The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) has drawn an impressive field and we are set for an outstanding edition of the time-honoured sprint at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Vega Magic has not been seen at the races since May, but he is a horse with exceptional talent and has opened the $2.75 favourite in Neds’ lucrative market. A former Perth galloper, Vega Magic has posted an impressive career total of twelve wins and four minors through only twenty-one career starts, but he has undoubtedly improved in class and ability since transferring to the care of the Lindsay Park team. Winner of each of his first three starts for Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig including both the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) and Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), the Lope De Vega gelding hit the line well for second behind Redzel in The Everest (1200m) but was returned to the paddock after failing to fire in either of the Manikato Stakes or Darley Classic. A tough run was telling when he resumed for a one-off eighth in The Goodwood a couple of months ago and he should take plenty of benefit into a far-easier prospect on Saturday. Voodoo Lad will carry winning form into Saturday’s feature and has already received plenty of interest in 2018 Bletchingly Stakes betting; firming into outright $4.40 second favouritism in the Fat Odds market. Voodoo Lad has been a strong and consistent performer for Darren Weir for several seasons now, but he failed to make anything of an impact in The Goodwood and Stradbroke Handicap at his first two appearances this time. Five weeks between runs paid off when he stepped out in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago when he strode clear of his rivals to secure a near two-length win. The wide draw in this small field won’t cause too many headaches for the son of I Am Invincible and on his last performance, he’ll be right in the finish again on Saturday. Three-year-old Jukebox worked home well to finish third in the Monash Stakes first-up and with natural improvement, can make his presence felt in the Bletchingly Stakes. Winner of his first three career starts, including the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) first-up last spring, the Snitzel colt finished second in each of the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m), but failed to fire in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1200m) and was sent to the paddock. He’s drawn well on Saturday and can fight his way into the finish of the Bletchingly Stakes with Ben Melham aboard. There is a case to be made for nearly every horse in the 2018 Bletchingly Stakes field, but one that appeals at each-way odds is multiple Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart, who can be taken at $12 at the time of publish. The Blackfriars gelding is clearly not the horse that he was two years ago but he continued to produce excellent performances and results through his most-recent preparation, including placings in each of the Memsie Stakes, Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) most notably.
