Leading Morphettville trainer Leon Macdonald is wanting some rain to help the chances of his sprinter Daytona Grey turning the tables on pre-race favourite Supido in the Group 3 $150,000 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trainer Leon Macdonald is hoping for a rain affected track for Daytona Grey, above, in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Jenny Barnes.
Daytona Grey ran second at $21 to Supido last start in the Group 3 $150,000 PFD Food Services Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 15 and on Wednesday afternoon the seven year old was listed at $26 for their rematch this weekend with the Mick Kent trained galloper who is at the top of the market order at $3.50.
Macdonald, who trains in partnership with Andrew Gluyas, was wishing for a good barrier and some rain before the weekend to soften the track and so far has had fifty per cent of his wishes come true with Daytona Grey coming up with the inside gate in the thirteen horse field.
The Caulfield track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday but Macdonalds’ second request could also come to fruition with the Bureau Of Meteorology predicting some rain in the lead up to the weekend.
“It’s probably a tougher race. We’d probably want a good draw and a good run to give him a chance,” Macdonald said before the final field was released today.
“The chance of maybe a wet track might help us. He loves give in the ground.”
Macdonald was full of praise with Daytona Grey’s last start second but even if he gets things to go his way with Clare Lindop in the saddle again, knows that it will be a tough task to reverse the result with Supido.
“I thought he ran his heart out and was just beaten by a better horse on the day,” Macdonald told AAP.
“He’s pulled up well and he’s gone forward since. So we’ll keep our fingers crossed.
“He would have to improve to beat the horse that beat him.”
Supido looks the one to beat again after drawing barrier five with apprentice Beau Mertens certain to give him a good ride as he tries to run down Craig Williams in the Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership race.
The Bletchingly Stakes also see the return to the race track of one time top rated sprinter Lankan Rupee who drew barrier nine with Craig Newitt aboard again.
The Mick Price trained multiple Group 1 winner will be having his first race start since finishing fourth to Malaguerra in the Group 1 $1m Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on the last day of the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
