The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Flemington meeting

HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley says punters won’t have to wait long for his best of the day, with consistent mare Telopea to go around in the second race.

Del Prado will need the speed on so he can make the most of his powerful finish. Picture: Hamish Blair

HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley says punters won’t have to wait long for his best of the day, with consistent Darren Weir-trained mare Telopea to go around in the second race.

Race 1: Bay And Ranges Handicap (1400m)

Some impressive last start winners face off in this — CLIFF HANGER (2), COBBMORE (4) and CURVATURE (6). Hard to line-up the relative merits of the wins but CLIFF HANGER (2) was hugely impressive winning at Sale last start coming from last to win easily. He over-raced terribly here two starts ago this track and distance but blinkers went off last start. Stablemate Curvature showed talent earlier in the year against some smart horses and won easily last start at Geelong Synthetic. COBBMORE (4) strolled in last start at Pakenham Synthetic sprinting clear in the closing stages to win easily. Not a lot went right for KENEDNA (12) last start at Sandown when she finished third as she was held up for a run before finishing on nicely.

SUGGESTED BET: CLIFF HANGER THE WIN.

Race 2: Central Region Handicap (1400m)

TELOPEA (4) was anchored by her big weight at Sandown last start when she hit the front half way up the straight. After a 1.5kgs claim for Michael Dee will carry only 52.5kg, a 7.5kg drop on last start. She will also be suited by the likely good speed which will be set by DANESTROM (2). She too looks nicely in with 54kg after 2.5kg claim for Jake Bayliss. NIMINYPIMINY (6) just missed last start at Sandown behind the in-form Clemency. Likes this track and distance. ALL ABOUT RHYTHM (8) is a model of consistency. She was in the slower part of the track when she went forward and fought on for placing this track and distance last start.

SUGGESTED BET: TELOPEA THE WIN.

Race 3: Gippsland Region Handicap (1600m)

Two good chances in LANDSLIDE (11) and IRON SPIDER (12). Lightly raced Landslide fought hard to lead throughout to win at Sale narrowly last start over 1728m defeating MR PAGO (10). Oliver goes on Landslide and will take catching again. IRON SPIDER (12) was just beaten at the same meeting by Airalign and was unlucky as he was held up for a run. ELITE TIGER (6) is racing consistently. Was just beaten in a photo over 1400m at Flemington last start. WAS PIN YOUR HOPES (2) is racing consistently. Tried hard last start when attempted to run down TEMPS VOLEUR (1) at Sandown last start on a heavy track. Temps Voleur returned to form with all the way win a day after Robbie Laing had schooled him last start.

SUGGESTED BET: BACK LANDSLIDE AND IRON TIGER TO WIN.

Race 4: Goulburn Murray Handicap (1100m)

Sydney colt SPIETH (1) was brilliant winning last start at Rosehill sprinting home his last 600m in 33.45 seconds. He’s won three of his six starts and showed plenty of talent in Melbourne last spring. The horse he defeated last start KING’S TROOP (2) also is contesting this race. CHASE THE HORIZON (5) ended up in the slower part of the track last start when close-up fifth behind RICH CHARM (4) who sprinted home powerfully to win. LORD VON COSTA (9) looked set to win that before being run down. Interesting runner is the filly MAKE HER OWN WHEY (12) who has had two starts down the straight for two thirds including earlier this year behind Heatherly and Almighty Girl. CRYSTAL DREAMER (6) was impressive winning at Swan Hill last start and has been backed to win this.

SUGGESTED BET: SPIETH THE WIN.

Wet-tracker Del Prado salutes at Flemington last year. Picture: Hamish Blair

Race 5: Brian Beattie Handicap (1400m)

DEL PRADO (6) was held up for a key part in the straight last start but charged home for an unlucky second behind JACQUINOT BAY (1). Smaller field should alleviate traffic issues in this and likes it wet. He will need the speed on which could be a query though. BON ROCKET (8) tired in the closing stages when third at Sandown last start on heavy track. Winner this track and distance and will push forward. Jacquinot Bay had race won a long way out here last start and he’s capable of pushing forward as is the talented RHYTHM TO SPARE (2). BY THE GRACE (5) finished third in that race and he likes this track and distance but will also need the speed on.

SUGGESTED BET: DEL PRADO THE WIN.

Ben Thompson pilots Euro Angel to victory at Flemington earlier this month. Picture: Getty Images

Race 6: Western Otway Handicap (1600m)

EURO ANGEL (8) looked like a spring horse racing in winter when she strolled in first-up here last start over 1400m which took her record to two wins from three starts. Drawn out in gate 17 but will only carry 54kg after 3kg claim for Ben Thompson. WAR LEGEND (1) performed well in Adelaide before being freshened and winning last start at Sandown after taking the lead a long way out. Another filly PAYROLL (7) ran on strongly for third behind Euro Angel and step up to 1600m should suit. SHOCKAHOLIC (4) won at Flemington three starts ago and last start finished off nicely for close-up third at Sale behind older horses. GET THE PICTURE (2) is fitter for one run back from a spell and last spring ran well at Group level.

SUGGESTED BET: EURO ANGEL THE WIN.

Race 7: David Bourke Provincial Plate (1600m)

ROYAL RAPTURE’S (2) three runs since joining Darren Weir have been sound. Took over at the 1000m mark and only run down by the smart wet tracker Nesbo over 1600m at Sandown last start. AWARD OF MERIT (5) has won two of his last three starts in Adelaide. Lightly raced and appears to have potential. Safest bet would be AURUM SPIRIT (6) who drops down in weight and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. MAGIC CONSOL (4) was close-up in the Swan Hill Cup last start which reads well for this. LEVERACTION (1) led throughout to win over 1800m here last start which followed Echuca Cup win. Up five kilos but is in winning form.

SUGGESTED BET: ROYAL RAPTURE THE WIN.

Race 8: Wimmera & Murray Malee Handicap (2520m)

MASTER OF ARTS (6) couldn’t run down BOLD SNIPER (1) last start at Sandown. Took ground off him but was beaten on his merits. Since then he’s had two jumps trials including a win at Burrumbeet during the week. Bold Sniper turned things around with all the way win at Sandown last start. Now he’s found form could take beating again. UNGRATEFUL ELLEN (9) looks well placed but hasn’t started for 35 days. STREAMING BY (11) finished off strongly to win at midweek level at Sandown last start. Stablemates FALAGO (5) and GINGERBOY (10) also have claims.

SUGGESTED BET: MASTER OF ARTS THE WIN.

Race 9: Midwest Bellarine Handicap (1100m)

Adelaide sprinter HEART OF A LION (8) ran on strongly to win at Morphettville last start. Group 3 placegetter three starts ago. Likes it wet, has Oliver on and drawn out which is likely to suit. Three-year-old colt ODYSSEY MOON (15) looks well in on the weights. Ran on strongly for placing this track over 1200m two starts ago before gutsy win at Sandown on heavy track last start. Drops back from 1300m to 1100m which is the slight query. ALBERTO MAGIC (2) finished off nicely for third behind GENERAL TRUCE (3) over 1000m last start. Has a great wet track record. General Truce had race won a long way out when having his first start for Tony Vasil. Loves the straight. HARD ROMP (7) finished always races well down the straight.

SUGGESTED BET: HEART OF A LION EACH-WAY.

Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Flemington meeting