It may be a small field of only seven for this year's running of this 1200-metre, G3 Bletchingly S. dash but it is an interesting one with three of the main fancies coming through the G3 Sir John Monash S. which was one in such dominant style by Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}).
Little wonder that he is, on the strength of that stunning seven length victory, odds-on to make it two feature Caulfield sprints in a row.
His jockey Blake Shinn is in flying form and is aiming for two Bletchingly wins in a row having been aboard the now retired Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) last year.
Blake Shinn | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Attempting to turn the tables on that Ciaron Maher trained 4-year-old is his stablemate Mrs Chrissie (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who did not have a great deal of luck when third in the Monash. Also coming through that race is Mornington Glory (Shalaa {Ire}) who was unable to show his best on the rain affected going.
Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}) makes up a trio of runners for his Woodside Park Stud based sire and his consistent recent form reads well. It has been a while in between drinks for the Hawkes stable who last took out this race with Sports (Zeditave) in 1999.
Adding interest is the up-and-comer Marble Nine (Kobayashi) whose first five starts have yielded three smart wins.
“Attempting to turn the tables on that Ciaron Maher trained 4-year-old is his stablemate Mrs Chrissie who did not have a great deal of luck when third in the Monash.”
First run as a Listed event in 1994 and upgraded to its current Group 3 status three years ago, the Bletchingly has some very nice horses on its honour roll: such as Rubitano (Rubiton), Apache Cat (Lion Cavern {USA}), Vega Magic (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force), dam of this year's G1 Stradbroke H. winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard).
Listed Lightning Stakes - class of the two and 3-year-olds
Four 2-year-olds take on the 3-year-olds in this Listed 1050-metre contest which for many years was known as the Dermody S. Two of the youngsters; the G1 Blue Diamond S. placegetter Kuroyanagi (Written Tycoon) and the double Magic Millions feature winner Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) are the first two in the market.
Kuroyanagi's co-trainer Will Clarken boasts an excellent recent record in this race, taking out the 2022 and 2021 runnings with Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) and Beau Rossa (Unencumbered).
Kuroyanagi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Todd Pannell was aboard both of these winners, also successful on Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) in 2019 and he again has a ride, this time for Peter and Paul Snowden who saddle up the talented filly Satin And Silk (I Am Invincible). The winner of four of her ten starts, she resumes off a Randwick trial second.
Dom Tourneur also knows how to win this race, steering home Bandipur (Commands) in 2017, Buddy Bundy (Al Maher) in 2014 and Prettyhappyaboutit (Magnus) in 2013. He takes the ride on the consistent Lingani (America).
Right in the thick of things in Group 3 company last time out, Aviatress (Smart Missile) is a threat as is Kuroyanagi's stablemate Hajra (Zoustar) who has looked good winning three of her last four.
“Kuroyanagi's co-trainer Will Clarken boasts an excellent recent record in this race, taking out the 2022 and 2021 runnings with Extremely Lucky and Beau Rossa.”
Some very nice sprinters have won this race early in their careers, namely Redelva (Romantic Hope), Clay Hero, Street Ruffian (Raffindale {GB}), Innovation Girl (Rubiton), Viddora (I Am Invincible) and Nature Strip (Nicconi).
Listed HG Bolton Sprint - a Parnham trifecta?
So open is this year's edition of this 1200-metre H. that seven of the 13 runners opened up at single figure odds. The early favourite amongst those is Red Fifty Three (Gingerbread Man) resuming off a Lark Hill trial fifth with good fresh form.
Having the services of William Pike helps, that champion local already winning this race on five occasions: aboard Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) in 2019, Rebel King (Universal Ruler) in 2015, Celebrity Miss (More Than Ready {USA}) in 2014, Marasco (Scenic {Ire}) in 2008 and Is Amazing (Laranto) in 2007.
Red Fifty Three as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Parnham brothers have also enjoyed good success in this race, Brad successful last year on Phanta (Gingerbread Man), Profit Street (Viscount) in 2017 and Electic (Tribu) in 2006 whilst Chris won two in a row in 2021 and 2022 on Amasenus (Time For War) and Resortman (Helmet).
Chris rides Man Crush (Manhattan Rain) whilst Brad has the ride on Vast Art (Flying Artie) and both are strong chances, the former a game and somewhat unlucky Listed Beaufine S. runner-up when resuming whilst the latter resumes off good trial form with a consistent overall record.
The third Parnham brother Stephen meanwhile hopes for his first win in the race and it is a good ride he has too, Saloon Bar (Sessions) showing enough talent to finish a close up fifth in The Quokka.
“The early favourite amongst those is Red Fifty Three resuming off a Lark Hill trial fifth with good fresh form.”
