TAB On The Punt: Nathan Exelby previews the meeting at Doomben

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

BEST BETS

Seeingisbelieving R2 No.6 – $6

Stardome, R2 No7 – $4.20

Happy to back both of these in this race. Seeingisbelieving gets a 7kg swing on Seat Of Power, while Stardome drops to the limit after being anchored last week.

Andermatt, R8 No.4 – $7.50

Has been given a trial in blinkers, which he will wear here, since middling effort behind Isotope. Looked pretty sharp in the trial and this will be easier than his latest couple.

Skins, R9 No.15 – $2.40

He steps into unknown territory distance wise, but have plenty of faith in the trainer to get the placement right. This is just a very promising racehorse on his way to better things. He won’t spend a dime in the run and then it’s just up to Ryan Maloney to find clear running in the straight.

MONEY TALKS

Race 1: Tiger Heart $13-$4.80

Race 2: Stardome $5-$4.20

Race 4: Tardis $6-$5

Race 5: Constant Flight $10-$7.50

Race 6: Force Of Will $4.50-$3.90

Race 7: Miss Iano $13-$9.50, Hold The Line $7-$5.50

Race 8: Simply Fly $4.20-$4, Andermatt $8.50-$7.50

Race 9: Skins, Race 9, $2.60-$2.40

THE QUADDIE

R6: Princess Stakes (1630m)

Tycoon Evie ($2.70) steps back to 1600m now after dropping in trip and producing a brilliant display at Eagle Farm. Thinking this is her toughest test though, with a couple of Sydneysiders and a Kiwi thrown into the mix. That Kiwi is Force Of Will ($3.90), who arrives after taking on the 2000m Vinery in Sydney. She was never a threat there, but back to 1600m (where she is unbeaten up to G3 level at home), she looks very well placed here with Michael Rodd to ride off the good gate. Good Soize ($6.50) is a very promising filly. No doubt she will be better for this, but on an Oaks campaign, she can be ready to roll first up. Only Words ($7) needs luck from the draw, but looks the other hope.

Selections: 4 Force Of Will, 1 Tycoon Evie, 2 Good Soize, 5 Only Words

Miss Iano is good odds in her return at Doomben. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

R7: Benchmark 90 Handicap (1110m)

Toughest race of the day. Giving Miss Iano ($9.50) a chance at odds. She was solid enough over this course behind Racecourse Road, then not disgraced behind Athiri in stakes grade last prep. Cardiff ($6) had form around some serious horses 12 months ago. Blinkers off here and has the ability to figure. Stablemates Royal Witness ($7) and Maozi ($8.50) both have solid claims. Royal Witness is better suited back to 1110m here after a forgettable outing last time, while Maozi has trialled very well leading into this. Gee Tee Tee ($4.60) comes up favourite. I can’t back him at the price, but concede the first up run last prep behind Command’n’conquer, beating home Racecourse Road, stacks up solidly for this.

Selections: 5 Miss Iano, 13 Cardiff, 9 Maozi, 2 Royal Witness, 12 Gee Tee Tee

R8: Mick Dittman Plate (1110m)

Think Andermatt ($7.50) is very well placed here. James Cummings has gone for the blinkers back to this trip and gave him a trial in the shades to ready him for this race. No match for Isotope and co last time, but showed his class when not far off Wild Ruler two starts back. Needs some luck from the draw, but can see him finding his feet and then letting rip in the straight. Simply Fly ($4) continues to do just that. Super effort under 60.5kg last time and back to set weights suit. Barrier one not ideal? Lord Olympus ($5.50) comes off the same race as Andermatt and finished ahead of him. Kisukano was better last time but draw no help at all here.

Selections: 4 Andermatt, 3 Lord Olympus, 1 Simply Fly

The blinkers will go on Andermatt. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

R9: Benchmark 85 Handicap (1350m)

This race comes down to two things; Skins ($2.40) running out the 1350m and secondly, finding clear room in the straight. Happy to back David Vandyke getting the former right and Ryan Maloney being up to sorting out the latter. This is a very promising horse who just waltzed past his hapless rivals first up. Tougher opposition this time, but he’s running the times of a horse who will be winning better races. If he happens to falter, it opens right up. Sofie’s Gold Class ($23) and Guntantes ($17) appear as the two way over the odds. I would be taking one quaddie with Skins one-out and another at a smaller percentage with Sofie’s and Guntantes.

Selections: 15 Skins, 3 Sofie’s Gold Class, 9 Guntantes

AWAY FROM HOME

The Sires’ Produce has been the dominant source of winners for the Champagne Stakes for the past two decades, but perhaps the second and third horses this year were flattered by Anamoe being eased down? Don’t think their form is any superior to Converge ($6), who comes through the Fernhill. The most recent winner of that double was Prized Icon in 2016 and before that, Dracula (1998) and March Hare (1993). He was very good sitting behind the leader last week and sprinting quickly. Can see him doing similar here.

Originally published asDoomben tips: Gear change to sharpen Andermatt

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