Trainer Lindsey Smith is hoping that his Group 1 winner Scales Of Justice can revitalize his career when he lines up in the Group 3 $160,000 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Mystic Journey, above, is the early favourite for the 2019 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The former Perth trainer has set up base at Warrnambool and is looking forward to seeing a rejuvenated Scales Of Justice have his first run since finishing third in the Group 3 $150,000 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot in Perth in November last year.
“He’s been good in his work, he had a jump-out about three weeks ago which was good and he’s been fine ever since,” Smith told AAP.
“We’re hoping he’s back to normal, which would be good.”
Scales Of Justice was one of the stars of the 2016 – 2017 Perth Summer Carnival with his win in the Group 1 $1m Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot but failed to fire when Smith brought him to Melbourne for a 2017 Spring Carnival campaign.
The early prospects looked good with a first up second to Redkirk Warrior in the Group 2 $200,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington but he was then unplaced when seventh to Santa Ana Lane in the Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
“He hasn’t been the same since his first run over here,” Smith said.
“He was ducking and diving and must have felt it that day. Whatever he did, it’s taken a long time to get him back.
“The riders who have been on him are all happy with how he’s going. I can’t fault him.”
Scales Of Justice is one of twenty nominations for the Bletchingly Stakes which includes Tassie star Mystic Journey and Mackinnon Stakes winner Trap For Fools.
The Adam Trinder trained Mystic Journey took all before her during the 2019 Autumn Carnival with four undefeated runs which came on the back of three wins from four starts during the 2018 Spring Carnivals and included wins in the Group 1 $1m Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2 and in the $5m All-Star Mile (1600m) two weeks later over the same course and distance.
Early betting for the 2019 Bletchingly Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Mystic Journey as the $2.10 favourite ahead of the Team Hawkes trained Sesar at $4 while Scales Of Justice and Spirit Of Valor are sharing the next line of betting at $8.
Pre-post betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the 2019 Bletchingly Stakes: $2.10 Mystic Journey, $4 Sesar, $8 Scales Of Justice, Spirit Of Valor, $10 Jungle Edge, $12 Cliff’s Edge, $13 Bandipur, $21 True Excelsior, $26 Holy Blade, Miss Vixen, $31 Tshahitsi, $34 Beautiful Flyer, Miss Iano, Sylpheed, $41 Mahamedeis, $51 Ken’s Dream, Spirit Of Aquada, Trap For Fools, $61 Queen Annabel, $81 All About Nicci.
