The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes is the feature on this Saturday’s nine-race program at Caulfield.
Worth $200,000 and contested at weight-for-age, the 1200m sprint often serves as a key leadup for several hopefuls eying the Group 1 Memsie Stakes during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
A wet day could be on the cards with rain about, and the rail is currently out four metres across the circuit.
For our thoughts on the entire meeting, check out our 2024 Bletchingly Stakes Day Preview!
Dom looks to be an above-average animal in the making for the Hayes team.
The two-year-old by Pierro pressed forward early to make every post a winner on debut at Geelong a couple of weeks ago, storming 5.5 lengths clear down the straight with plenty left to give through the line.
He handled similar conditions quite well that day facing a Soft 7 and maps to make his own luck on the speed again under Blake Shinn.
Aldofito did not disappoint on debut at Flemington earlier in the month.
The Moody-trained son of Fastnet Rock exploded with an impressive turn of foot to win by nearly half a length, clocking the eighth-fastest final 200m split of the meeting.
He’s drawn slightly awkwardly out wide under Luke Nolen this time, but is another one that should appreciate any rain about.
Bluestone plugged away bravely to shed the maiden tag in his second start at Bendigo two weeks ago, prevailing over the final 100m after settling up on teh speed under Ben Allen.
The grey by Reliable Man showed real staying power in a slowly run race and appeared much-improved after just missing out on a place over the mile at Moe on debut.
This is tougher again up to Saturday grade, but there’s nothing to suggest he can’t handle the extra 200m after only warming to the task late a fortnight earlier.
Dictionary brings likable form into one of the more open staying races on the program.
The Moloney-trained four-year-old has featured in the money in his last three starts, tackling a heavy track at Sale three back to win by a handy margin over shorter.
He held his own more recently on the Lakeside track at Sandown, looming the winner up until the 100m mark before conceding to Martial Eagle.
This is slightly tougher, but with wet form and a stack of fitness on his side, he rates a decent each-way play.
Happy to have something on Amoursirra here on return.
This daughter of I Am Invincible really caught the eye when winning on debut at Pakenham back in January, tucking in just behind the speed before unleashing at the top of the straight to go 3.85 lengths clear down the centre of the straight.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable took a throw at the stumps in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes a fortnight later, a race that never went to plan when this girl pulled up lame in the finish.
She’s since been given a good gap between runs however, and has appeared in fantastic order at the jump outs leading in.
Needs a touch of luck from the barrier, but with Jye McNeil booked carrying 54kg, this looks a suitable leadoff race.
Piastri is a progressive three-year-old making his seventh start for Ciaron Maher.
The Choisir gelding has returned in good order this prep, winning his second race first-up at Sale by a decent margin after quickening over the final 100m.
He lost no admirers at Caulfield two weeks ago, beaten just over two lengths by the smart Marble Nine from a difficult barrier – something he’ll have to overcome again here on Saturday.
This year’s Bletchingly could be a bit of a ‘no bet’ race with Recommendation installed as the odds-on favourite.
A seven-length winner of the Sir John Monash Stakes last start, this smart four-year-old has already defeated a couple of his key rivals, including Mrs Chrissie in convincing fashion.
Blake Shinn sticks from a perfect barrier and on the back of a barnstorming victory a fortnight earlier, the sky could be the limit now with this son of Shalaa hitting his stride.
Jimmy The Bear could be racing with confidence now after returning to the winner’s circle to claim the Mildura Cup just over a week ago.
The decision to race on the quick turnaround warrants some respect from trainer Patrick Payne, and although he’s been a frustrating commodity over the last few months, it’s worth factoring in his outstanding record here at Caulfield that features two wins and a handful of placings.
Back out to the mile is another big tick and there’s no knock on Billy Egan’s record with this stable.
If the pair can motor to the front early and lead, they’ll take a power of beating.
Keen to see Sandpaper back over 1400m coming off a runner-up effort over the track and distance in his third run back.
The Godolphin gelding hasn’t won in well over a year now, but he did appear much-improved when finishing a narrow second to El Rocko after finding the front over hte final 200m.
Competing with the blinkers on again, another hot tempo and some solid fitness under his belt should go a long way to a similar effort.