Amongst the dangers are two others who ran well in the Beaufine, the winner Puli (Dick Turpin {Ire}) and the fourth home Minsk Moment (I Am Invincible).
Listed Ryder Stakes - last chance for juvenile black-type
Read About It (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}) vies for favouritism with Ortega (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) in this 1200-metre juvenile contest with both horses showing early talent.
Racing away to an easy 5 1/4l victory at Taupo when having just his second start, Ortega should again prove hard to beat whilst Read About It was unlucky when debuting at Riccarton Park; strong to the line for a game second having been held up at a vital stage.
Ortega (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
Honey Badger (NZ) (El Roca) was also good at debut, only just missing out on the prize at Hastings whilst Rhythm 'N' Spice (NZ) (Ardrossan) has the advantage of an extra run, finishing fourth behind Ortega at first start and improving into a Hastings Third behind Honey Badger.
The winner of that race also takes his place here, Grove Street (Ferrando) showing good heart when challenged. Kereti (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was a tough second off a wide run at his first start on the Awapuni synthetic and another showing promise is Beau Luca (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) who has fought on well for two seconds so far.
There are also a couple of first starters taking their place, the Foxton trial winner Void (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}); a $12,000 weanling purchase out of a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Derby winner Shootoff (NZ) (Duelled) Te Awamutu trial placegetter Stockpin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) out of the stakes placed Likeapins (NZ) (Pins).
First Season Sires
Ten different first season sires are represented by metropolitan runners on Saturday with two of those taking their places in Listed races; Grove Street (NZ) by Westbury Stud's Ferrando in the Listed Ryder S. at Otaki and Arabian Summer by Darley's Too Darn Hot (GB) one of the favourites in the Listed Lightning S. at Morphettville.
Waikato Stud's G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth has two chances with Bardia's Dream debuting off a Flemington jump-out second in the second at Caulfield whilst the promising Savour The Dream (three starts for a win and two placings) races in the first at Doomben.
Ferrando | Standing at Westbury Stud
In that same race in Brisbane is Bella Khadijah (Pierata) who has caught the eye with good finishes at both of her runs this time in. Fellow Yulong stallion Alabama Express has Waiting For Time at Caulfield; connections hoping that can take Pakenham synthetic winning form to town.
Favourite in that race is Comanche Miss by Arrowfield Stud's Castelvecchio. A close up fourth at Listed level in March, she is a recent Pakenham jump-out winner. Band Of Brothers by former Spendthrift shuttler Omaha Beach (USA) also tackles that race; wide at debut he atone for that defeat with a tough on pace victory at Bendigo.
The opening race at Caulfield, the VOBIS Gold Ingot, is also for the 2-year-olds, a race in which I Am Velvet by Swettenham Stud's I Am Immortal attempts to remain undefeated after victories on the grass and the synthetic at Pakenham. Juviance by Vinery Stud's Exceedance is one of the roughies in that race.
Castelvecchio | Standing at Arrowfield
Meanwhile Rangeview Stud's Long Leaf is the only first season horse with a runner in the first race at Belmont, Longalicious looking to improve off a debut last back in February.
Group 1 action in the UK - the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot
What an honour roll this prestigious contest first run in 1951 boasts, the Group 1 12 furlong test won by such outstanding gallopers as Tulyar (Ire), Ribot (GB), Ballymoss (GB), Nijinsky (Can), Brigadier Gerard (GB), Mill Reef (USA), Dahlia (USA) (Vaguely Noble {Ire}), Dancing Brave (USA), Lammtarra (USA), Daylami (Ire), Montjeu (Ire), Galileo (Ire), Dylan Thomas (Ire), Enable (GB) and her sire Nathaniel (Ire).
Favourite to add his name to that illustrious list this year is the brilliantly enigmatic Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who may be bound for the race his superstar dam sire won in 2006, the G1 Japan Cup.
Auguste Rodin (Ire) | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Should he salute he'd become the third G1 Epsom Derby winner to take out this race the following year; Royal Palace (GB) and Teenoso (USA) those to claim that achievement in 1967 and 1968 and 1983 and 1984.
Auguste Rodin is one of the six Group 1 winners in the field of nine with one of particular interest to Australian racegoers being the successful globetrotter Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai); last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and G1 Ranvet S. winner.
Should he salute, it would certainly cap off an outstanding year for his Coolmore based G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 ATC Sires Produce S. winning sire.
“Favourite to add his name to that illustrious list this year is the brilliantly enigmatic Auguste Rodin (Ire).”
Fancied as the main dangers to the favourite are the in-form Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {ire}) who has been in flying form winning his last four and Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) who takes on the boys after proving too good for Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Pretty Polly S.
