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

BEST BETS: EXCITING staying prospect Plein Ciel gets Herald Sun’s form analyst seal of approval as the best bet on the Caulfield card this week.

Race 8 — 4:55PM BRADFORD SOUNDSCREEN HANDICAP (1200 METRES). Winner 'Cana' ridden by Christian Reith.

EXCITING staying prospect Plein Ciel gets Herald Sun’s form analyst seal of approval as the best bet on the Caulfield card this week.

Manley says Plein Ciel has a promising future ahead of him with the former German galloper having already won his three Australian starts in brilliant fashion.

Manley believes the extra 200m should keep Plein Ciel’s undefeated record intact.

If you’re searching for a bit of value at The Heath, Manley suggests you have a little wager on

Burning Front in the second last.

Should now be ready after four runs back from a spell and only run this track and distance easily won the Carlyon Cup last February.

SATURDAY BEST: RAY AND DUFF

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

INSIDE MAIL: BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

BEST BET

PLAIN CIEL (R7, No. 5)

EARLY QUAD

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

$100 flexi for 23.14 per cent

VALUE BET

BURNING FRONT (R8, No. 3)

BIG 6

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

$100 flexi for 13.02 per cent

QUADDIE

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

$100 flexi for 52.08 per cent

CAULFIELD BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

Race 1: Peter Siggins Plate (1100m) 12.30pm

CATCHY (6) couldn’t have been more impressive winning her debut at Moonee Valley coming from last and sweeping around the field. Lindsay Park is having a great run with its youngsters. Mightn’t be a walk in the park though as three first starters from top stables have all shown talent in jump-outs. They are Mick Price’s SEE ME EXCEED (7), John O’Shea’s SIAM (5) and Robert Smerdon’s PROPERTY (4). KEDLESTON’s (1) two runs in November were sound behind smart horses and he has the benefit of race experience.

SUGGESTED BET: CATCHY TO WIN.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Catchy $1.80-$1.75 ($1000 @ $1.80, $560 @ $1.80)

Race 2: Ike Hollingworth Handicap (1100m) 1pm

Three-year-old NASDEX (6) has shown a lot of speed and talent in his four starts. At his last appearance he finished third to the smart Derryn over 1000m at Caulfield in late July. WALL STREET WOLF (3) is hard to assess. He looked a world beater in trials and in restricted grade last winter but didn’t put it together when he came to town. Looked more relaxed when he came from off the speed to win Tatura trial three weeks ago. MR DASHING (5) suffered his first defeat when defeated by MYSTIFIED (7) at Moonee Valley last start. Mr Dashing was green in the closing stages while Mystified ran on taking a narrow gap in the straight to win.

AMADEUS (2) hasn’t lived up to his early promise.

SUGGESTED BET: NASDEX TO WIN.

Expect a bold showing from Cana, who seems to the relish the confines of Caulfield.

Race 3: Raymond Deagon Handicap (1200m) 1.35pm

CANA (8) was grabbed close to the line when she was narrowly beaten by King’s Command at Moonee Valley, who had had a perfect run behind her. She’s run some great races at Caulfield including a second last campaign to Ocean Embers. CRYSTAL DREAMER (5) is a horse on the up and is aiming for a hat-trick after two comfortable on speed wins at Werribee and Sandown this time in. MURT THE FLIRT (1) will find this easier than last start ninth in the Christmas Stakes, where he was only beaten by four lengths. BON ROCKET (6) ran on strongly but just failed to defeat My Survivor last start at Flemington. ROYAL SPINNER (7) stormed home to win at Colac while DANUKI (4) will be better suited at Caulfield.

SUGGESTED BET: CANA EACH-WAY.

Race 4: Margaret mcCluskey Handicap (1400m) 2.10pm

Many chances. NO TAN TAT (7) worked hard to get to the lead early when successful at Geelong last start but she still managed to win her maiden easily. From barrier one should be in the firing line throughout. KENEDNA (1) finished off strongly to win at Echuca last start. Should be suited by 1400m. SPECIAL DIVA (9) also broke through at Geelong with an easy win. INVICTUM DONNA (2) is racing well and was just beaten at Sandown last start by Fille Champagne a race where ALMA’S ROSSA (3) ran home well for fourth.

