The Early Oil: Michael Manley looks at the Caulfield card

MOUNT Kilcoy looks extremely well placed at the 2000m journey at Caulfield on Saturday, according to leading Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley.

MOUNT Kilcoy looks extremely well placed at the 2000m journey at Caulfield on Saturday, according to leading Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley.

The three-year-old son of High Chaparral finished off strongly at Flemington last Saturday over 1600m when he left his run late, and the extra distance should prove decisive.

Manley has made the Darren Weir youngster his best for the day.

THE PUNT: WEEKEND SPORTS BETTING GUIDE

BEST BET

MOUNT KILCOY (R6, No. 3)

EARLY QUADDIE

2,3,4,5,6,7,11/9,10,11,13,14/3,7,14,15,16/3

$100 flexi for 57.14 per cent

VALUE BET

SOUL STAR (R2, No. 11)

BIG6

3,7,14,15,16/3/3/1,6/1,2,3,4,6,9,13/1,2,10,11,12,13,14

$100 flexi for 20.4 per cent

QUADDIE

Race 6: 1,3,4,

Race 7: 1,4,6

Race 8: 1,2,3,4,6,9,13

Race 9: 1,2,10,11,12,13,14

$100 flexi for 22.67 per cent

RACE 1: AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB HANDICAP (1400m) 11.35am

Two well bred impressive jump-out winners at Flemington on July 6 from leading stables RONAN’S ROCK (7) and BRUTAL (6) have been well backed to win. Lindsay Park’s Ronan’s Rock, who is by Fastnet Rock has the services of the red hot Craig Williams and has been $6 into $3.90 with TAB Fixed odds. The Hawkes teams Brutal has been $6 into $4.40. HUMMA HUMMA (1) from the in-form McArdle stable followed her excellent second in Adelaide with a strong run on effort to win first-up at Sandown Hillside. MYSTIC JOURNEY (2) won his first three starts in good company in Tasmania. It’s an open race as ZAIDIN (4), KAIPAKI (3) and TIDAL ROSE (10) have shown talent.

SUGGESTED BET: RONAN’S ROCK EACH-WAY

RACE 2: TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1100m) 12.10pm

SOUL STAR (11) finished ninth last start behind ZARPOYA (2) but was only beaten 1.75 lengths and was virtually held-up for a run for most of the straight. She showed nice talent over summer and has the services of you guessed it — C. Williams. JOSEPHINE SEA (4) finished on well for second in that race and will be better suited over 1200m as will third placegetter MISS NORWAY (3). BLONDIE (1) will be in it for a long way. MAGNESIUM ROSE (7) ran well over summer at Caulfield.

SUGGESTED BET: SOUL STAR EACH-WAY

RACE 3: #THERACES HANDICAP (1800m) 12.45pm

Former French galloper MANTASTIC (14) was slow to begin but charged home to be beaten in a photo by his stablemate Haripour over 1600m at Caulfield last start. Extra 100m will suit and he’s got a lot more upside than his rivals. DIVINE MR ARTIE (9) doesn’t win many races but worked home well when beaten a length over 1400m last start at Caulfield. GUIZOT (10) finished off in great style last start when third behind Silentz. RIB EYE (11) is also racing in consistent fashion without winning he finished fourth in the same race behind Wenner. PORTION CONTROL (13) is second and will only carry 52kgs after Fred Kersley’s two kilos claims. MR GUSTAVO (3) next best.

SUGGESTED BET: MANTASTIC THE WIN

RACE 4: SPRING ON SALE SPRINT (1100m) 1.20pm

Strange race with three of the best chances emergencies. DEMOLITION (16) ran on well last start for second at Moonee Valley behind Nordic Empire over 1200m and will be suited by the 1400m. Mick Price’s promising NETHERFIELD (15) races well fresh and has plenty of upside. BALLET MASTER (14) worked home well for third behind the runaway winner Barthelona over 1400m at Flemington last start. THE AVENGER (7) gave away a big start when he ran on to finish fourth last start at Rosehill Gardens. Stablemate WAYANKA (9) ran a better race last start when he sat wide and battled on well when seventh behind Wenner over 1400m at Caulfield.

