Believe it or not, it's Sir John Monash Stakes day this Saturday at Caulfield.

The Group 3 sprint is a traditional jumping-off point for the early spring hopefuls, even if it seems like winter has just begun.

Godolphin sprinter Viridine looks a big chance to jag some black type in the Monash, coming off his win in the Winter Dash at Rosehill.

Elsewhere, it's Winter Stakes day at Rosehill, the Winx Guineas and Glasshouse Handicap are the highlights at the Sunshine Coast and they're racing at Gawler in SA.

You'll find Australia's best form guide for Saturday's Caulfield, Rosehill, Doomben and Morphettville meetings in this week's Best Bets.

On pages 4 and 5 you'll find four-state selections from some of the nation's leading form analysts as well as our popular Black Bookers, Sectional Stars and Video Stars features.

Best Bets ($6) is on sale Thursday morning in newsagents around Australia (Friday in Queensland, SA, Tasmania, WA and some rural/regional areas).