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

IT really appears it could be Oregon’s Day after all on Saturday, with leading form analyst Michael Manley nominating him as his best bet at the Valley.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — OCTOBER 07: Hugh Bowman riding Winx after winning Race 5, Turnbull Stakes during Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington Racecourse on October 7, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

IT really appears it could be Oregon’s Day after all on Saturday, with leading form analyst Michael Manley nominating him as his best bet at the Valley.

Micky said it was a tremendous effort by Oregon’s Day to hang on and finish fifth at Caulfield last start after being trapped wide throughout. She loves the circuit and 1600m and also back to her own sex.

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BEST BET

OREGON’S DAY (R5, No. 6)

VALUE BET

SALSAMOR (R10, No. 3)

EARLY QUADDIE

1,2,6,9/1,2,3,7,8/2,5,6/1,3

$100 flexi for 83.33 per cent

BIG6

5,6/1/1,2,3,8/1,3,4,/10/8/1,3,9

$100 flexi for 104.16 per cent

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,2,3,6,8

Race 8: 1,3,4,10

Race 9: 8

Race 10: 1,3,9,10

$100 flexi for 125 per cent

Race 1: Inglis Banner (1000m) 12.10pm

LINDSAY Park have won both of the city two-year-old races this season and looks well placed to make it three from three. The well bred JAWWAAL (1) who is by Snitzel out of a half sister to Starspangledbanner finished off well when he won a Flemington jump-out recently. Their other runner GRAND CHALLENGE (1) finished off nicely at his debut when seventh to Qalifa at Caulfield and blinkers go on first time. Other first starters BIONICS (4) and FAROE (7) have shown talent in jump-outs. Sydney visitor SETSUNA (6) from the in-form Waterhouse/Bott stable showed speed and fought on well when close second in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick.

Suggested bet: Jawwaal each-way

Race 2: Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (955m) 12.40pm

Flying machine SIRBIBLE (3) resumes. He flies fresh and loves this track and distance. He demonstrated his class last campaign when he finished third in the Group 2 Australia Stakes over 1200m here. BADAJOZ (2) is in great with wins at his past two starts at Rosehill and Caulfield. He should get a nice run off the speed. ROCK N’ GOLD (4) likes the Valley and burst home from a seemingly impossible position to win at Cranbourne last start. DIAMOND OASIS (5) sat wide in that race and fought on well for fifth. He finished second in this race two years ago. GUN CASE (1) also likes the Valley and finished third in that Cranbourne race.

Suggested bet: Sirbible the win

Race 3: Phonewords Stakes (1200m) 1.15pm

Sydney colt SINGLE BULLET (1) is a consistent colt who has been racing well. He’s had two runs this time in for two seconds behind Viridine, the last one at Group 2 level. Last March he narrowly defeated DUCIMUS (2) to win the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill. Ducimus is having his first start for Mick Price and won a Cranbourne barrier trial recently over 800m. At his last start in August he finished fourth to Jukebox in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. ÉCLAIR SUNSHINE (3) has been erratic at his past two starts over 1400m at Caulfield but he hasn’t been disgraced. Queensland visitor EPTIMUM (9) raced greenly but still managed to win at Bendigo last start comfortably.

Suggested bet: Single Bullet the win

Race 4: Crockett Stakes (1200m) 1.50pm

Undefeated Godolphin filly DEMERARA (8) was impressive winning at her third start at Rosehill in a fast time with the big weight of 59.5kgs. Her stablemate JORDA (2) tried hard when placed behind runaway winner Invincible Star at Caulfield last start. LIMESTONE (1) hasn’t had much luck this campaign. Two starts ago she was going to go close to running a place in the Danehill Stakes when she fell close to the line. She then found 1400m too far last start at Caulfield. SANADAAT (7) is better than her last start failure at Caulfield suggests.

