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

Queensland racing expert Nathan Exelby says Godolphin star Trekking brings a class factor in his return to Brisbane for a third straight year.

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

BEST BETS

Get Stuck In, R3, No.2 – $3.50

He might have been a shade lucky to win on protest last time, but setting that aside, it was a career best first-up run. He loves the Eagle Farm surface and out to 1800m is an ideal progression for him second-up. Hoping he has a better turn of foot than So You Win.

Apendurada, R1, No.10 – $2.80

Race thins out with the scratching of stablemate East Asia. Has the capacity to sprint off a soft tempo and think he will be too powerful for these at the finish.

Mass Destruction, R4 No.1 – $5.50

Setanta, R4, No.6 – $4.40

Happy to back both to roll the favourite here, likely stalking her in the run. Mass Destruction comes back in class and gets a sweet run off the inside. Setanta won as he liked first go these parts and had good Victorian form prior.

MONEY TALKS

Eagle Farm

Race 2: Joymaker $5.50 $4.40

Race 6: Stellar Magic $5.50-$4.60, Miss Hipstar $5.50-$4.40

Race 7: Private Eye $3.40-$2.60

Race 8: Trekking $2.30-$2.10

Race 9: Fender, $2.50-$2.15

Hawkesbury

Race 3: Golden Gorge $6.50-$3.30

Race 5: Sweet Deal $4.60-$3.90

Race 6: Inanup $14-$8.50

Race 7: Ellsberg $2.50-$2

Race 8: Royal Celebration $4.60-$2.90

THE QUADDIE

R6: DALRELLO STAKES (1000M)

Ashema ($3.90) has some pretty imposing formlines for a race like this. Placings behind the super talented Acrobat and Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside at her first two starts speak volumes. Hasn’t really wanted to attack the line in three subsequent runs which is a worry, but just have to respect how well placed she is. Thought the best of the locals were Miss Hipstar ($4.40) and Refero ($8.50), but both are drawn to be in a bit of pain. If they don’t get the luck and the favourite comes up short, Military Gambler ($6.50) and Stellar Magic ($4.60), who both get gun runs, are hopes. Berdini’s Girl ($12) is another to entertain after good looking recent trial.

Selections: 6 Ashema, 7 Miss Hipstar, 5 Refero

R7: QUEENSLAND GUINEAS (1600M)

Apache Chase ($2.80) was back in the groove last start up to 1400m and he’s going to have a few of these off the bit and gasping when heads turn for home as he rolls along at a good clip in front. Don’t see any issue with the mile. It’s just a matter of the class factor. Given he ran so well over the summer against horses who have since gone south and performed with distinction, I think he’s up to these. Private Eye ($2.60) was good finishing off behind runaway winner Ellsberg at Randwick and looks ready for the mile now. Bucharest ($23) is interesting coming back from G1 assignments. Wouldn’t surprise if he’s a big improver. Holyfield ($8.50) a query. Did improve nicely to win second-up last prep.

Selections: 1 Apache Chase, 4 Private Eye, 2 Holyfield, 7 Bucharest

R8: VICTORY STAKES (1200M)

Trekking ($2.10) arrives for his third consecutive winter carnival. He’s proven on the Eagle Farm track and like how he’s been specifically set for the Brisbane sprints, as opposed to tacking onto the end of an autumn prep. Has been given two trials in readiness and given the Group 1 is only a fortnight away, he’s not going to be far off his top. With Master Jamie and The Odyssey to ensure a genuinely run race, it should set up beautifully for him. Fasika ($3.60) was back in winning form last start and is the logical danger, but I think Trekking is in a different class to her. Look for Emerald Kingdom ($9.50) and Vega One ($10) to run good races and put themselves in Stradbroke discussions.

Selections: 1 Trekking

R9: CLASS 6 PLATE (1200M)

This is a ripper race to finish the day and looks a great clash. Fender ($2.15) lived up to his trainer’s expectations when a mile too good first up at Doomben, but he wasn’t facing anything in the class of Garibaldi ($2.60) there. I’ve been tipping Garibaldi to make a splash at this carnival for some time and if that’s to be the case, he needs to put in here. The wide draw and giving away 4-5lengths to a talented horse like Fender is an obvious query, but on what we saw at his most recent start before the break, he’s up to the challenge. The others look like they are fighting for the minor end of the prize.

Selections:

3 Garibaldi, 2 Fender

AWAY FROM HOME

Was keen on the chances of Luvoir (Hawkesbury, R2 No.6 – $5.50) at Eagle Farm, but the Freedman camp has opted to stay closer to home and run in this race at Hawkesbury. Trialled brilliantly and then knocked over a talented three-year-old in the first up win. Looks set for best prep yet. Further south, Vowmaster (Sandown, R9 No.8 – $3.60) has been disappointing so far this prep, but out of luck last time and seemingly strikes a very suitable race.