Saturday Bound: Mr Brightside goes for four in a row

Each Monday, Saturday Bound takes an early look at the weekend nominations, the likely fields and the first markets as the major players decide where they'll line up.

The spring keeps building this Saturday, with a cracking Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington bringing together some of the biggest names in the country, while the three-year-olds continue their march towards their major spring targets.

Up in Sydney, Rosehill hosts another strong card headed by The Run To The Rose.

G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) — WFA

Mr Brightside has made the Makybe Diva his own in recent years, winning the race three years in a row before going on to perform at the highest level throughout the spring.

But getting number four won't be easy.

This year's 15 nominations are stacked with quality. In fact, the second-lowest-rated horse among them is last autumn's ATC Oaks winner Ohope Wins, which gives you an idea of the depth of the race.

The big three are Sheza Alibi ($1.60), Sir Delius ($4.50) and Mr Brightside ($8.00), but there is serious opposition everywhere you look.

Last spring's Cups star Half Yours ($26.00) is nominated alongside Aeliana ($11.00), Treasurethe Moment ($15.00), Birdman ($26.00) and Buckaroo ($26.00).

It has all the ingredients of one of the races of the spring so far.

G3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) — 3YOs

The Poseidon is an important early test for the three-year-old sprinters hoping to eventually find their way towards races such as the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

There are 18 colts and geldings nominated, headed by unbeaten Mbube ($5.00) and his Vain Stakes runner-up stablemate Organised Crime.

The Price-Kent stable has Big Sky ($3.50) and Buggsy ($15.00), while Ciaron Maher has The Next Episode ($7.00) and Magic Millions winner Unit Five ($9.00) nominated. Todman Stakes winner Paradoxium ($5.00) adds further depth.

The market also has Steel Will at $6.00 and Hard Kick at $8.00.

There should be a few spring reputations made — or dented — here.

G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m)

The Bobbie Lewis has traditionally been a race where emerging sprinters announce themselves, and Oliveanotherday gets his opportunity to do exactly that on Saturday.

The Warrnambool flyer is one of only two four-year-olds among the nominations and now takes another sizeable step up against the hardened straight-track sprinters.

The market certainly thinks he's ready for it, installing him a dominant $1.70 favourite.

King Of Roseau ($9.00), Hedged ($11.00) and Arkansaw Kid ($13.00) are among his early market rivals, while Group 1 Goodwood winner Desert Lightning ($21.00) is the highest-rated horse among the 21 nominations.

Rosehill — The Run To The Rose (1200m)

The road to the Golden Rose heats up on Saturday, with the Run To The Rose traditionally one of the key lead-ups to the Group 1 a fortnight later.

It will be run without Golden Slipper winner Guest House, who goes straight to the Golden Rose instead.

Unbeaten St Gotthard ($2.40) heads the market from Warwoven ($6.00), with Central Europe ($8.00), I'm Ya Huckleberry ($9.00) and Tron Bolt ($9.00) also prominent.

For this group, Saturday should tell us who is ready to press on towards the Golden Rose and who might be better suited taking a different path through the spring.

G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m)

Skyhook ($2.30) dominates the early market for the Theo Marks and gets his chance to establish himself as a serious spring player.

Sun God ($6.00), Verona Rose ($9.00) and God's Window ($11.00) are among the opposition.

The Theo Marks can be an important stepping stone towards the bigger spring mile races, with the winner traditionally gaining ballot exemption into the Epsom Handicap.

G2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m)

A strong group of mares clash in the Sheraco, headed by Lady Shenandoah ($3.50), Weeping Woman ($3.60) and Apocalyptic ($4.50).

Gangsta Granny ($6.00), Savvy Hallie ($8.00) and Lazzura ($9.00) add further depth to a race that should give us an early indication of which mares are ready to step into the bigger sprint races later in the spring.