Carnival Capers: Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries pick their winners for Brisbane’s month in the racing spotlight

BRISBANE’S month-long racing festival, the Winter Carnival, gets under way tomorrow. Out experts Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries run their eyes over each other’s form.

WARRNAMBOOL, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Trainer Ciaron Maher poses with Regina Coeli after winning Race 7 the Wheelie Waste Grand Annual Steeplechase during Grand Annual Day at Warrnambool Racing Club on May 7, 2015 in Warrnambool, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

NE: In something of an oddity, I understand you’ll be starting this year’s carnival in front, after backing Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Regina Coeli yesterday. You bugged Ciaron Maher throughout the carnival last year and haven’t wasted any time jumping on the bandwagon again.

BD: Yes, my mop-haired mate is one of the colourful characters of racing and he doesn’t mind a hearty celebration after winning a big race. Which makes me wonder what shape he will be in when he lobs in Brisbane today. Hopefully he will be bright eyed as I’ve got the Regina Coeli-Srikandi double going to pay for my wedding.

NE: I’m sure news of your engagement will disappoint your many thousands of female fans. Well you might have finally gained some stability in your personal life, but I note your punting is as loose as ever. Haven’t you tipped Sacred Star and not Srikandi in the BTC Cup?

BD: I seriously couldn’t split them but have tipped the Kiwi Sacred Star to my loyal following, as he is better odds and I can’t get his enormous run in last year’s Stradbroke out of my head.

I’m potting Our Boy Malachi but no doubt you are sticking to your boring formula of big-race favourites?

Trainer Tony Gollan. Picture: Jono Searle

NE: No, I am thinking Scissor Kick is a great gamble now he’s finally drawn a barrier in a big race. Our Boy Malachi is the danger no doubt. Luxbet are actually offering $51 about him winning all three sprints this winter.

BD: That’s about the same odds as you finding consecutive winners over the next month. I reckon Tony Gollan will strike a blow for the locals by having a huge day. I really like his powerful filly Traveston Girl and have tipped his roughies Tornado Miss, Alma’s Fury and Hijack Hussy all on top.

NE: Are you on the payroll at Gollan Racing? That makes a bird of Secret Saga given it’s about the only Gollan runner you haven’t tipped. Turning to the Doomben Cup, your old mate Moriarty makes a welcome return to Brisbane. Are you doubling up on the ill-fated kilt bet?

BD: The kilt has been burned. The Doomben Cup looks like a guess job to me, but as usual I’ve kept my ear to the ground and unearthed some track whispers. Good judges say Bohemian Lily is flying and will continue Gai Waterhouse’s Queensland momentum.

NE: Kiwi filly No Tricks is having her first Australian start in that race and should be hard to beat. Similarly, Roger James has a good opinion of Shees Flawless, who has been heavily backed to win the last, but I too am sticking with the locals in the shape of Miss Cover Girl

Originally published as Carnival Capers: Nathan Exelby and Ben Dorries pick their winners for Brisbane’s month in the racing spotlight