The final feature of the Melbourne season headlines nine races at Caulfield on Saturday.
With names likes Vega Magic, Scales Of Justice and King Of Sparta featuring on the winner’s list, the Bletchingly Stakes is so often a key form race ahead of early Spring Carnival features, and a talented field of sprinters will step out on the 1200m course again this year.
Read on for my Caulfield best bets, including my 2026 Bletchingly Stakes tips.
Custom is second up and primed to strike on Bletchingly Stakes Day.
She has won just one of her ten career starts so far, but Custom has rarely turned in a poor performance, and she overcame a slow start to only just at her first run back here last month.
With natural improvement, this is a great opportunity for her to go one better.
| 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. | |||
This is a great indication that spring is just around the corner, with several of these horses resumes for their pending three-year-old preparations that will be targeted towards black type.
One of those is Milsons Point, who looks a touch of overs here in my opinion ($15 at publish).
We haven’t seen Milsons Point at the races since March, but he turned in some fine performances during his debut prep, winning his first career start at Pakenham before turning in some competitive efforts in stronger company.
Having trialled up well, he will need some luck in the run from the wide alley, but certainly has the class to win something like this.
| 2. Milsons Point (10) J: Thomas Stockdale 58kg 1206xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation sixth of 12 at this track Vobis Showdown March 14 over 1200m, 7 len behind Big Wigs with 58kg at $11. On debut won by 1.3 len Pakenham 2yo Hcp December 13 over 1000m slow track defeating Tag The Bride with 59kg at $3.60. | |||
Tennessee Bound is the one to beat again in Race 3 on Bletchingly Stakes Day.
The Written Tycoon mare has only made five appearances at the races since debuting but hasn’t put a hoof wrong, winning all five times and producing some dominant performances in the process
Having taken up the running at Sandown last time out, she can employ similar tacts from the rails draw this week under in-form apprentice Jabez Johnstone, who also claims.
| 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. | |||
Afterberna can bounce back at Caulfield this week.
Having recorded consecutive victories two and three runs back, including an impressive performance over 1200m here late last month, the daughter of Cosmic Force was tough from a forward position at Flemington last time out, ultimately finishing fifth.
In peak order this week, a return to a track with a bend should prove beneficial, and she is drawn to receive the run of the race this week under looming Melbourne Premiership winner, Craig Williams.
| 4. Afterberna (4) J: Craig Williams 56.5kg 13115T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| At the latest run 5th of 14 at Flemington in the LR Creswick on July 4 over 1200m, slow going 2.5 len behind Wise Inlaw with 56kg at $11. The run before that won by a long-neck at this track 3yo F Hcp June 27 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Custom carrying 54kg at $4.60. | |||
In what shapes as one of the more open races on the Bletchingly Stakes Day program, I’m going to have an each way play on Jimmy The Bear.
Jimmy The Bear has been a standout for Patrick Payne’s yard for several season now and added his to his CV with smart effort to get up at this track and trip second up in May.
That increased his Caulfield 1600m record to 7:4-1-0, clearly underlining this as his pet trip and conditions.
In peak order this week, drawn well and with some relief in the weights, he looks to be one of the better each way chances on the card, in my opinion.
| 1. Jimmy The Bear (3) J: Dakotah Keane 62kg x9156T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Most recently 6th of 13 at Flemington in the LR Winter Cship on July 4 over 1600m, slow going 3 len behind Detonator Jack with 60kg at $8. Before that 5th of 11 at Flemington Davidbourke on June 20 over 1620m, slow going 3 len behind Seafall with 58.5kg at $4.80. | |||
Happy to stick with Decalogue has his bids for a return to winning form at Caulfield.
Having been sent off a popular pick in the market here a fortnight ago, Decalogue was a little slowly away before ultimately finishing out of the placings, but his form prior to that was outstanding, and included three-consecutive victories.
I thought his latest effort suggested the mile and a half would suit at this point of his preparation, and he’s another that gets more favourable conditions with Jabez Johnstone’s claim.
| 1. Decalogue (4) J: Jabez Johnstone 60kg 21115T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start 5th of 10 at this track 3yo Hcp on July 11 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Ichnusa with 57kg at $2.40. The race before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len at Flemington 3yo Qlty June 20 over 2000m in the wet defeating Our Chief with 56kg at $3.40. Encouraging effort last start. | |||
In my opinion, Miraval Rose is perfectly placed in the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes field.
Having won the Blazer Stakes at Group 2 level most notably during her spring preparation last year, Miraval Rose sat midfield in the Sir John Monash Stakes here first up a fortnight ago, working home well and through the line to finish fourth.
She’s a horse that tends to enjoy good second up improvement and the small rise in trip suits, and she’s drawn a peach in a low barrier.
| 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. | |||
This is another open affair with several key chances engaged, including the second up Aeolian.
The former Brit turned in several strong performances abroad prior to landing in Australia this year, and she was fair without threatening over at mile at Sandown at her first run for Ciaron Maher.
With natural improvement, she’s a horse that will be far better out to the 2000m, and she’s treated very well under handicap conditions.
| 15. Aeolian (2) J: Jabez Johnstone 53kg 514×7T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months settled back and ran on when 7th of 12 at Sandown-Lakeside F&M Bm70 on July 1 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Oraqua with 58kg at $10. Previously second-up won by 1.3 len at Newmarket (July) August 1 over 2011m defeating Hot Flame carrying 58kg at $3. | |||
Cruiserweight puts that unbeaten record on the line again in the last on Bletchingly Stakes Day.
Having won on debut in France last year before comfortably winning at Swan Hill at his Australian debut, Cruiserweight went to another level with what was the performance of the day here at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
With further improvement and over the same trip, he’s my best bet on the program again.
| 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. | |||