He draws out a touch, but can roll forward and find a spot. Nice starting spot for him. At Rosehill, Krone (Race 4, $5.50) looks well graded against this lot. Her Magic Millions run was very good under the weight and this race has less depth than that one.

Originally published as TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Sunshine Coast