The 2017 Bletchingly Stakes Form Guide is essential reading for novice punters and racing fans ahead of Saturday’s Group 3 feature race at Caulfield Racecourse.

Supido currently leads 2017 Bletchingly Stakes betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Supido currently leads 2017 Bletchingly Stakes betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Thirteen talented horses will step out in the 2017 Bletchingly Stakes field, but we have analysed every runner in detail, in order to help you find the race winner.

Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee will make his first appearance of 2017 in the Bletchingly Stakes, but faces plenty of competition in the likes of Supido, Ability and Chocolate Holic.

Lankan Rupee

Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee will make his first appearance of 2017 in the Bletchingly Stakes field and cannot be underestimated. The five-time Group 1 champion’s career has been plagued by injury through recent years, but he has still managed several outstanding performances and results amongst tougher company than this and he has trialled well in the lead-up to the Bletchingly Stakes. Third in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) and fourth in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) last spring, there is still plenty of fight in the Redoute’s Choice gelding, he will be partnered by regular hoop Craig Newitt and will be tough to beat under the conditions on Saturday.

Keen Array

Keen Array is another horse that is yet to compete in 2017, but is a Group 1 quality sprinter and not without a chance in the Bletchingly Stakes. The Bel Esprit gelding posted consecutive wins in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) and Listed Caulfield Village Stakes (1200m) in spring, before placing a credible fourth in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m). Co-trainer David Hayes is confident that the horse will be far better second-up and may need this run before finding winning form.

Divine Ten

Former Hong Kong galloper Divine Ten appears to be hitting peak form ahead of the Bletchingly Stakes and is undoubtedly over the odds at his current long quote. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding failed to beat a runner home during his first two starts in Australia through January and February, but resumed for a commendable fourth in the Sir John Monash Stakes. The veteran will have to show some speed early to cross the field and take up the running from barrier 11, but he represents great value as an each-way chance.

Charmed Harmony

Popular veteran Charmed Harmony failed to fire last time out, but produced several strong performances and results prior and is always a threat in a race like the Bletchingly Stakes. Requiring a couple of runs to find form this time, the Hussonet gelding ran second in both the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) and Listed Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1440m) leading into his flop in the Lloyd Williams Hall Of Fame Trophy (1400m). The seven-year-old has had a freshen-up and will also need to cross the field to find a position on pace from barrier 12.

Daytona Grey

Adelaide raider Daytona Grey ran a pleasing second in the Sir John Monash Stakes a fortnight ago and is not without a chance of going one better in the Bletchingly Stakes. The son of Artie Schiller gelding is another horse that will only take improvement into this race and should now be rock-hard fit, having finished a credible fifth in the Holdfast Insurance BM90 (1050m) three weeks prior to the Monash Stakes.

Tashbeeh

The second horse confirmed in the Bletchingly Stakes field for David Hayes and the Lindsay Park team, Tashbeeh failed to produced much on the Flemington straight last time out, but should enjoy a return to racing with a bend. The five-year-old has been a strong and consistent performer throughout much of his thirty-two start career and resumed this time for a comfortable win in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) on May 20th, in what was his only other start prior to his miss last time out.

Supido

Quality galloper Supido has returned to the races in typically excellent condition and is a justifiable favourite in Bletchingly Stakes betting markets. The Sebring entire was unlucky to find less-than ideal conditions during his short autumn preparation earlier this year, but resumed for an easy win over much of this field in the Sir John Monash Stakes a fortnight ago. Supido will only improve second-up and in stepping up to 1200m and he has the notable advantage of in-form hoop Beau Mertens in the saddle.

Duke Of Bunswick

Duke Of Brunswick produced a strong run first-up, but is difficult to know how he will fare against company of this quality and it would take a career-best run to walk away the Bletchingly Stakes winner. The Magnus gelding worked home well to finish second behind fellow Bletchingly Stakes acceptor Ability in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Final (1200m) three weeks ago, but was well beaten and probably cannot make up this distance into this race.

Murt The Flirt

Murt The Flirt is reasonably inconsistent, but is more than capable of a big performance on his day and cannot ever be completely counted out. Third in the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) on the Gold Coast most notably in January, the Murtajill gelding resumed for third in the Sir John Monash Stakes and will again be partnered by Chris Symons on Saturday, from the ideal barrier 4.

Chocolate Holic

Former Perth galloper Chocolate Holic will have his first start for Darren Weir in the Bletchingly Stakes and if the form he displayed in his last campaign is anything to go by, he is a live chance of winning first-up on Saturday. Saddled by leading Perth trainer Grant Williams, the Blackfriars gelding won both the Listed Northam Cup (1600m) and Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) and finished second behind subsequent Group 1 winner Vega Magic in the Group 3 AJ Scahill Stakes (1400m) most notably in the Perth summer. Damian Lane will take the ride on Chocolate Holic from barrier 3.

Santa Ana Lane

Santa Ana Lane is another horse that has shown ability by the barrow full, but has never quite been able to string together several top-line performances and he would need to find his best to win the Bletchingly Stakes. A dominant winner of the Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on May 4th, Santa Ana Lane ran on for a credible fifth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m), but failed to fire in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1000m) last time out on June 10th.

Ability

Ability has been outstanding since he was gelded and he is a leading chance of winning the Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday. Ability has always shown plenty of class, but he has come right on this season and is undefeated through three starts, including his comfortable win in the All Victorian Sprint Final last time out. Victorian Jockeys Premiership leader Craig Williams returns to Ability’s saddle, who is drawn well in barrier 7.

Savanna Amour

Classy Queensland filly Savanna Amour has been impressive in 2017 and is not without a chance of winning the Bletchingly Stakes. Third in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) and winner of the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) in autumn, the Love Conquers All filly had one start in winter for a win in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m). This is an interesting placement by trainer John Meagher and Savanna Amour is up the class.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.