Early Oil: Best bets and preview for Flemington on Saturday

A promising import can post back-to-back wins while a Ciaron Maher-trained galloper could improve on a pleasing first-up run at Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

Deakin can continue his rapid development when he heads to Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters takes an early look at Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

BEST BET

DEAKIN (Race 8, No. 15)

Promising import that won in fine style at Pakenham second-up. He’ll be fitter and should be hard to hold out again.

VALUE BET

LETHAL THOUGHTS (Race 9, No. 10)

Lethal Thoughts closed well in a good first-up effort at Geelong. Expecting him to make the required improvement second-up.

EARLY QUADDIE

1, 2, 6, 7/1, 5, 7, 8/1, 2, 6, 8, 12/1, 4

$100 flexi for 62.5 per cent

QUADDIE

Race 7: 4, 5, 7, 8

Race 8: 2, 10, 15

Race 9: 5, 7, 8, 10

Race 10: 4, 12, 14, 19

$100 flexi for 52 per cent

BIG 6

1, 2, 6, 8, 12/1, 4/4, 5, 7, 8/2, 10, 15/5, 7, 8, 10/4, 12, 14, 19

$100 flexi for 5.2 per cent

MULTI

Race 6 No. 1 – Veloce Carro (win)

Race 7 No. 8 – Spring Air (place)

Odds – $19.50

Wings Of Song can post a second straight win when she tackles a small field at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 1: 12.15PM TAB WE’RE ON (1600m)

Small field to start the day but WINGS OF SONG (4) looks suited again and can make it two in a row here. POSITIVITY (2) resumes after running in the Melbourne Cup but has jumped out well and is a talented mare. MUNHAMEK (1) ran on well over 1400m second-up and drops in class for this. MARBLE ARCH (3) is racing well and should be thereabouts again.

SUGGESTED BET: Wings Of Song to win.

MARKET MOVER: Mollynickers $4.40 – $3.70.

RACE 2: 12.45PM VRC PUNTERS CLUB SPRINT (1000m)

Tricky two-year-old race but ETHEREUM GIRL (8) has trialled well leading up to her debut and has the benefit of barrier one, which is an advantage for the babies. CAVALRY GIRL (3) tried hard on debut at Geelong and will be better for it. HOT WHISKERS (4) impressed at Mornington on debut. EDEN ROSE (6) went well from a tough draw on debut in the spring.

SUGGESTED BET: Ethereum Girl to win.

MARKET MOVER: Eden Rose $9 – $6.50.

RACE 3: 1.20PM HOWDEN AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS DAY, 1 MARCH (1600m)

ZORRO’S FLIGHT (2) backs up seven days after an impressive Flemington win and should thrive over 1600m. CENTENNIAL PARK (1) is racing in great heart and will be hard to beat again. GARNACHO (6) is a developing type that won’t be far away again while MRS ARTIE (7) is an improver worth including again.

SUGGESTED BET: Back both Zorro’s Flight and Centennial Park.

MARKET MOVER: Tomba $4.40 – $3.40.

Zorro's Flight can complete a hat trick of wins when the three-year-old returns to Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 4: 1.55PM BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING RACE DAY, 15 FEBRUARY (1100m)

SAMANGU (5) has impressed going through her grades this time in and can make it four in a row. DAZZLING LUCY (7) was unlucky when resuming at Caulfield and has won a couple second-up. LUNA CAT (1) will be fitter for two promising runs this time in. MIGHTY (8) was solid over 1000m at The Valley and looks suited over 1100m.

SUGGESTED BET: Box trifecta 1, 5, 7, 8.

MARKET MOVER: Samangu $2.90 – $2.50.

RACE 5: 2.30PM VRC SUMMER FUN SPRINT (1200m)

Another difficult race but SNIPPETY LEGEND (12) could be over the odds after three sound outings this time in. ENNA’S DREAM (8) chased well at Cranbourne and won’t be far away again in this. ZOUPURRING (6) went down narrowly at Cranbourne first-up and has a good second-up record. WOLFY (2) has been freshened since his last run but will be strong late.

SUGGESTED BET: Snippety Legend each-way.

MARKET MOVER: Better Kick $41 – $23.

RACE 6: 3.05PM VRC SUPER SATURDAY, 8 MARCH (1200m)

VELOCE CARRO (1) won down the straight first-up last time in and he has impressed in his recent jumpouts. MAJOR SHARE (4) is flying and has earned a chance at this level. LOUNGE BAR RUBI (3) will be better over further but his jumpouts indicate he has come back well. LEGIO TEN (7) races well first-up and like the Flemington straight course.

SUGGESTED BET: Veloce Carro to win.

MARKET MOVER: Major Share $3.50 – $3.30.

RACE 7: 3.40PM BE A MATE, NOMINATE TROPHY (1100m)

Good three-year-old fillies’ race but SPRING AIR (8) showed ability last time in and has won both jumpouts in good fashion. LA VIE EN (7) impressed with his first-up win and could improve on that. MISS COTOLETTA (4) ran on well from a bad barrier at The Valley first-up and is a second-up winner. RELUCTANTLYCHARMED (5) is racing well and should again be thereabouts.

SUGGESTED BET: Spring Air each-way.

MARKET MOVER: La Vie En $4.80 – $4.20.

Revelare can overcome a wide gate when the talented prospect steps out at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 8: 4.15PM TAB AUSTRALIAN CUP RACE DAY, 29 MARCH (2000m)

DEAKIN (15) is an exciting import that won well at Pakenham and should handle the rise in class with the aid of a 7kg weight drop. BANKERS CHOICE (2) surprised with his win at The Valley and can perform strongly again. ARUGAMAMA (10) is racing well in Adelaide and could measure up. FAME (4) will be better for two runs back from a long spell.

SUGGESTED BET: Deakin to win.

MARKET MOVER: Deakin $2.90 – $2.80.

RACE 9: 4.55PM FLEMINGTON RACING SPECTACULAR 1-29 MARCH (1400m)

Another big field but LETHAL THOUGHTS (10) can improve on a strong-finishing effort at Geelong first-up. PAL D’ORO (5) wasn’t far away at Pakenham last time and races well over this distance. IS IT ME (8) is likely to give a start but should be running on well again. BRAZEN LADY (7) is consistent and drops back from Listed level for this.

SUGGESTED BET: Lethal Thoughts each-way.

MARKET MOVER: Verdad $5.50 – $4.80.

RACE 10: 5.35PM INSIDE RUN HANDICAP (1800m)

Tough race to finish but REVELARE (14) was most impressive in his second-up win and could overcome a tricky gate here. BROOKLYN BOSS (19) had no luck at The Valley second-up and will be fitter again. DREAM ALL DAY (12) is racing in great form and should again have every chance. SHINY NEW DEEL (4) is up in grade but will be fitter for his last-start win at Sale.

SUGGESTED BET: Revelare to win with a saver on Brooklyn Boss.

MARKET MOVER: Blissfull Lady $18 – $13.

Originally published as Early Oil: Best bets and preview for Flemington on Saturday