The Early Oil: Herald Sun racing writer Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Flemington meeting

HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley says Makybe Diva Stakes Day presents punters with quite a challenge but Black Heart Bart shouldn’t disappoint them.

HERALD Sun’s leading form analyst Michael Manley says Makybe Diva Stakes Day presents punters with quite a challenge but Black Heart Bart shouldn’t disappoint them at Flemington.

Manley says Black Heart Bart’s flying since he’s joined Darren Weir’s stable and should prove too good again for a similar field as last week’s Memsie Stakes.

EXPERT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

STABLE WATCH: INSIDE MAIL FOR ROSEHILL

BEST BET

BLACK HEART BART (R7, No. 3)

EARLY QUAD

1,4,5,7,9,10,12/2,5,6,7,8,9,12/2,3,5,9,11/1,12

$100 flexi for 20.9 per cent.

VALUE BET

FAATINAAH (R6, No. 10)

BIG6

2,3,5,9,11/1/1,2,5,6,8,10,11/3/1,2,3,4,15/3,5,13

$100 flexi for 19.04 per cent

QUADDIE

1,2,5,6,8,10,11/3,10/1,2,3,4,6,9,10,11,12,15,18/3,5,11,13

$100 flexi for 16.23 per cent

Race 1: Sofitel Girls’ Day Out Handicap (2500m) 12.25pm

LUCQUES (6) rises in distance which will suit. His three runs back from a spell have all been encouraging. His form last summer suggested he was better than average stayer. BLACK TOMAHAWK (3) made it three seconds in a row when he ranged up to defeat REFECTORY (5) at Moonee Valley last start but was out kicked by him. Refectory made it two on end after a brilliant tactical move by Newitt to take the lead mid-race. O’LONERA’s (7) form can’t be faulted as he’s aiming to stretch his winning sequence to four. If it’s wet AUTHORITARIAN (9) will take catching.

Suggested bet: Lucques each-way.

Race 2: Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) 1pm

Plenty of chances. Sydney filly MY COUNTRY (4) has won three and finished second on the other occasion from four starts. She trialled well in strong trial at Rosehill recently and the Snowdens are in great form when taking horses to Melbourne. ARIAZ (12) sprinted quickly but gave the winner too big a start when she resumed with second behind Money Chaser at Sandown. MISSROCK (1) has a touch of class has run well down the straight before. Sydney fillies SUPER TOO (9) has speed and won her last two starts easily and KENTUCKY MISS (7) finished third at her last start in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill. NAJMAAT (10) ran home nicely when she resumed.

Suggested bet: My Country each-way.

Race 3: Starlight Express Room Stakes (1400m) 1.35pm

SEABURGE (2) resumed from a spell with good run on effort for fourth behind Defcon at Caulfield. Three starts ago he won the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes this track and distance defeating DETECTIVE (6). URBAN RULER (9) is a horse on the up. Strong effort to work forward to lead early and then defy rivals to win at Sandown last start. THROSSELL (5) is another three-year-old with great potential. Suffered first defeat but lost no admirers with first-up third at Moonee Valley. ZUNBAQA (12) has won her past four starts including win this track and distance last start. YU LONG SHENG HUI (7) is undefeated in two starts.

Suggested bet: Seaburge the win.

Race 4: The Sofitel (1400m) 2.15pm

HI WORLD (2) worked forward and only tired in the last 100m when first-up fifth at Caulfield. The prospect of a wet track will suit as he’s three from four on them. BON AURUM (11) carried big weight when first-up third at Caulfield when he sprinted home strongly. This time last year he put together back to back 1400m wins at Flemington and then in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Looks nicely in on minimum weight. TASHBEEH’s (3) went forward and held on for fourth in the Memsie Stakes at his last start. Forget ULMANN’s (5) last start failure in Adelaide on a heavy track. Previous form reads well for this. PRINCE OF BROOKLYN (9) ran into a good horse last start when he was beaten by He’s Our Rokkii.

Suggested bet: Hi World each-way.

Race 5: Danehill Stakes (1200m) 2.50pm

DEFCON (1) produced a brilliant sprint to win first-up at Caulfield in the McNeil Stakes coming from midfield gaining rails runs. Takes on many of those horses he met in that race and could prove too good again. The horses which followed him home in the placings HIGHLAND BEAT (6) and WAZZENME (10) and HARDHAM (11) who finished sixth all have claims. SAMARA DANCER (12) won her first two starts brilliantly before flopping in Blue Diamond Stakes. She’s since trialled well in Adelaide. Sydney sprinter ARCHIVES (4) is also an above average sprinter.

Suggested bet: Defcon the win.

Race 6: Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) 3.30pm

FAATINAH (10) resumes after a cracking run in the strong form race the Goodwood where he finished fifth. Since won a jump-out in great style and stable believes he could be in for a big campaign. KINGLIKE (6) won the Danehill Stakes at this meeting last year. Has run some top races at Group 2 level and also looks well in with 53 kilos. UNDER THE LOUVRE (1) doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He finished second in this race last year. Kiwi XTRAVAGANT (2) is the query runner. Has looked a world beater on occasions in his homeland. WE’VE GOT THIS (11) flew home when sixth at Caulfield first-up. Loves this track.

Suggested bet: Faatinah each-way.

Race 7: Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) 4.10pm

Hard to go past BLACK HEART BART (3) after his win in the Memsie Stakes. He’s flying since he’s joined Weir’s stable. Should get a great spot on the speed and likely to prove too good again for a similar field as last time. Stablemate PALENTINO (10) finished off nicely in the same race. Should be fitter and won the Australian Guineas this track and distance third up last time in. RISING ROMANCE (12) was no match for Black Heart Bart in the closing stages last start but fought on well for second. She finished second in this race last year and will be suited by a wet track. TARZINO (9) settled a mile back in the Memsie Stakes and produced the fastest last 400m. Second-up last time in he was just beaten in the Australian Guineas. OUR IVANHOWE (4) should run well first-up.

Suggested bet: Black Heart Bart the win.

Race 8: Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) 4.50pm

FRENCH EMOTION (15) ran on nicely when she resumed at Moonee Valley for close-up sixth behind CATCH A FIRE (3). She comes in nicely on the weight scale and step up to 1400m will suit. THAMES COURT (4) was mowed down by the in-form Ocean Embers at Caulfield last start. Will go forward and take running down. BADAWIYA (1) resumed with first-up win this track and distance at Group 2 level last time in. DON’T DOUBT MAMMA (2) is a brilliant mare but will need luck from barrier one. EGYPT (18) ran home nicely when she resumed and 1400m should suit. JESSY BELLE (6) had little luck when she resumed.

Suggested bet: French Emotion each-way.

Race 9: Spring Is In The Season Handicap (1700m) 5.25pm

PILOTE D’ESSAI (13) will be better suited over 1700m at Flemington than when he chased home the in-form ROYAL RAPTURE (3) at Moonee Valley last start over 1500m. Winkers go on first time. Royal Rapture is aiming for four in a row and seems to be getting better with every start. He’ll love the wet. Stablemate HOWARD BE THY NAME (5) is a promising stayer resuming. GABELLA (7) is a promising mare who finished off nicely when she resumed. MR WONDERFUL’s (15) is in great form and is aiming for five in a row. TALLY (7), BIG MEMORY (4) and HANS HOLBEIN (10) all have claims.

Suggested bet: Pilote D’Essai the win.