The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Matt Stewart gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Caulfield meeting

HERALD Sun racing writer Matt Stewart looks at the nine-race Caulfield card and points punters in the direction of Ability in the seventh race as his best.

Racing returns to Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

HERALD Sun racing writer Matt Stewart looks at the nine-race Caulfield card and points punters in the direction of Ability in the seventh race as his best.

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Race one: Racing Photos Handicap (2000m)

RAW IMPULSE (5) is a good thing. Simply too classy, too much upside. May even be a serious Melbourne Cup prospect. Both wins this prep super, showing great turn of foot. Would probably like to see him a tad closer to the speed as he steps to 2000m. Value exacta horse might be BAJOUR (8), who steps second-up to a suitable trip after a real eye-catcher first-up. The rest are pretty much hurdlers, bar SPUR ON GOLD (9), who let down nicely last start. DOCTOR CARE (1) and GINGER BOY (4) will be thereabouts.

SUGGESTED BET: Exacta 5/8.

Race two: Phil Sly Memorial (1100m)

VERY tricky. None of the raced brigade is outstanding and there are some nice pedigrees/strong stables among the unraced. One or two have also gone OK at the trials, eg RIDGWAY (6) and PEDRENA (10). Hard to split the two Hayes/Dabernig runners BLUE TYCOON (1) and BRINGAROO (2), although have liked the progression of Bringaroo at each run to date. Might have a little more scope than Blue Tycoon, although nothing wrong with his formlines (eg Samara Dancer). Big watch beautifully bred Freedman debutante ROCK GISELLE (11).

SUGGESTED BET: Nil.

Race three: Arvanitis Philanthropy Plate (1200m)

A LOTTA LOVE (4) is clearly the one to beat. Deadheated with subsequent impressive Caulfield winner Mefnooda second-up in deceptive photo finish. Good draw, fitter, the one. Reckon ELLE EXCITE (8) will run well fresh after two solid trials. Flies fresh. SHADES OF BELLA (7) was good on the wet at Warrnambool and fitter. Mick Kent is flying and DANESTROEM (1) has won a trial leading into this. KHUTULUN (3) is classy, well drawn and goes well fresh. Claim appeals. JAPHILS (5) was disappointing when fancied last start. Fitter?

SUGGESTED BET: The win No 4.

Race four: Comdain Handicap (1400m)

Stick with the A-grade Abbey Marie formline via LYUBA (1) and FRANCAIS (5). Lyuba was no match for deadest star Abbey Marie last start but that filly went on to win the SA Oaks brilliantly and is unbeaten. Lyuba is only small so the 3kg claim helps. Francais hit the line strongly when third to Abbey Marie and Lyuba here last start. Next best MILES OF KRISHNAN (9), WEATHER THE STORM (10) and JOCASTA (12).

SUGGESTED BET: Take Nos 1 and 5 in quaddie.

Race five: Peter Jackson Handicap (1400m)

Nightmare. VOLCANIC ASH (1) still has stacks of weight after Allen’s 3kg claim and also has a pesky gate to deal with. The class runner however. BASCULE (4) who had good support last time but may have needed the run. SHOW A STAR (7) was very good when resuming and will be better here. Chances also to ANY DREAM WILL DO (9), SHINTARO (10) and TURFANE (14).

SUGGESTED BET: Nil.

Race six: The Jericho Cup in 2018 Handicap (2000m)

He’s a bit of a run on bluffer but RED ALTO (3) shouldn’t miss each-way. The key is fitness and a step to the right distance in a race that should generate a solid tempo. Drawn to get all the favours, too. UNBREAKABLE (1) has good barrier and claim after a solid on-pace 1800m win here last start. Would have tipped SHE’S GOOD SPEED (6) on top had she not drawn so wide. Ready to win, has all the right formlines. LIGHTNING BELL (14) meets Unbreakable on similar weight terms for good second to her last start. MERU (15) is a maiden but not hopeless.

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 3.

Darren Weir-trained Olivier is sure to make his presence felt in the closing stages of the eighth race. Picture: Getty Images

Race seven: Yellowglen Handicap (1200m)

Mad keen on ABILITY (4), who was a tragedy beaten last start after racing wide with no cover. Searching run on a limb approaching home turn was the killer. Huge to get as close as he did. Much better drawn here, can lob close in the run. The curious runner first-up is PAYROLL (5), who ran some blinders in good class last prep. Stable in form. NUDIERUDIE (3) won the Ability race after nice run on-pace and is sure to be competitive again, as will TANGO ROCK (14) from the same race. Reckon that formline is stronger than the DIVINE MR ARTIE (2) BASSET (1), TAN TAT CHARGER (8), REGAZZO DEL CORSA (9), NAT’S THE BOSS (10) race from Caulfield last start.

SUGGESTED BET: The win No 4, quinella 4 and 5.

Race eight: Brett And Mark Wilson Sprint (1100m)

Go wide. By this stage of the day you can envisage winners storming home out wide off a strong tempo. Chances drawn wide to swoop are OLIVIER (11), WRITTEN UP (6) and TADDEI TONDO (5). All three have winning chances. DUKE OF BRUNSWICK (7) resumes and is the best of the on-pacers, along with RICH JACK (8). SMACKDOWN (3) and BY THE GRACE (1) will be weaving late, as will BELERSON (9). If they go bonkers SPREADEAGLED (13) will have last crack at them.

SUGGESTED BET: Take the field in the quaddie.

Race nine: Tile Importer City Timber Handicap (1600m)

It’s a gamble, because he simply never wins, but advising something each-way on GUEST OF HONOUR (2). Seems to have come back a more reliable horse this time in and each run has been encouraging. Ready for a peak run from good gate and forceful jockey in Currie. REFULGENT (11) also has his hoof on the till from a good alley. EXCITES ZELADY (4) has a nice claim after mixing it with two very good sprinter/milers in SA last start. MOOOVERMANHATTAN (7) was fat first-up and ran well, first run since being gelded. Can life sharply. Chances also to NEVIS (1), SYSMO (5), LORD DURANTE (8) and HARD CALL (15).

SUGGESTED BET: Each-way No 2.

Quaddie

1,3,6/4/3,5,6,7,8,9,11,13/1,2,4,5,7,8,11