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The Ex-Factor with Nathan Exelby - December 17

17 December 2021

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Well known Queensland media man Nathan Exelby is a constant at the track and has all the inside information as we head into another big weekend of racing in the Sunshine State.

 

MILLIONS DAY WILL BE A BIT CLEARER

THE Magic Millions 2YO Classic focus will be on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night when a number of very talented – untapped – youngsters line up over the 1000m trip.

It comprises a few that have already shown good talent on raceday and a couple of well-spruiked unraced horses.

Dan Bougoure is hoping for third time lucky with trial star BETTER GOLIGHTLY after she missed out on securing a start in last Saturday’s Calaway Gal.

She had been to the races previously but was a late scratching as a warm favourite after bolting on Michael Cahill going onto the track.

She’s safely in the field this week but draws gate nine.

ENZINA, for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, also missed out on a Calaway Gal start last week and heads further north for this race.

She had been well backed last week before missing out and will be popular off the inside draw for Jimmy Byrne.

PALAZZO SPIRIT made it two-from-two in last week’s Phelan Ready, but you can make a case to say the Brian and Daniel Guy-trained GOLDEN ARTIE should have beaten him on debut back in October.

Golden Artie has since trialled like a ‘bomb’, winning his heat over 900m by 4.5L in more than a second quicker than the other two-year-old heats in the session.

Better Golightly, Enzina and Golden Artie are all $51 in TAB’s MM 2YO Classic market at the moment but it’s certain one of them will trim up should they win this race.

WILD BOTANICA, who started a $10 chance in Coolangatta’s Gimcrack, also resumes in this race, while trial winner Mingle is another who will have admirers.

Check out the latest TAB markets here.

 

ROSE COLOURED GLASSES

THE MM Guineas market will also be given a nudge after the running of the Gold Edition Plate.

FAR TOO EASY is currently rated a $13 chance in the Guineas and has come up a narrow early favourite over RHAPSODY ROSE for the Gold Edition.

The horse given the tag of Queensland’s best maiden after his slashing first up run behind Far Too Easy, JACKSON ON TIME, is a $26 chance in the Guineas, along with ME ME LAGARDE.

Rhapsody Rose is a $51 Guineas chance but is well ahead of Me Me and Jackson in early betting on the Gold Edition.

She’s the one in this race I think is over the odds for the Gold Coast race. She’s already proven herself at 1400m, having carried a big weight to win easily at Eagle Farm in October, and she makes her own luck up on speed.

I expect her to be hard to get by in what shapes as a real highlight at Eagle Farm this weekend over the 1200m.

Don’t miss catch up episodes of The Playbook here.

 

FORM GETS STAMPE OF APPROVAL

CHRIS Munce is enjoying a nice little run at the moment and along with Rhapsody Rose, STAMPE gives him a strong hand at this week’s meet when he runs in the Lough Neagh Stakes (LR).

Stampe has been knocking on the door of a feature win for 12 months.

He was narrowly beaten in The Gateway last year and this summer he has been excellent in the Keith Noud, when beaten a short margin by TAMBO’S MATE, and then again when third to ZOUSTYLE and BALLER in the George Moore Stakes.

In the absence of that trio, the Lough Neagh opens up nicely for him.

He has drawn out, but he’s got the speed to go forward and offset that very quickly in a race that doesn’t have many other on-pace runners.

Hi big danger looks to be TUMBLER RIDGE, who was very good behind Tambo’s Mate in the Recognition Stakes last time out.

Like Stampe, he has no issue with Eagle Farm and they should have a good tussle up on the speed.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD continues his bid to regain some of his three-year-old glitz, being second-up in this race after finishing five lengths adrift of the winner in the George Moore.

Baylee Nothdurft picks up the ride in the absence of the injured Jimmy Orman and his supporters can point to the fact he’s won easily the two times he raced at Eagle Farm.

However, he was safely held in the George Moore – admittedly in a race where the speed shape was right against him – and he may still need more racing.

Check out the latest TAB Futures markets here.

 

A GODDESS FOR PUNTERS

THE Grand Prix is the main feature on Saturday, being run at G3 level for $250,000 in its third year of being transferred to the summer.

GYPSY GODDESS is at prohibitive odds to win again after overcoming difficulties to win the Eagle Way with ease.

Handling Eagle Farm looks to be her only possible stumbling block.

It could be a similar case to what happened in The Gateway last week.

The race lacked depth but was won by a very good horse.

Gypsy Goddess is a long way short of achieving what APACHE CHASE has done, but she’s going about it the right way.

She’s bred to be an Oaks filly, being by TARZINO, and David Vandyke has a lot to work with when he brings her back next year for those staying tests.

For now, she looks to have a G3 race at her mercy this weekend.

 

BEST BETS FOR EAGLE FARM

Purroni - R2, $5.50

Tamilaide - R3, $2.30

Stampe - R8, $6