Caulfield Racecourse will play host to Melbourne’s headline race day on Saturday, highlighted by the running of the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).
Ability will step out in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Quality fields have been drawn to all nine races on 2017 Bletchingly Stakes Day and we have analysed every horse in each, in order to help you find a winner.
The action 2017 Bletchingly Stakes Day will get underway with the running of the Janet Brady Handicap (1200m) at 11:55am, however the feature race will not be contested until 4:20pm.
Race 1 (11:55am) Janet Brady Handicap (1200m)
Ten fillies and mares have been confirmed for Race 1 on Bletchingly Stakes Day and nearly every horse is a winning chance. Rocket Commander (barrier 3) will have her first start for Lindsay Park and has trialled well in the lead-up to her competitive return, but she has been charged with overcoming a race-high 60kgs. Forgeress (barrier 5) carries winning form into the race and is drawn ideally, while Sahara Chill (barrier 7) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from her first-up run for fourth in the same race at Caulfield on July 15th. Sullivan Bay (barrier 8) finished second in the race and is weighted to win here.
Tip: No. 1 Rocket Commander ($6.50)
Race 2 (12:30pm) Sheen Group Vobis Gold Stayers (2400m)
Some of the best stayers currently in work will take a position in the Vobis Gold Stayers field and we are set for an exciting contest. Charlevoix (barrier 4) has been excellent this time in and is drawn ideally, with Victorian Jockeys Premiership leader Craig Williams in the saddle. Kiwia (barrier 6) has also quickly found form this season and could receive the run of the race from his central draw. Hot Ruby (barrier 9) has been a model of consistency, but would need to improve to win here, while Benall (barrier 10) has not been seen at the races since May, but was outstanding last time out and is not without a chance of a first three finish under the conditions of this race, following a smart barrier trial.
Tip: No. 1 Charlevoix ($3.70)
Race 3 (1:05pm) Join Victorian Breeders Vobis Gold Ingot (1400m)
A classy field of two-year-olds will line up for the Gold Ingot and there is winning potential across all thirteen runners. Mulk (barrier 13) has been charged with overcoming something of an awkward draw, but he has been in terrific form of late and posted a dominant win on the 1400m course at Ladbrokes Park last time out. Fully Maxed (barrier 9) resumed for a classy win at Ladbrokes Park and will only improve second-up, while Nistaan (barrier 1) should find a good position in transit from the rails draw and will also be fitter from a first-up run. Confluence (barrier 10) has gone extremely close in his two starts this time and will be tough to beat with the right luck in transit on Saturday.
Tip: No. 3 Mulk ($4.60)
Race 4 (1:40pm) Jason Hart Handicap (1100m)
A capacity field has been taken for Race 4 on Bletchingly Stakes Day. Happy Galaxy (barrier 8) produced an impressive performance to win on the synthetic course at Geelong last time out and will enjoy a step-up in distance on turf. Wind Force (barrier 16) is one of the class runners in this field, but he will need plenty of luck after drawing awkwardly. Tango Rock (barrier 17) went amiss last start, but won each of his first two starts this time and will be partnered by in-form hoop Beau Mertens on Saturday. Chapel Road (barrier 4) has steadily built to the task this time and could receive the run of the race from an inside draw, while Charlie Garcon (barrier 13) will need to show some early pace, but has the form to win this race.
Tip: No. 3 Happy Galaxy – Each Way ($21/$6.50)
Race 5 (2:20pm) Nicole Slater Handicap (2000m)
A capacity field will step out for Race 5 and emergency runners Don’t Dismiss (barrier 14) and Presscott (barrier 17) will both start the race, following the early scratchings of Vaucluse Bay and River Goddess. Shadow Prince (barrier 5) will be partnered by claiming apprentice Ben Allen and is primed to return to winning form in this race, while Kipe (barrier 9) is seeking a second-consecutive race win, but faces a notable step up in class. Poetic Ray (barrier 6) has shown plenty of ability through a short racing career, but undoubtedly faces his biggest test to date in this race, while Spanish Reef (barrier 10) has claimed two wins and a close second through three starts this time and will again be tough to beat. Windbern (barrier 2) will be ridden by Craig Williams, is drawn well and is in winning form, and is probably the horse to beat.
Tip: No. 5 Windbern – Each Way ($7.50/$2.90)
Race 6 (3:00pm) Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1200m)
It is an open field confirmed for Race 6 on Bletchingly Stakes Day and there is subsequently plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. O’Rachael (barrier 2) savaged the line following a luckless run in transit last time out and should experience a far clearer path this weekend from an inside draw. Moonlover (barrier 15) may need to do some work early from a tough draw, but is one of the class horses of this field and remains in the hunt. Mystified (barrier 12) is rock-hard fit leading into this race and will relish a return to fillies’ company, while Mandee (barrier 7) has been a close second at her two most-recent starts and is over the odds at her current quote, particularly as an each-way chance. Abriola (barrier 13) went amiss last time out, but remains capable amongst this company.
Tip: No. 3 Mystified ($6)
Race 7 (3:40pm) Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap (1400m)
An open field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Race 7 and there is a case to be made for more than half the horses in the group. Revolving Door (barrier 2) has been strong and consistent this time and will be tough to beat with the right run in transit, while Hay Bale (barrier 5) is in peak racing conditions, is drawn ideally and will enjoy the conditions of this race. Wayanka (barrier 4) is sure to be boosted by the addition of Craig Williams to the saddle and realistically, only needs to produce a good jump to be right in the finish of this race. Tres (barrier 3) should be at peak fitness ahead of his fourth-up run and will be partnered by Beau Mertens from an ideal gate.
Tip: No. 8 Wayanka – Each Way ($7/$2.30)
Race 8 (4:20pm) Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m)
Thirteen talented sprinters have been confirmed in the 2017 Bletchingly Stakes field and there is several live chances amongst the pack. Supido (barrier 5) resumed for a classy win in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago and will only improve into this race, while Ability (barrier 7) is yet to taste anything but success this time in and takes his place in the Bletchingly Stakes field off the back of a comfortable win in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Final (1200m). Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee (barrier 9) is yet to be seen at the races in 2017, but his class is sure to count for plenty and always performs well first-up. Keen Array (barrier 8) is a horse with Group 1 ability, but will likely improve off whatever he does here, while Santa Ana Lane (barrier 13) also would not look out of place in the winner’s stall. Murt The Flirt (barrier 4) and former Perth galloper Chocolate Holic (barrier 3) are both live chances.
Tip: No. 12 Ability – Each Way ($8.50/$2.85)
Race 9 (4:55pm) Moniek and Susanne Sambor Handicap (1700m)
A capacity field has been taken for the final race on Bletchingly Stakes Day and the scratching of leading contender Encosta Line has led to an open race from a betting standpoint. Lucky Paddy (barrier 6) has steadily found form this time and is drawn to get a great run in transit, while Electric Fusion (barrier 4) is primed for another big run and is also over the odds. Reneged (barrier 12) appears to have faded in form slightly, but is capable with the right run here, while Cosmic Lights (barrier 10) and Hardern (barrier 1) are both live chances.
Tip: No. 15 Hardern – Each Way ($14/$4.20)
