Bletchingly Stakes – 2020

Track Prediction: Good    Weather: Fine

The rail is back out to the five-metre position for this meeting. On Thursday the track is rated a soft five and given there is little to no rain forecast for the rest of the week we are working with the possibility of racing on a good track – this is of course completely different to the Caulfield meeting two weeks ago where many of these horses faced much more testing conditions.

Similarly, to the Sir John Monash stakes, there is a relatively small field of nine runners lining up on Saturday. There does look to be reasonable pace on paper. I had the resuming Streets of Avalon leading with Jungle Edge sitting outside him controlling the speed which is the position he found a fortnight ago. I think Viridine might end up a pair further back than last time.

Viridine has come up a $3.20 favourite in the early betting. Jungle Edge is rated as a $5 chance – Great Again and Widgee Turf are next in line at $7.

1. Jungle Edge

He was heavily backed in the Sir John Monash stakes once the rain came and he dually saluted. He will take fitness out of that run but loses his biggest ace – that being a wet track. He should run well again but I don’t think there is any value in the early price of $5 given the firmer track conditions.

2. Streets of Avalon

It’s hard to believe it took this now group one winning gelding seven starts to break his maiden. He makes his own luck up on speed and he has the blinkers applied here which shows good intent first up. Zero from six goes first up was the query I had with him.

3. Widgee Turf

He has a booming finish and were he to get a suitable race shape could be a factor here. First up and his racing pattern are the slight knocks. Sure, to be flashing late but will it be too late?

4. Viridine

Back on top of the ground is likely one of the keys to Viridine’s winning chances. As I mentioned he probably maps a pair further back than last start but I think the track conditions will be the bigger factor and he can turn the tables on Jungle Edge. He is the one to beat here.

5. Great Again

The Lindsey Smith galloper looked the winner with 300m to go in his most recent start before Lord Von Costa collared him late. He should get a decent run in transit and will be there abouts again.

6. I am Someone

He finished on okay in the Monash after sitting back in the field. He is fit and racing well but I think he probably lacks the class to be winning this sort of race.

7. Im Telling Ya

He has been up for a long time now. He was good two starts back at Caulfield but on that day it was a big advantage to be back and coming wide – he was also up against inferior horses to what he meets here.

8. Sansom

The three year old is fit and on a quick back up. He looked to be bolting with 300 to go last week and then I thought disappointed when the pressure came on. Back around a bend should suit – he is sure to have some supporters.

9. She Shao Fly

This filly is the other three year old in this years race for the in form Kevin Corsten’s barn. She was good last start in winning a mid-week race but it is a big step up here under weight for age conditions.

The following are the top 4 selections for the 2020 Bletchingly Stakes.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4 Viridine	4 Viridine
1 Jungle Edge	5 Great Again
2 Streets Of Avalon	3 Widgee Turf
5 Great Again	2 Streets Of Avalon

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4. Viridine (4)	Won by 0.75L
2nd	2. Streets Of Avalon (1)	0.75L
3rd	5. Great Again (5)	1.15L
4th	8. Sansom (6)	2.15