Suggested bet: Demerara the win

Oregon's Day fights out the finish with Highland Beat (left) in the Thoroughbred Club Cup in April. Picture: Getty Images

Race 5: Powerflo Solutions Stakes (1200m) 2.25pm

OREGON’S DAY (6) fought on in brave fashion last start at Caulfield when she was entitled to wave the white flag after racing wide throughout when fifth to Fast ‘ N’ Rocking over 1400m. Her last run this track and distance she easily won the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes and she seems to be in similar form. Chris Waller’s INVINCIBELLA (5) has won both of her starts this time in impressively. CONSOMMATEUR (2) finished on nicely when fifth behind I Am A Star this track and distance last start. She’s two from two second-up and if the track is playing to run on horses she should be in the finish. The former Argentinian and Dubai mare TAHANEE (7) has shown talent in two starts for Weir including last start fourth at Caulfield.

Suggested bet: Oregon’s Day the win

Brenton Avdulla and Big Duke combine to win at Royal Randwick on October 14. Picture: Getty Images

Race 6: Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) 3pm

BIG DUKE (1) is on his way to the Melbourne Cup and should add the Moonee Valley Cup to his collection. He’s had seven starts at 2400m or further for four wins and three placings where he had little luck each time. He was impressive winning the Sydney St Leger last start defeating the in-form Richard Freedman trained stayer AUVRAY (3). WHO SHOT THE BARMAN (5) finished second in this race last year and didn’t have a lot of luck when he tired in that race. LIBRAN (2) ran on for fifth in that race. CISMONTANE (7) should lead and run a cheeky race.

Suggested bet: Big Duke the win

Race 7: Fillies Classic (1600m) 3.35pm

BANISH (2) defied the track pattern to win at Cranbourne last start to sit wide off the speed and still finish over the top of her rivals when she defeated older mares over 1400m. 1600m should suit. Sydney visitor TOUCH OF MINK (8) is a grand daughter of Makybe Diva and she finished off strongly for fifth over 1400m at Randwick last start. 1600m should suit. Adelaide visitor GLAM GURU (3) should lead. She fought on nicely when second to Savaheat over 1800m at Morphettville last start. I’LL HAVE A BIT (1) battled on well after having had a wide run when sixth in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.

Suggested bet: Banish the win

Race 8: Crystal Mile (1600m) 4.10pm

BURNING FRONT (3) backs up a week after his courageous effort to finish second in the Moonga Stakes where he had little respite at any stage. He’s had five starts at Moonee Valley for three wins and a second. It’s not going to be a place for faint hearted as the speed will be on throughout with RELIGIFY (4) and JUNGLE EDGE (5) also pushing forward. Religify fought on bravely when just grabbed by Fast ‘n’ Rocking over 1400m at Caulfield. IT’S SOMEWHAT (1) wasn’t far away in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He has a touch of class and the step up to 1600m and weight-for-age suit him. LUCKY HUSSLER (2) had little luck last start and is worth another chance.

Suggested bet: Burning Front each-way

Race 9: Cox Plate (2040m) 5pm

Sit back and enjoy the moment as WINX (8) becomes only the second horse to win three Cox Plates. She won this race in 2015 by almost five lengths, eight lengths last year and she doesn’t look to have gone backwards. The main interest will be her winning margin and who will finish second. The unknown factor is three-year-old colt ROYAL SYMPHONY (9) who was luckless in the Caulfield Guineas. Sprinted home strongly after he struck trouble and 2040m should suit. GAILO CHOP (2) has been set for this and was strong winning the Caulfield Stakes last start where he took the lead a long way out. Sydney galloper HAPPY CLAPPER (1) is racing in great fashion. Godolphin’s FOLKSWOOD (5) won the Cranbourne Cup impressively at his Australian debut.

Suggested bet: Winx to defeat Royal Symphony in an exacta.

Race 10: The Vase (2040m) 5.45pm

SALSAMOR (3) ran on well in the Caulfield Guineas after sitting wide. The step up to 2040m will be ideal for him. Also he’s drawn out which will also suit, ALOISIA (9) had all the favours but still sprinted home strongly to win the Thousand Guineas and become a short priced favourite for the Oaks. CLIFF’S EDGE (1) is racing in great fashion. VIN DE FRANCE (5) should also be suited by 2000m. Maiden FOUR KOALAS (10) was knocked over in the straight at Seymour last start but recovered to finish second, running her last 200m in 11.48 seconds which was the second fastest for the day.

Suggested bet: Salsamor each-way