Saturday racing heads to Caulfield for Bletchingly Stakes Day, with a nine-race card headlined by the Group 3 feature. The 1200m weight-for-age sprint has been won by some quality types over the years and regularly serves as a late-winter target for sprinters building towards the Spring Carnival, while 2024 winner Recommendation adds extra interest as he returns for another crack.
The track is currently rated a Soft 6, and with showers forecast through the week, conditions are likely to remain in the Soft range. The rail is out 10m, which historically can make it difficult for backmarkers to circle the field, so race shape and positioning look important as the meeting unfolds.
There’s plenty to assess across a strong winter program, so let’s get into the Caulfield preview and break down the card.
Following her maiden win, CUSTOM (3) took on black-type company across her next two preparations and gave a good account of herself.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly appreciated the drop in class to an Open three-year-old race last start, finishing off with gusto to finish a neck second over this course and distance.
She’ll strip fitter and gets the benefit of Jabez Johnstone’s 3kg claim.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which should allow the young hoop to settle just off them before making his move entering the straight.
| 3. Custom (7) J: Jabez Johnstone 59.5kg x44x2T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at this track 3yo F Hcp on June 27 over 1200m, slow going long-neck behind Afterberna with 59kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 4th in a small field at Flemington in the LR Desirable Stks on February 14 over 1400m, 4 len behind Sass Appeal with 55kg at $5.50. Better for that and should take beating. | |||
RESOLUTELY (8) had the misfortune of meeting subsequent Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Guest House when debuting in December, but to her credit, she gave a good account of herself to finish just under a length second.
The Team Hayes-trained filly was given a good break to mature and recently returned in the Next Generation Sprinters Final at Flemington, where she signalled she was in for a good preparation.
She raced on speed and gave a good kick, only to be swamped late by Stars Of Dom, who had a fitness edge.
With that run under her belt, she’ll strip fitter and should enjoy a nice run on speed for Craig Williams.
| 8. Resolutely (5) J: Craig Williams 54kg 2×2T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second-up. Promising on debut rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 10 at Cranbourne 2yo Hcp on December 27 over 1000m, 0.8 len behind Guest House carrying 57kg at $5.50. Returned from break raced on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Flemington 2yo Final on July 4 over 1200m, slow going 0.8 len behind Stars Of Dom with 54.5kg at $3.90. Nice return and will take catching with the added fitness. | |||
TENNESSEE BOUND (3) has started her career in perfect fashion with five straight wins and has earned a shot at Saturday city company.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare returned in magnificent order two starts ago, settling handy over 1000m at Caulfield Heath before putting her rivals away with ease to win by 1.75 lengths while eased down.
Last start, she made light work of the heavy conditions at Sandown Lakeside, effortlessly leading all the way over 1200m to win by 2.5 lengths while eased down.
She maps to control the race for 3kg claimer Jabez Johnstone.
| 3. Tennessee Bound (1) J: Jabez Johnstone 57.5kg 11×11T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Caulfield Heath Bm70 June 17 over 1000m in soft going defeating National Code with 56.5kg at $1.60. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 2.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside F&M Bm74 July 8 over 1200m in the wet defeating Zunna with 59kg at $2.05. Very talented mare who should be too fast again. | |||
SIGNATURE SCENT (3) returned in impressive fashion last start with a win over this course and distance.
The Ciaron Maher-trained filly enjoyed a nice run before letting down strongly to salute by a length and claim her fourth win over this distance.
She’ll strip fitter and is a previous second-up winner over 1100m here.
Jabez Johnstone, who claims 3kg, can settle just behind the speed before launching in the straight.
| 3. Signature Scent (6) J: Jabez Johnstone 59.5kg 135×1T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months won by 1.0 len at this track 3yo F Hcp July 11 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Cavalry Girl with 55.5kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 8th of 15 at Flemington Inglis Sprint on February 28 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Getta Good Feeling with 56kg at $26. Nice return and sets up very similarly here. | |||
FIRST CHORUS (9) suffered from a foot abscess earlier in this preparation but proved she is back to her best last start with a tenacious win over 1700m here.
