The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley previews Saturday’s meeting at Flemington

TAB BIG BETS: HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race card at Flemington on Saturday.

Flemington Races. Race 6 winner 'Play Master' with jockey Jye McNeil (Royal blue with gold V, chevron arm bands and cap, second from right). Picture: Jason Sammon

HERALD Sun form analyst Michael Manley looks at the nine-race card at Flemington on Saturday.

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RACE 1

AL SHAMEEL (5) is a son of Zabeel who has shown talent in his two starts. Sat wide but kept coming when close second in Adelaide to JACKSAY (4) last start. Meets him 3.5kg better after 2kg claim for Jordan Childs. Form has stood up in Melbourne from that race with third placegetter Mail It In running second to STARSI (2) at Caulfield. RED ALTO (9) was a slightly unlucky third in same race and blinkers go back on. GOLD SYMPHONY (3) tried hard when second behind the smart Jalan Jalan over 1200m at Flemington.

Suggested bet: Al Shameel each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Gold Symphony $5.50-$4.40 ($1,000 @ $5.50), Colonel Custer $12-$5 ($200 @ $12, $277 @ $10, $417 @ $7), Downhearted $41-$11 ($500 x $300 @ $15/$4.50, $300 x $200 @ $14/$4.25, Most Wanted $5.50-$6 ($100 e/w @ $6/$2.25, $400 @ $5.50).

RACE 2

Hard to see 1400m specialist CHARMED HARMONY’s (4) winning streak ending. Has won past two easily leading from outset, including last one this track and distance. His stablemate HENWOOD (7) is racing consistently. Danger could be DESERT JEUNEY (3) who’s two runs back from a spell. Group 1 placegetter last spring. IHTSAHYMN (2) makes debut for Patrick Payne and if he could find late 2013 form he’d take holding out.

Suggested bet: Charmed Harmony the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Charmed Harmony $1.90-$1.70 ($3,000 @ $1.90, $5,000 @ $1.75).

Charmed Harmony will be hard to beat again on Saturday.

RACE 3

Looks a clash between in-form mares SMOKIN’ AL (5) and HERSTORY (6). Herstory won with something in hand over 1400m at Flemington last start. Smokin’ Al followed her close-up third in the Leilani Series Final this track and distance with impressive win over 1200m at Sale where she sat wide. Interesting runner is Tasmanian mare AT THE WEEKEND (2) who is first-up. Goes well fresh.

Suggested bet: Herstory the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Herstory $3.40-$2.80 ($500 @ $3.20, $850 @ $2.90, $1,000 @ $2.80 TWICE).

RACE 4

ABBASSO (6) is racing in career best form and looks well placed to complete hat-trick. Sprinted home from midfield for easy win over 1600m at Flemington last start. Might prove too good again. BY THE GRACE (10) appeals as danger. Likes track and distance and last-start effort was close-up sixth in the Winter Championship Final. ONPICALO (4) hasn’t been far away in recent starts and will go forward and give a good sight. ALBONETTI (9) is smart mare who ran on nicely when she resumed for sixth behind Charmed Harmony. Step up to 1700m will suit.

Suggested bet: Abbasso the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Abbasoo $4.40-$3.30 ($500 @ $4.40, $220 @ $3.50).

Abbasso, right, is racing in career best form. Picture: Damian Shaw

RACE 5

Darren Weir’s pair of FALAGO (2) and REFULGENT (4) look best hopes. Falago sprinted home to win impressively here two starts ago over this track and distance. Dropped back to 1800m at Caulfield last start and ran on strongly for second. Refulgent was strong winner at Caulfield over 2000m. Despite being in work for a long time looked a picture of health. COMMANDING TIME (1) will go forward and should be in finish. Bagman had to fight off BLACK TOMAHAWK (8) here last start. PRIZUM (3) is finishing strongly and deserves change of luck.

Suggested bet: Falago the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Heavy $5-$4.60 ($1,000 @ $4.60, $500 @ $4.60).

RACE 6

FIREHOUSE ROCK (5) resumes here as a gelding. Has form around top-liners and ran well in a recent jumpout at Flemington. Races well first-up and has talent edge on rivals. SO DOES HE (8) is two from two since joining Shaun Mathrick’s stables. LIBERTY ISLAND (13) has been running on solidly. Has Oliver and barrier one in his favour. BEL SEAL (2) looked home last start at Geelong but was worried out of it. DEL PRADO (1) is good enough to win this.

Suggested bet: Firehouse Rock each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Firehouse Rock $8 unchanged ($200 @ $8 TWICE), 7 Shiraz $2.90-$2.20 ($1,500 @ $2.90, $600 @ $2.70, $599 @ $2.40, $2,001 @ $2.30, $2,000 @ $2.30, $1,000 @ $2.25), Churchill Dancer $26-$14, Antarctic Missile $11-$4.60 ($400 x $200 @ $11/$3.50, $600 @ $9.50, $250 e/w, Sentfromthestars $26-$18.

Firehouse Rock has a talent edge on his rivals. Picture: Colleen Petch

RACE 7

Underrated PLAY MASTER (6) was strong winning this track and distance last start beating in-form LONROCKSTAR (7) and Hard Romp. Also won this track and distance at this meeting last year where he recorded a faster time than Tiger Tees did when he won the Aurie’s Star. TRUST IN A GUST (1) is a dual Group 1 winner resuming. Has to give 6kg to his rivals but is class act. Should be wound up as his next run will be Memsie Stakes. SHIRAZ (3) is flying for Tony McEvoy, winning both of his starts impressively this time in. LE BONSIR (2) races well down straight. NADEEM LASS (8) and SMACKDOWN (9) have claims.

Suggested bet: Play Master each-way.

RACE 8

ANTARCTIC MISSILE (11) wasn’t suited by wet track when resuming at Bendigo but finished second. Explosive winner this track and distance in January before two unlucky runs here. After 2kg claim for Michael Dee will only carry 52kg. CORSICA LAD (7) was just beaten last start over 1000m by JUST FOR STARTERS (13) who had perfect ride. KLISHINA (4) finished third in strong race over 1100m here two starts ago before solid fifth to Miss Promiscuity in Sir John Monash Stakes. I AM THE GENERAL (9) was second to Supido over 1100m here last start.

Suggested bet: Antarctic Missile each-way.

RACE 9

Former French mare ITERATION (7) has performed well in her two Australian runs for a third and a second here. Held on well last start but no match for finishing burst of LILLY DAZZLER (6) over 1800m. MANAGERESS (12) produced fast closing sectionals to win over 1600m here two starts ago and was fast-finishing fourth at Caulfield last start behind Refulgent. KEPT WOMAN (11) is racing consistently and 2000m suits. FIRST BLOOM (4) won well at Moonee Valley last week.

Suggested bet: Iteration the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Iteration $7.50-$6-$4.60 ($200 @ $7.50, $500 e/w @ $6/$2.25, $340 @ $6), Kept Woman $11-$9 ($400 x $200 @ $11/$3.50, $100 e/w @ $9/$3).

Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley previews Saturday’s meeting at Flemington