Bletchingly Stakes at Sandown free tips and form, Sunday August 6
THE Bletchingly Stakes has been rescheduled to this Sunday at Sandown and we have form, odds and free tips for the meeting.
The $150,000 feature includes the likes of Savanna Amour and Keen Array, but many eyes will be on the return of Lankan Rupee which hasn’t raced since the Darley Classic in November.
There’s much more feature racing on the card with the Grand National Hurdle and the Crisp Steeplchase. Both races feature some of Australasia’s best jumping thoroughbreds and it promises to be one of the most exciting races of the new season.
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Race 1 – Jim Conway Handicap (1200m)
Darren Weir lines up Prosecution which scored a handy win at Ballarat last start. The daughter of Choisir ran on well at Moonee Valley on debut and handled the drop in grade with style. It looks to have above average talent and despite drifting in the betting to $3.40 it looks a winning hope.
Sanadaat has been heavily backed into $2.10 following an unlucky run in the Talindert Stakes last campaign. The Lindsay Park-trained filly scored a 2.7-length win on debut at Morphettville before heading to town where it was badly hampered at the 200m and only went down by under two lengths. It will likely start as the odds on favourite.
Race 1 tip: Sanadaat to win ($2.10) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Tile Importer Handicap (2100m)
Eureka Street has been the best backed runner in an even betting field. The Robert Smerdon-trained four-year-old produced a huge finish behind Windbern last start and that should be a great form guide for this. The inside draw might not be ideal, but this is an easier field and it could take advantage at $3.50.
Blazers is up in grade after winning at Ballarat, but it scored impressively. The Lindsay Park-trained mare won by 2.5 lengths and its form prior was solid. It’s clearly more suited to running over the longer distances and its breeding suggests it won’t stay in this grade for long.
Race 2 tip: Blazers to place ($3.80) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1400m)
Blazing Socks wasn’t too far behind them at Sale last start and it boasts an unbeaten second up record coming into this. The Ciaron Maher-trained six-year-old is a lightly tried type having just its seventh start, but despite an interrupted career it continues to show good form. It has a tricky draw, but consider at the each way odds of $5.50 and $2.10 for the place.
Sohool hasn’t been overly impressive this campaign, but it drops in grade after contesting rating 70 grade and that could help it. The Weir-trained runner has won and placed at this distance and it has drawn to receive a good trip in transit. The 3kg claimer is also a help.
Race 3 tip: Blazing Socks to place ($2.10) at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Crisp Steeplechase (3900m)
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Try Four is a professional 12-time winner which should get conditions to suit. The son of Fastnet Rock hasn’t been able to perform at its best this campaign, but stretching out to this distance will help and having John Allen in the saddle is always a big bonus. There has been plenty of support at $3 and it would pay to follow any significant betting moves.
Wells is the current $2.60 favourite and is the form runner having won the Mosstrooper Chase leading into this. The Kathryn Durden-trained 10-year-old fought gamely to beat Zed Em and that form will likely hold for this. This is a track where it has run well in the past it’s no stranger to carrying big weights. Punters would want to see it hold firm in the market.
Race 4 tip: Wells to win ($2.60) at Topbetta.com.au
Race 5 – Grand National Hurdle (3900m)
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New Zealand champion Sea King is paying an incredible $7.50 and that’s a price worth jumping on. The Patrick Payne-trained 11-year-old was too good for them at Bendigo last start and that was a big effort having had to travel from New Zealand. The track needs to be rain affected for it to show its best, but expect those odds to drop if conditions are right.
Most of the money has come for Ancient King and it’s not hard to see why. It won its maiden hurdle in May by five lengths and it has since recorded a nine-length win and multiple solid victories. Its run on the flat last start was just for fitness and it has the ability to handle all track conditions. With a 7.5kg advantage over Sea King, it’s not hard to see why punters are liking it.
Race 5 tip: Sea King to place ($2.40) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 6 – Chandler Macleod Handicap (1200m)
If Not Now When is long overdue win and it loves living up to its name. The Henry Dwyer-trained mare has drawn barrier 19 for this, but it likes to get back in its races and make good late ground. It has the class edge over this field, but it does rely on luck. $4.80 with bookmakers after opening at $4.60.
Swiss Moments has attracted attention at $6.50. The Michael Kent-trained mare comes from New Zealand with a win and a placing under its belt and it showed a big turn-of-foot on both occasions. It’s not easy for a Kiwi runner to win first up in a big field in Australia, but there’s some confidence around for it.
Race 6 tip: If Not Now When to win ($4.80) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Bletchingly Stakes (1200m)
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The return of Lankan Rupee will create some excitement on track and the Mick Price-trained runner looks a chance. It hasn’t raced since November and a string of injuries has kept it out of action throughout its career. There’s no doubting its ability when it’s right, but punters will be hoping it can continue its good fresh record here. Punters are getting good odds ($4.40) which could make it worth the risk.
Savanna Amour has won its last two starts which included the Gold Coast Guineas in May. The John Meagher-trained four-year-old will be facing its toughest test to date and it doesn’t get in well on the weights, but it has drawn well and there is confidence with punters at $5.50. It could be the new horse on the scene.
Race 7 tip: Lankan Rupee to win ($4.40) at Topbetta.com.au
Race 8 – Ladbrokes Cash In Handicap (1200m)
Written Era is fresh up for Aaron Purcell and it drops back in grade after taking on the likes of Silent Sedition last start. The six-year-old has a solid fresh up record and it has won two of its three starts at this distance. It won’t be easy from barrier 13, but it typically comes from the tail.
Handsome Thief looked above average last campaign when winning three from four. The Weir-trained defeated some subsequent winners with ease and it likes to make its own luck out in front. It started its last two starts no longer than $1.30 in the betting so the $2.40 is a fair price from bookmakers.
Race 8 tip: Handsome Thief to win ($2.40) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 9 – Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap (1600m)
Pablo’s Express is an up-and-coming type which scored by over five lengths at Pakenham last start. The Greg Eurell-trained four-year-old is by High Chaparral which is a good sign for this season and another run at the mile should suit. The drifting $3.30 favourite with bookmakers.
Tres ran on nicely at Sandown last start and rising back up to the mile looks ideal. The four-year-old mare ran two good races over this distance at Moonee Valley last preparation and there has been good money at each way odds. It has been backed in from $8 to $7.
Race 9 tip: Pablo’s Express to win ($3.30) at Bet365.com