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

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

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 26: Harry Coffey riding Signoff defeats Brad Rawiller riding Lidari (r) in Race 9, the Swettenham Stud Lord Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on December 26, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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

RACE 1

CLIMATE (7) looked a bit green but still finished off nicely for debut fourth behind Hell Of An Effort at Caulfield. Will benefit from that experience and blinkers go on first time. DOT PAINTING (4) also showed speed and battled on well for third in the same race. Well-bred first-starter from the Lindsay Park stables QUEEN MAGDALENE (9) showed good speed when narrow winner Flemington jump-out on December 30. South Australian visitor HEY DOC (1) was impressive winning his debut in Adelaide. Also raced greenly in the closing stages. BRINGAROO (2) bolted in at Geelong on Boxing Day. Last-start country winners have been a great form reference for next start in the city in the two-year-old races.

Suggested bet: Climate each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Hey Doc $4 — $3.80, Lessyd $9 — $11 — $8.50 ($500 @ $11), Climate $8 — $7.

RACE 2

MISS SOFTHANDS (5) has always promised to be an above average performer and two runs this time in for two comfortable wins suggest this is the campaign where she delivers the goods. Settled closer to the lead at Sandown than she usually does and had the race won a long way out. Expect Damien Oliver to reprise those tactics in a race where most like to settle back. WRITTEN (7) is sure to roll forward from her inside draw and is a winner this track and distance. French mare ITERATION (4) settled last in a recent jump-out and finished off strongly. First-up last campaign at her Australian debut she finished third this track and distance behind quality mares Jessy Belle and Miss Rose De Lago. BOUNDARY (8) wasn’t suited by slow tempo at Caulfield last start and is a winner this track and distance.

Suggested bet: Miss Softhands the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Dig A Pony $8.50 — $7.50.

RACE 3

LAHQA (4) has finished on well at her two runs this time in and step up to 1400m will suit. Has been racing against her own sex and takes on the boys but her third last start behind Magna Rossa over 1200m was in a fast time. 1.5 kilos claim from English apprentice Tom Marquand will come in handy. TWISTING TYPHOON (3) put in a huge performance at his last start when he came from last in a slowly run race to finish third at Moonee Valley over 1200m. NICCOCO (9) hasn’t had much luck in recent starts and also should be suited by step up to 1400m. TYRANNIZE (2) is better than his last start flop suggests. Team Williams’ PATTERN (5) was impressive winning his debut at Echuca.

Suggested bet: Lahqa each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Tyrannize $7 — $9.50 — $8 ($1250 e/w @ $9.50/$3), Twisting Typhoon $4.60 — $3.80 — $4 ($1000 @ $4.40), Lahqa $9 — $13 — $10 ($300 e/w @ $13/$3.82, $300 e/w @ $12/$3.58), Pattern $5.50 — $4 ($1000 @ $5.50), Niccoco $7 — $6.

RACE 4

FERRO NERO (8) produced fast closing sectionals to win last start at Sandown over 2100m, running his last 400m in 22.17 seconds, which was the fastest closing split for the day. Could be a classy stayer in the making and extra 400m should suit. With two kilos claim for Michael Dee will only carry 52 kilos. LEICA DAY (2) completed his hat-trick when successful over 2040m at Moonee Valley. Should be even better suited at this distance. LUCQUES (5) tried hard when fourth in the Bagot Handicap after being trapped wide. DANJEU (3) just failed to catch frontrunner Mujadale in the same race.

Suggested bet: Ferro Nero each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Leica Day $3.70 — $3.50 — $3.60 ($1000 @ $3.70), Quick Strike $5 — $6 — $5, Ferro Nero $8 — $6.

RACE 5

STAR STEALER (11) was disappointing last start at Moonee Valley when made up some ground for fourth behind Runsati but his previous form entitles him to another chance. His two placings over winter down the Flemington straight are still compelling references as he finished close thirds to Husson Eagle and Rough Justice. SMART DART (10) has won three of his past four starts in the country and finished second on the other occasion. LOCKROY (8) ran on well when first-up fifth at Randwick. Finished a close-up fifth in good race down the straight in winter. LIMINAL (4) also ran on well last start at Sandown behind Onerous. DUIBIO (15), BARCODE (12), and SIR MASK (9) all chances in an open race.