SUGGESTED BET: NO TAN TAT EACH-WAY.

Race 5: Ian Morrison Handicap (1700m) 2.45pm

Another open race. LA VOLT (8) followed luckless run at Flemington with easy win at Cranbourne last start. From barrier three should get a nice on speed run. ROYAL APPLAUSE (10) ran on to gain second from BALF’S CHOICE (3) but both were well beaten by the promising Plein Ceil. They aren’t taking on a horse like that in this race. FOLK TALES (2) has led throughout to win his second and third starts easily. ON WINGS (4) didn’t handle Sandown last start according to his jockey but previous form entitles him to another chance.

SUGGESTED BET: LA VOLT EACH-WAY.

Lyuba holds off Chiavari (left) at Moonee Valley Racecourse on November 26. Picture: Getty Images

Race 6: Mary Lewis Handicap (1100m) 3.20pm

Lightly raced mare AMERISTRALIA (6) made great progress last campaign. She put together wins at Bendigo before defeating two smart horses in Cheeky Babe and Miss Vista at Caulfield over 1000m. She then ended her campaign with a close-up fifth at Group 3 level also at Caulfield behind Sheidel. MOSSIN’ AROUND (5) didn’t have a lot of luck last campaign. She’s finished second three times from six starts at Caulfield. LYUBA (2) was slightly unlucky when aiming for hat-trick last start as she was held up for a run when second to Tykiato. CHIAVARI (3) is an underrated mare who rarely runs a bad race. GREY STREET (7) is usually competitive in this grade.

SUGGESTED BET: AMERISTRALIA THE WIN.

Plein Ciel is proving to be quite a talented customer. Picture: Getty Images

Race 7: Swettenham Stud Summer (1800m) 4pm

Lightly raced German import PLAIN CIEL (5) has won his three Australian starts impressively and is getting better with each outing. Had no problem winning over 1600m at Caulfield last start and extra 200m will suit even better. Danger is REWARDING EFFORT (6), who settled closer in the run last start and didn’t look like losing at Sandown. He’s also a promising horse. DOCTOR CARE (1) finished off well for seventh at Flemington but was beaten less than three lengths in strong form race behind Flying Light at Flemington. COOL CHAP (2) has been freshened since finishing fifth in the Ballarat Cup. KHUTULUN (3) ran on for close third behind two in-form gallopers in Kenjorwood and Hell Or Highwater at Caulfield last start.

SUGGESTED BET: PLAIN CIEL THE WIN.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Plein Ciel $2.25 unchanged ($5000 @ $2.25)

Race 8: Swettenham Stud Summer Championships (1600m) 4.40pm

Should be plenty of speed in this. BURNING FRONT (3) was disappointing last start at Sandown but step up to 1600m at Caulfield, where he easily won the Carlyon Cup last year will suit. Like stablemate Kenjorwood did at Flemington, he should take a sit on MIHANY (2) and then put the pressure on him early in the straight. Tasmanian HELLOVA STREET (5) has stretched the Apple Isle’s best galloper Admiral at his past two starts finishing second each time to him. Lloyd Williams’ CHANCE TO DANCE (4) races well fresh and will be suited by the fast speed. If they are running on GOLDEN MANE (9) will also be suited.

SUGGESTED BET: BURNING FRONT THE WIN.

Race 9: David McGee Handicap (1400m) 5.20pm

Another hard race. KING’S COMMAND (1) flopped out of the barriers this track and distance last start and settled last before he ran on fairly well for fifth behind Hard Call. Expect him to settle closer in the run. BRADMAN (5) finished off well for second in the same race. Tasmanian SILVER BOLT (3) fought on well after having had a tough run when close-up fifth at Moonee Valley last Saturday. VIOLENT SNOW (9) won well this track and distance last start against her own sex. SHOCKAHOLIC (10) is back to 1400m and his form reads best over this trip. IN FAIRNESS (4) will lead and could take catching.

SUGGESTED BET: KING’S COMMAND EACH-WAY.

TAB MARKET MOVER: Kings Command $5-$4.40 ($750 @ $4.80)

Originally published as The Early Oil: Herald Sun form analyst Michael Manley gives his extended preview of Saturday’s Caulfield meeting