Lord Of The Sky will face seven rivals when he chases his second straight win at Group level in the 2014 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Lord Of The Sky is set to start the 2014 Bletchingly Stakes as a short-priced favourite. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The talented speedster has always been touted as a potential Group 1 sprinter and he is set to start the Bletchingly Stakes as a short-priced favourite after he cruised to a four and a half lengths victory in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 5.
Lord Of The Sky is expected to take up the running when he jumps from barrier five and he will carry 58 kilograms with veteran jockey Dwayne Dunn on his back.
Nearest To Pin (barrier two) scored an upset win in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 12 and he will have the chance to record another win at each-way odds in the Bletchingly Stakes this weekend.
The Golden Lake gelding started the All Victorian Sprint Series Final at 12/1, with talented mare Vain Queen an odds-on favourite, but the four-year-old was too strong in the final stages and scored a narrow victory.
John Monash Stakes placegetter Le Bonsir (barrier one) will also be backing up from the All Victorian Sprint Series Final, while Ready To Rip (barrier eight) has been included in the Bletchingly Stakes field after being scratched from both the John Monash Stakes and All Victorian Sprint Series Final.
One of the most interesting runners in the Bletchingly Stakes field is Lloyd Kennewell-trained Thiamandi, who will be stepping up to Group level for the first time in her racing career.
Thiamandi (barrier three) has always shown plenty of talent since she made her racing debut in the Listed 7News Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day in 2012, but has finally start to live up to her potential this preparation after taking out the Saroa Horses Birthday Lunch (1000m) at Morphettville on June 28 and The Cove Hotel Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on July 5.
Another interesting galloper in the Bletchingly Stakes field is Saab Hasan-trained Grand Emperor, who will be returning to Group level for the first time since he finished 11th behind Ferlax in the 2013 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m).
The Written Tycoon gelding has plenty of ability, but has been his own worst enemy at times and missed the start when beaten as a short-priced favourite in the Melbourne Signage Concepts Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on June 7.
Rounding out the 2014 Bletchingly Stakes field are Shawn Mathrick-trained Gig (barrier six) and promising mare Rain Fast (barrier four).
