2019 Bletchingly Stakes Day Preview

Spirit Medium has stamped herself as a filly to follow and she can continue her rise through the grades by winning the first at Caulfield on Saturday. The Helmet filly finished second in the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill two back before breaking her maiden at Bendigo last time out, and she’ll only improve into this race. This crop of Godolphin two-year-olds is obviously outstanding and Spirit Medium can return the stable another win.

2 Units Spirit Medium

Tasmanian raider I Remember You hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but she is a proven fresh performer and looks ready to go after a smart trial at Devonport. The Written Tycoon mare recorded three wins from her four starts last time in, finishing second in the Group 3 Vamos Stakes at her only other appearance. With even luck, she’s up to winning.

1.5 Units I Remember You

This looks to be one of the more open races on Bletchingly Stakes Day and the Tony McEvoy-trained Laure Me In looks ready for a big performance, should he not be caught in an awkward position from a wide gate. The Ad Valorem gelding clearly needed the run when he finished towards the tail of the field at HQ first-up but finished off well to place fifth over 1400m here last time out. He harbours plenty more improvement and will enjoy getting out to a mile.

2 Units Laure Me In

Sopressa has been a strong and consistent performer recently without winning but looks well placed to record that elusive win in the Gold Stayers race. The Group 1 winner has finished second in three of her four most-recent appearances, including both the Caloundra Cup and Grafton Cup most recently. She can take up the running in this race and should prove extremely difficult to catch.

2 Units Sopressa

American In Paris doesn’t win out of turn, but he has returned several competitive efforts this time and looks a live each-way chance of winning an open race. The Americain gelding worked home well to finish fourth over 2500m at Flemington last time out and is rock-hard for this assignment, while he also has the benefit of Craig Williams in the saddle again. The $7 on offer at publish does look a touch of overs.

1 Unit E/W American In Paris

Eleven horses have accepted into the field for this year’s Gold Reef and there is a case to be made for more than half in the field. I’m not particularly keen on the favourite Benitoite, but I cannot make a compelling enough case for anything else and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

Street Icon only just missed when second at this track and distance first-up from a long spell and she looks well placed to go one better on Saturday. The Maher & Eustace-trained filly has recorded two wins and a placing from only four career starts and there is no doubt that she’ll enjoy good improvement with the run under her belt. The wide draw isn’t too much of a concern as she can settle off the pace and finish over the top of her rivals.

2 Units Street Icon

Cliff’s Edge hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but he is clearly an above-average galloper and can make a winning return in the Bletchingly. The Canford Cliffs entire is a multiple black type winner and scored an impressive all-the-way win in the Group 2 Crystal Mile during his most-recent prep, before ending the year sixth in the Group 1 Cantala most notably. He should be able to find a position on the pace from barrier 5 and will give them something to catch. I concede that odds-on favourite Sesar will be hard to beat, but I’d prefer to take the place quote for Cliff’s Edge.

1 Unit E/W Cliff’s Edge

I Thought So hasn’t shown his best form this time, but he did enjoy good improvement when finishing three lengths off the winner in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes last time out, and he’ll enjoy what is a noticeable step back in class into this. The So You Think gelding has a class edge over the lion’s share of these rivals at his best and he has options from the rails draw.

1 Unit I Thought So