The Lindsey Smith-trained mare settled handy before steaming home down the outside to claim victory by a head.
She returns to a mile, where she boasts a great record, including a win here just four starts ago when relishing the heavy conditions.
The wetter the better for this girl, so showers on the day would be appreciated, but she should still be hard to beat with just 51.5kg on her back.
| 9. First Chorus (6) J: Luke Cartwright 53kg 91561T: Lindsey Smith | |||
| At the latest run favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a head at this track Bm84 July 11 over 1700m on a soft track defeating Makdane carrying 56.5kg at $2.80. The start before that 6th of 15 at this track Bm78 on June 27 over 1700m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Stop The Rock carrying 57.5kg at $6.50. Drops right down in the weights and can measure up. | |||
It was a case of what could have been for KINGS REFLECTION (7) over 2500m at Flemington last start.
The Taige Weir-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run, but the field packed up approaching the run home and he was shuffled back. It got worse from there, as he was then held up behind a wall of horses and didn’t get clear until late, at which point he found the line well to finish 1.65 lengths third.
He had been building nicely before that, including two starts back when clocking the fastest final 200m of the race when finishing third to Decalogue.
Winkers go on for the first time and he maps to get an economical run for Jye McNeil.
| 7. Kings Reflection (2) J: Jye Mcneil 54.5kg 21232T: Taige Weir | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 15 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on July 4 over 2500m, slow going 1.5 len behind Brillantezza with 53kg at $2.60. The start before that 3rd of 15 at Flemington 3yo Qlty on June 20 over 2000m, on a wet track; 4.5 len behind Decalogue carrying 55kg at $4.20. Heavily backed last time and should go close again. | |||
MIRAVAL ROSE (8) returned in great order last start when finishing just over a half-length fourth in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare was uncustomarily taken back from the wide gate and that proved the difference, but to her credit, she hit the line hard.
She’ll strip fitter and won The Taggart over this course and distance when second-up last preparation.
Jordan Childs, who has a great association with her, is back in the saddle and will make use of the low draw to go forward.
| 8. Miraval Rose (2) J: Jordan Childs 56.5kg 144×4T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Second run back. First-up after eight months 4th of 11 at this track in the G3 J Monash on July 11 over 1100m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Winnasedge carrying 56.5kg at $12. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len at this track Mares-Swp September 20 over 1200m defeating Stretan Angel with 57kg at $9.50. Better for that, go close. | |||
STOP THE ROCK (6) looks ready to return to the form that saw him win three consecutive races a year ago.
The Patrick Payne-trained gelding found the line strongly two starts back to win over 1700m here.
Unfortunately, the race got away from him last start when Prince Eric was allowed to take off ahead of him before the turn, and that proved the difference, with Stop The Rock finishing two lengths third.
He’s rock-hard fit and won over this course and distance during his hot run.
Senior jockey Mick Dee goes on and should make the most of the horse finally drawing a decent barrier.
| 6. Stop The Rock (4) J: Michael Dee 59kg 8×013T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 12 at this track Bm84 on July 11 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Prince Eric with 55kg at $9.50. The run before that won by a nose at this track Bm78 June 27 over 1700m in soft going defeating Somewhere carrying 55.5kg at $81. Should take some holding out. | |||
CRUISERWEIGHT (2) lines up here looking to remain undefeated.
The three-year-old gelding bolted in by 5.8 lengths in New Zealand in December before being transferred to the Hayes stable.
He resumed two starts ago at Swan Hill, where he found the line powerfully to win, before impressing over this course and distance last start when storming home to win by a length, with third nearly four lengths away.
Craig Williams retains the ride on the promising steed and will give him every chance to keep that picket fence going.
| 2. Cruiserweight (6) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 1×11T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.3 len at Swan Hill 3yo Bm64 June 7 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Very Torquee carrying 59.5kg at $3.50. Second run from a spell favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 1.0 len at this track 3yo Hcp July 11 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Celtics carrying 54kg at $3. Shows promise. Very progressive and sets up ideally, clearly the one to beat. | |||
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