Nathan Exelby tips: Doomben best bets, quaddie, TAB On The Punt

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

Track: Soft 5. Rail: +3m.

BEST BETS

Nettuno/Knight Mariner, R1 and R2 – $3.30 (combined)

Nettuno looks a genuine $1.20 pop, so the $1.50 looks generous. Knight Mariner hasn’t had the best of luck, but looks well set up here. Happy to combine the pair to kickstart the day.

Coco Rox, R5 No.4 – $4

Strong at end of 1400m on debut, then things didn’t pan out at Eagle Farm. Like her up to this trip and getting a very soft run from the good gate with no weight on her back.

Teranga, R3 No.10 – $6.50

Draws to get a beautiful run up near the speed and she has trialled brilliantly in Sydney leading into this. Position in running hopefully gives her an edge over Putontheredlight.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Flop Turn River $10-$6

Race 2: Get The Idea $5-$4.40

Race 4: Sayl $4.20-$2.60

Race 5: Joyous Legend $7-$5.50, Coco Rox $8-$4

Race 6: Snitzify $5-$3.70

Race 7: Go Wandji $3-$2.60

Race 9: Cardiff $15-$12, Smart Image $3.40-$2.90

Randwick

Race 8: Verry Elleegant $3.50-$3

Race 9: Colette $4.50-$3.90

THE QUADDIE

R6: BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (1350m)

Snitzify ($3.70) is a good place to start. Looked under siege turning, but picked up again and was strong on the line last time. Expect him to cross into a nice spot near the speed and give a big sight. Avowal ($9.50) had to make a long run last week and just peaked on his run in the last 200m. Drawn to get it soft here and with a likely genuine tempo, he’s very capable of hitting the line hard. Rock Amore ($14) has been down the track his past couple, but has had excuses. The run at Caloundra first-up would make him top pick for this, so I’m wary of him bouncing back at bigger odds this time.

Selections: 9 Avowal, 12 Snitzify, 5 Rock Amore

R7: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200m)

Go Wandji ($2.60) will be all the rage. He was scratched from a 1350m race a fortnight back because of the wet track, so now finds himself 35 days between runs. He’s going to give away a big start and pattern of the day will be relevant to him, but no doubt he’s the best horse and the one destined for better races. Just doesn’t need to be finding bad luck back in the field. Aidensfield ($5.50) was a costly defeat last time when blown off the park by Smart Image. She should be in front of Go Wandji in the run and get her chance to beat him. The race is wide open after that, but think one of that pair wins.

Selections: 12 Aidensfield, 9 Go Wandji

R8: OPEN QUALITY HANDICAP (1350m)

Think Snitch ($13) is a really good gamble at the odds currently being served up. He was a stakes winner last prep and now finds himself in an off-season Open Handicap with 54kg. First-up run was just fine and he always improves big time second-up. He’s twice a winner over the 1350m here and is drawn to get the right run. Stablemates Vinco ($5) and Ulysses ($4.80) come off solid enough last-start wins and have hopes. Vinco’s inside draw could be an issue, because he will be back in the field. Ulysses will be closer to the speed. Dreamreacher ($5) comes back to 1350m and is sure to be strong late, but how much start does he give away?

Selections: 11 Snitch, 12 Vinco, 15 Ulysses

R9: CLASS 6 HANDICAP (1200m)

Smart Image ($2.90) produced an eye-popping performance here a fortnight ago, coming from the back and putting his rivals away in two strides. Faces a bigger field here (10 last time vs likely 16 here) so it won’t be easy, but if he manages to reproduce a similar burst, he’s going to be hard to hold out. Giving chances at odds to Big Bad Bruce ($17) and Montenegro Man ($19). Bruce went amiss at Toowoomba, but has trialled okay since and loves Doomben. Montenegro Man is racing very well and like him back to 1200m here. Both drawn nicely and expecting them to be well ahead of the favourite in the run. Rhythmic Pulse ($18) next best off a Canterbury night win.

Selections: 10 Smart Image, 7 Big Bad Bruce, 5 Montenegro Man

AWAY FROM HOME

Happy to back both Crystal Pegasus ($6.50) and Le Baol ($41) in a wide-open Sydney Cup (Randwick, Race 7). Crystal Pegasus made Pondus look 2nd rate at Mornington and keeps lifting the bar. Le Baol battled on strongly two starts back, then was just one paced staying at 2000m last time. Think he’s way over the odds given the way his prep has come along. In the ATC Oaks (Randwick, Race 6), the Queenslander Gypsy Goddess ($4.20) can prove the superior stayer. The 1850m didn’t suit last time and she will relish 2400m.