The time-honoured Bletchingly Stakes will be run and won on Saturday, and it headlines a quality nine-race program at Caulfield as we continue to gear up for the spring.
There is plenty of value to be found in betting, and you can find all of my Bletchingly Stakes Day Tips below.
Quayclean Handicap (1200m) – 12:05pm
Open race to kick off Bletchingly Stakes Day and I thought that the resuming Gangitano had claims on winning at a nice price ($7 at publish).
Gangitano has had two starts since debuting, filling the minors at Listed level here on debut before finishing seventh in the Blue Diamond Prelude.
He’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to his return and the booking of Craig Williams adds confidence.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Gangitano
MRC Membership First Renewal Edward Bode (2400m) – 12:40pm
King’s Crossing has been a consistent performer for the Danny O’Brien yard this time, and the 2400m at Caulfield looks perfect for him.
The Almanzor gelding won at Geelong in his first run back this time, racing well around some quality horses in the wake, and only just missing behind First Immortal at Flemington last time out.
He’s in peak order and might not be offered a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 King’s Crossing
VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) – 1:15pm
Rolls has been knocking on the door of another win for some time now, and I think he’ll prove tough to beat at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Anacheeva gelding has filled the minors at each of his last three starts, all staying contests at Flemington, and he was less than half a length behind Young Werther last week.
He’s another that steps out in peak order, and I think that getting back out to the 2400m this week is the key.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Rolls
VOBIS Gold Ingot (1400m) – 1:50pm
Eugenius worked home well to finish second, beaten a head at Flemington first-up from a break, and he’s the one for me in the Gold Ingot.
The Magnus gelding has only made two appearances at the races so far, his first being a very green effort at Moe back in February, and the patience of trainer Shane Nichols and connections looks to have been the keen to him.
With improvement, this looks a great target for him.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Eugenius
Royal Meeting Is All Class Handicap (1400m) – 2:25pm
Movader struck in BM64 company at the midweeks at her latest start, and something like this does look the next logical target.
The Invader filly has been a model of consistency this year and she was rewarded for her condition last time out.
In peak order, from a good draw and with some relief in the weights, I think this is genuinely the perfect opportunity to transition into Saturday company.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Movader
Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1100m) – 3:05pm
Kin takes winning form into this race and will take plenty of beating again.
The Impending filly has raced well around some very good horses this time in, but confirmed that she had found her best form with a dominant performance over this route a fortnight ago.
She’s another that gets some relief in the weights this week and I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Kin
Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1200m) – 3:45pm
Godolphin look a really good chance for a running double at Caulfield on Saturday in my opinion, and Va Via will take beating in the seventh.
Va Via stripped fitter for three credible performances up in Sydney to kick off her campaign, before returning to Caulfield last time for a near six-length win.
A repeat of that effort and I am confident that she just wins again.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Va Via
Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) – 4:20pm
The time-honoured Bletchingly Stakes has drawn a typically smart field of sprinters, and I am inclined to give Ingratiating another chance second-up.
Ingratiating has been a great horse throughout his career, and I had him on top in the Neds Sir John Monash here a fortnight ago, but he was reasonably flat and finished fifth.
He does boast a very good second-up record, and he came $5.50 into $3.90 after drawing a good barrier on Wednesday.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Ingratiating
Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1400m) – 4:52pm
St Lawrence returned a winner here at Caulfield last month and can go on with the job on Bletchingly Stakes Day.
St Lawrence has made just six appearances at the races since debuting, but he has been nothing short of outstanding, winning five times and filling the minors on the other occasion.
He’s drawn well and is further boosted by the claim of in-form apprentice Carleen Hefel.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 St Lawrence