NEXT UP

Can Mystic Journey stamp herself as the Cox Plate filly so many want her to be? Can Surprise Baby stamp his ticket to the Melbourne Cup? 

Great questions, with interesting answers to bet but the question we are going to zone in on for the Melbourne Mail is - is Miami Bound at the top of the Oaks pecking order? 

We at Melbourne Mail HQ suspect the answer to that answer is yes. And if it's not yes, it's close enough to yes to be winning the Manifold on Saturday anyway. 

She relished the step out to the mile at Bendigo last time, given a quiet time early and sitting back from a steady tempo before ripping home to beat little but in smart style. 

Her closing splits were warm and her opposition on Saturday looks fairly chilly. The listed lead up from Caulfield spat out a lowly rating and leaves Miami Bound in the driver's seat with Sydney fly-in Subpoenead the danger on ratings.  

She comes through far and away the best race and has to be a threat but we are happy to back Miami Bound to beat her, particularly with the opposition dropping off (on exposed form) so quickly behind that pair. 

An each-way play we are keen to have comes earlier on the card, in the third race which is highlighted by the return of the smart Brooklyn Hustle. 

Taraayef worked hard early at the Valley last time, setting up a fast overall time, and she was entitled to peak on that run late.  

Back in trip, and onto the straight where the early pressure should ease a cog on last time, she looks like running a big race at double-figure odds. 

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 9 #7 Miami Bound @ $3.00

Each Way Play: Race 3 #12 Taraayef @ $10.00