SUGGESTED BET: DEMOLITION THE WIN

Rillito in cruise control at Caulfield two weeks ago. Picture: AAP

RACE 5: TAB REWARDS HANDICAP (1200m) 1.55pm

RILLITO (3) sat off the speed and recorded fast closing sectionals when easy winner this track and distance last start. She won by two lengths and she coasted to the line. Again there should be good speed which will suit her. DIVINE QUALITY (5) put together four consecutive seconds before being in the wrong part of the track at Flemington last start. She’ll finish off strongly. Tassie mare LIFE ON THE WIRE (1) put together five consecutive wins last campaign and won a Hobart trial recently.

HEAR THE CHANT (2) has been mixing her form but will push forward. MAMZELLE TESS (8) fought on well for third to Rillito last start.

SUGGESTED BET: RILLITO THE WIN

Mount Kilcoy breaks through for his first win at Sandown last month. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6: SYDNEY WEST APP HANDICAP (2000m) 2.30pm

MOUNT KILCOY (4) is shaping as a nice staying prospect. Finished on well for second last Saturday at Flemington behind Mr Money Bags over 1600m. 2000m will be ideal. MASCULINO (1) thrashed his rivals this track and distance last start careering away to win by three lengths. He’s up a kilo but is drawn out. Lindsay Park’s LEGALE (5) has won his past two starts impressively and has the services of Craig Williams. NOTHIN’ LEICA HIGH (10) hasn’t had much luck in his recent runs. JEDDAH AHEADAH (13) fought on for third placing behind Masculino last start.

SUGGESTED BET: MOUNT KILCOY THE WIN

RACE 7: WINTER STAKES (1400m) 3.10pm

Should be good speed in this which will play into the hands of the two best horses in the race, VOODOO LAD (1) and JUKEBOX (6). Jukebox won his first three starts before he finished second to smart fillies Catchy and Formality before he pulled up lame when he failed in the Coolmore Stakes. He’s looked sensational winning a Cranbourne trial in May and a recent Caulfield jump-out. Voodoo Lad has a great first-up record and loves Caulfield. He’s won his last two starts at Group 3 level which were both at Caulfield. ASHLOR (4) is fit and racing well and he shouldered 63kgs to win last start at Caulfield. INN KEEPER (5) has been the sprinting find of winter but will need it wet. CRYSTAL DREAMER (2) is suited in this grade.

SUGGESTED BET: JUKEBOX THE WIN

RACE 8: TAB.COM.AU HANDICAP (1200m) 3.50pm

STREET SHEIKH (9) was held up for a run in the straight when second to AL PASSEM (3) when he led throughout this track and distance last start. He meets him two kilos better. Al Passem was brave winning last start as he had to work early in the race. SNITZEPEG (2) finished sixth in that race but he went back from an outside draw and expect him to settle handier from barrier one. STREETS OF AVALON (13) sat wide in that race and finished on nicely for fourth. SUMMER SHAM (1) won at Group 2 level this track and distance last three starts ago in February. She finished a close-up sixth when first-up over 1100m behind Zarpoya at Caulfield.

SUGGESTED BET: STREET SHEIKH EACH-WAY

Barthelona salutes at Flemington last month. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 9: ATC OWNER BENEFITS CARD HANDICAP (1500m) 4.30pm

Even race with several chances. CALL ME HANDSOME (13) came from off the speed to finish second to Ashlor last start over 1100m at Caulfield. He was in great form before he was spelled winning three of his last four starts with his only defeat a second behind Peaceful State at Sandown. ONSLAUGHT (14) hasn’t started since he thrashed his rivals to win easily over 1300m at Sandown Hillside. BARTHELONA (10) is starting to live up to his early promise and he also had an easy win at his last start at Flemington. MALAISE (12) is racing consistently and will be suited by the speed. Patrick Payne has two tough old fashioned type horses at the top of the weights WIDGEE TURF (1) and CHAMOIS ROAD (2) who have strong claims. THEANSWERMYFRIEND (3) makes his debut for Darren Weir.

SUGGESTED BET: CALL ME HANDSOME EACH-WAY