Suggested bet: Star Stealer each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Boomwaa $21 — $13, Liminal $13 — $11, Duibio $14 — $9 ($500 @ $11).

RACE 6

Flying filly THE BIG DANCE (3) should take catching. She will have taken enormous benefit from her first-up fourth over 1200m at Flemington carrying 60 kilos behind Magna Rossa. Led in fast run race and only tired in the last 150m. Drops four kilos and drop back to 1100m will suit. MOSSIN’ AROUND (12) finished second in the same race and blinkers go on first time. She also drops 3.5 kilos in weight. NSW colt HELLBENT (4) was just run down in the closing stages when second to Lady Sniper at Randwick. Three starts ago he finished third in the Brian Crowley Stakes to Counterattack, who then was placed in the Coolmore Stakes, a race Hellbent finished eighth. Brilliant colt GOLD SYMPHONY (1) won three of four and finished second on the other occasion over winter, including two Group 3 wins. ROCKY BOOMBOA (2) was brilliantly ridden to score by Oliver at Moonee Valley last start. Canberra colt BITBURG (5) has talent.

Suggested bet: The Big Dance each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Gold Symphony $4.60 — $4.20 — $4.50 ($1000 @ $4.60), The Big Dance $11 — $9, Hellbent $3 — $2.60 — $2.70, Beyond Purple $26 — $9 — $9.50.

NSW colt Hellbent has been well backed to win at Flemington. Picture: Mark Evans

RACE 7

SARAJEVO (7) didn’t have a lot of galloping room for most of the Standish Handicap and went to the line full of running when 2.3 lengths eighth behind Durendal. Shaping as if he needs 1400m. Also down in the weights, ZUPACHARGED (8) flew home for second in the same race. Has won over 1400m and is in career best form. NOELA’S CHOICE (6) ran on nicely also for fifth in the Standish. TRIED AND TIRED (2) also finished fourth in that race and was just beaten in this race last year. GENERAL GROOVE (5) finished on well for fifth in the Christmas Stakes.

Suggested bet: Sarajevo each-way.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Tried And Tired $5.50 — $4.80 ($500 @ $5.50), General Groove $15 — $10 ($450 @ $12), Sarajevo $3.80 — $3.40.

RACE 8

SIGNOFF (1) underlined he’s one of the best gallopers going around with a huge effort to win first-up over 1700m at Caulfield coming back from a 37-week break. Carries the same weight of 60 kilos after 1.5 kilos allowance for Harry Coffey. METAPHORICAL (4) finished on well for close-up third in the same race. For a 2000m race in January there is a bit of depth as Group 2 winner STAR ROLLING (2) also contests the race. His last three starts have produced fourths and he’s looking for 2000m. WARRIOR KING (11) didn’t get going last start at Caulfield but his previous form suggests he has the potential to mix it here. SECOND BULLET (8) was a strong winner this track and distance last start.

Suggested bet: Signoff the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Signoff $4 — $4.60 — $4.40 ($1500 @ $4.60), Golden Mane $21 — $15, Allergic $9 — $4.60 — $4.80.

RACE 9

ROUGH JUSTICE (2) proved too strong when narrow winner this track and distance last start, again proving he loves the straight. That was his first run for 42 days and should have derived improvement from that. BELESRON (5) rocketed home to just fail to catch him. DANGER CLOSE (4) finished off well behind him when 1.1 length sixth and drops two kilos. TANSY (7) had little luck in the same race when beaten less than a length. PINK PERFECTION (6) proved too good winning against her own sex over 1100m at Caulfield and is a winner this track and distance.

Suggested bet: Rough Justice the win.

TAB MARKET MOVERS: Nadeem Lass $31 — $18, Belesron $5.50 — $5, Pink Perfection $5.50 — $4.60.