{"id":88626,"date":"2026-07-23T16:31:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T06:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=88626"},"modified":"2026-07-23T16:31:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T06:31:27","slug":"bletchingly-stakes-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/07\/bletchingly-stakes-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites\/","title":{"rendered":"Bletchingly Stakes 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last major winter sprint in Melbourne lands at Caulfield this Saturday, and the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes<\/a> looks an absolute beauty despite a compact field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This race regularly sets the tone heading into spring carnival, and its honour roll is stacked with serious names \u2014 Apache Cat, Smokin\u2019 Joey, Scales Of Justice, King Of Sparta and last year\u2019s star mare Bridal Waltz all used this as a launching pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This season\u2019s Bletchingly Stakes field has plenty to unpack. Winnasedge is chasing the Monash\u2013Bletchingly double after bursting through the line last start, Miraval Rose is back hunting a second-up victory, and Cosmic Crusader returns from a break with Group 1 credentials to head the markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a tight line-up, a few key runners peaking at the right time, and the Bletchingly Stakes predictions pointing to a tactical 1200m dash, it\u2019s time to get involved!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dive in below for our full 2026 Bletchingly Stakes tips, predictions and top fancies<\/strong> to see where the value sits in this year\u2019s winter Group 3 finale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Favourites & Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Favourite<\/div>\n
No. 1 Cosmic Crusader<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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The big boy, COSMIC CRUSADER (1)<\/strong>, returns from a break and immediately stamps himself as the horse to beat in the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes.<\/p>\n

Landing the inside barrier\u00a0is a massive win, especially for a galloper who thrives when he can settle close and build through his gears.<\/p>\n

His WA campaign last prep was rock\u2011solid from start to finish, capped by a gutsy Group 1 victory over Watch Me Rock in the Northerly Stakes<\/a> \u2014 the sort of form that always catches the eye when hunting for reliable Bletchingly Stakes predictions<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He then dropped back to the shorter trip and still produced a booming late run in The Gold Rush<\/a>, proving he\u2019s just as dangerous over 1200m as he is at a mile.<\/p>\n

Fresh is his sweet spot, the jumpout at Caulfield was exactly what you want to see, and a Soft track only tilts things further in his favour.<\/p>\n

With the Bletchingly Stakes barrier draw<\/span><\/strong> giving him every possible advantage, he looks ready to fire first\u2011up and remind everyone why he\u2019s a genuine Group 1\u2011class sprinter.<\/p>\n

Neds Verdict:<\/strong> The standout on paper and the runner they\u2019ll all be chasing. A top\u2011two lock.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Caulfield R7 – The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (G3)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
1. Cosmic Crusader (1)<\/span>
J: Daniel Stackhouse<\/span> 58.5kg<\/span><\/div>
3112x<\/span>T: Andrea Leek<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.70<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.55<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 25\/07\/2026 04:19:13 PM (Australia\/Brisbane) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n View Results: Caulfield Race 7<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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<\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way Danger<\/div>\n
No. 7 Winnasedge<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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The Nick Ryan-trained flyer, WINNASEDGE (5)<\/strong>, rolls into the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes field as the obvious danger after stringing together a seriously sharp prep.<\/p>\n

He returned from a long break with a brave Sandown run under a monster weight, then built beautifully through a Flemington placing before exploding back to life with two Caulfield wins on the bounce.<\/p>\n

His Sir John Monash<\/a> victory was all class \u2014 strong late, handled the rise in grade, and showed he\u2019s right at home around Caulfield\u2019s tight turns.<\/p>\n

The form stacks up, the 1200m is no issue, and his record at the track is outstanding, beaten only once from five appearances.<\/p>\n

With Luke Currie sticking solid and likely pushing forward to take advantage of his tactical speed, he\u2019s perfectly placed to chase the Monash\u2013Bletchingly double and give punters a genuine alternative to the favourite in their Bletchingly Stakes best bets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Neds Verdict: Red\u2011hot Caulfield specialist who won\u2019t be far away. A strong each\u2011way play.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Caulfield R7 – The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (G3)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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7. Winnasedge (5)<\/span>
J: Luke Currie<\/span> 58.5kg<\/span><\/div>
x6311<\/span>T: Nick Ryan<\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.20<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.65<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 25\/07\/2026 04:19:13 PM (Australia\/Brisbane) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n View Results: Caulfield Race 7<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Winnasedge takes the Group 3 John Monash in a thriller \ud83c\udfc6@nryanracing<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ot1MX9En7Y<\/a><\/p>— 7HorseRacing \ud83d\udc0e (@7horseracing) July 11, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>