The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Caulfield meeting

HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race Caulfield card and suggests punters won’t have to wait long to taste success.

Charmed Harmony is a model of consistency and should figure prominently on Saturday. Picture: Colleen Petch

HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race Caulfield card and suggests punters won’t have to wait long to taste success, with his standout selection coming up in the second race.

RACE 1

MICK Kent’s stable is having a great run and his mare QUILATE (7) can keep it going. Two starts ago at Pakenham she finished second to subsequent Sandown winner Vandancer in a race where third placegetter was Zarsorceress who then was placed at Group 3 level in Sydney. Quilate followed that with a comfortable win over promising filly Mount Omei at Cranbourne. After three kilos claim for Jake Bayliss she will carry only 51 kilos. LAHQA (1) is a model of consistency who defeated some smart colts and geldings last start at Sandown. Again she will have the use of a two kilos claim from Dylan Dunn. SHE’S GOT SPEED (4) is another of Danny O’Brien’s Speed ‘n’ Power progeny who is racing well. She finished off nicely behind Bengal Cat for third at Caulfield last start. ANTELUCAN (2) is a talented filly who will be suited by step up to 1600m.

Suggested bet: Quilate each-way. Boxed exacta 1,4 and 7.

RACE 2

ZAHSPEED (7) will go forward and should dominate this race again. He’s aiming for four in a row and if anything seems to be getting better with each start. Has really clicked with Glen Boss who has ridden him to these wins. HARADAFULL (6) is a promising galloper who has really fired since joining Ciaron Maher’s stables winning five of eight starts since joining him. Looked awkwardly placed at Ballarat last start but in the finish sprinted home for an easy win. Three-year-old gelding TARQUIN (8) finished off nicely for third behind Bengal Cat at Caulfield last start over 1600m. First try at 2000m but shaping as if it will suit. FIREHOUSE ROCK (12) was no match for Adirondack last start in another good effort over this track and distance. SABKHAT (10) battled on nicely behind Red Bomber in stronger race last start at Caulfield.

Suggested bet: Zahspeed the win.

RACE 3

MY POPPETTE (2) is an above average filly resuming. She takes on the older horses and has to contend with a big weight and wide barrier but she has the talent to overcome this. First-up last campaign she finished fourth at Flemington behind three stakes horses in Petits Filous, Super Cash and Take Pride. She will be suited by the fast speed which TOOTHLESS (6) will set. He held on nicely for fifth this track and distance last start when the track was playing to swoopers. ORUJO (3) finished off nicely at Warwick Farm for second last start. At his best he’s a talented sprinter. MAGNAGEM (13) split two smart mares when second to Bella Capri this track/distance last start. Again carries a light-weight. SQUEAKY SQUIRREL (5) is racing consistently and has finished second at Caulfield.

Suggested bet: My Poppette the win.

RACE 4

She's Miss Devine winning on Caloundra Cup Day last year. Picture: Tara Croser

SHE’S MISS DEVINE (4) comfortably held off her in-form stablemate French Emotion to win her Melbourne debut over 1300m last start at Sandown. She’s perfectly drawn in 2 and should get a great on speed run. PRETTY POSSUM (9) is a speedy mare racing in good fashion. Not beaten far in stronger race here two starts ago before Adelaide placing last start. KAYJAY’S JOY (3) joined the Hayes/Dabernig stable last campaign and hit the ground running winning four of her first six starts for them. PINK PERFECTION (9) won first-up this track and distance on Boxing Day. ANDRASSY (8) resumed with impressive effort to win this track and distance. She may want longer. JAPHILS (7) will only carry 51 kilos and will take catching.

Suggested bet: She’s Miss Devine the win.

RACE 5

EPIC MOMENT (6) carries the Scandinavia blood and is related to Black Caviar. This $675,000 yearling looked sharp winning a jump-out at Caulfield recently. HIGHLAND BEAT (1) is one of the most experienced two-year-olds in racing but isn’t taking any harm from it as his last start win at Sandown showed. DISSOLUTE (4) finished off like a potential topliner when second to Valliano (4) this track and distance last start. Barrier one mightn’t help and he could be looking for longer. CURVATURE (3) was beaten by two smart horses at his first two starts including Valliano. FROMPARIS WITHLOVE (10) finished off strongly here last week after being blocked for a run in the straight. VANQUISH (8) is related to Sacred Kingdom and another debutante WANGAALA (11) jumped out in good style at Flemington.

Suggested bet: Epic Moment each-way.

RACE 6

Top class ex-Moody sprinter BASSETT (1) debuts for Mick Price. Loves Caulfield and after three kilos claim for Ben Allen looks well in with 57 kilos. Just beaten at Group 3 level fresh this track and distance three starts ago. AMADEUS (5) suffered his first defeat at the hands of smart filly Silent Sedition in the Bendigo Guineas. Freshened since. MURPHY’S REWARD (10) was impressive winning his debut at Benalla. DIVINE MR ARTIE (7) had little luck here last week. Another ex-Moody galloper TAN TAT CHARGER (6) is improving with racing having won his past two starts impressively.

Suggested bet: Bassett the win.

RACE 7

LOYALTY MAN (1) appeals as a gelding going places. Has gone forward and controlled his last two starts to win at Sandown. Last start he stepped up to 1600m and was strong on the line. Again is well drawn. RED ALTO (4) battled on for third and SILVER STRATUM (13) came from a long way back for fourth in the same race. Both should be suited by the 1800m. UNBREAKABLE (2) finished off nicely when second to the in-form Bengal Cat over 1600m. Step up to 1800m should suit. ZANDARRAL (5), SCANDAL SHEET (12) and COLLER BAY (15) each are showing staying potential.

Suggested bet: Loyalty Man the win.

RACE 8

Charmed Harmony has the credentials to get the job done here. Picture: Colleen Petch

Interesting race with two 1400m front running Caulfield specialists CHARMED HARMONY (1) and SISTINE DEMON (6) facing each other. Charmed Harmony is not as one dimensional as Sistine Demon and may just sit off him. He was just grabbed by Black Heart Bart in the Victoria Handicap this track and distance. Also he’s a model of consistency. A stint at Warrnambool seems to have rejuvenated Sistine Demon who was run down by Precious Gem this track and distance last start in best run for ages. ENQUARE (9) finished off well in that race from well back for third and should be suited by the speed. Interesting runner is ex Moody galloper HI WORLD (2) who makes his debut for the Freedmans. Finished first-up fifth in the Memsie Stakes this track and distance last preparation. FRESHWATER STORM (10) has a good fresh record at Caulfield and will be suited by the pace.

Suggested bet: Charmed Harmony the win.

RACE 9

MIHANY (4) has always shown talent but judging by his wins at his last two runs in South Australia he is now putting it together. ENTRE NOUS (1) tried hard when third in stronger race this track and distance last start behind Red Bomber. Carries same weight after three kilos claim for Ben Allen. MR PAGO (15) ran down a useful horse in Show A Star to win at Geelong last start. He possesses a fast finish and should be suited by the speed. MONTEUX (6) ran into a good horse in In The Mist in Adelaide last start. PLOT THE COURSE (7) is better than two runs this time in suggest.

Suggested bet: Mihany each-way.

Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Caulfield meeting