Bletchingly Stakes
This Saturday will see the unfolding of the Bletchingly Stakes Group 3 race and fans are anxiously awaiting the return of Lankan Rupee. The horse makes his return to his home track in Caulfield to take part in the 1200m race after a very lengthy absence from professional racing.
The former Racehorse of the Year winner has been out of racing since Spring last year, his last event being a 4th place finish in the Darley Classic.
Lankan Rupee has been seen in two jump outs in order to get the horse’s fitness up, but his official return will be at this weekend’s Blenchingly Stakes.
Two Familiar Faces
The $150 000 race will also feature a very dangerous challenge from Supido and a newly invigorated Ability. Ability, who was trained by Robert Smerdon, has been in fantastic form recently.
It has been unbeaten in its last three starts and it last won the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series final that was held at Flemington. Craig Williams will be his jockey at the event and Ability certainly looks set to race a great one if his recent form holds up.
Supido on the other hand made its last great win in the recent Caulfield Cup, a bit shorter in length than the Bletchingly Stakes at 1100m. Supido is the favourite at this weekend’s race.
He will however not be teamed with his last jockey, Luke Nolan and Beau Mertens has publicly stated that he is very keen to be partnered with Supido at the Stakes.
Jockey Premiership Goals
Mertens trailed with Supido before his great Monash Stakes win and believes that he is the fastest horse in the race. Mertens wants to take part in the Bletchingly Stakes as it is the headline event before the Metropolitan Jockey Premiership. He is in competition with Ability’s jockey, Craig Williams, for the title as they are currently both locked at 72 wins each.
Williams has also raced on Supido four times and won 3 of those events. He was in talks to ride Supido out again, but then he was agreed for Ability.
The Other Two Strong Challengers
Also in the weekend meet is defending champion Lord of the Sky who took the win in 2016 at the Bletchingly Stakes. He claimed a 6th position at the Monash Stakes this year, marking his return to professional racing after an 11 month absence.
Joining them as well will be Murt The Flirt who had a great run at the Monash Stakes this year, finishing in third place.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Betway | | 4.9/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now Review |
| 4 |  | Picklebet | | 4.6/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now Review |
More About Gary Hicks
When it comes to knowing what’s going on, on the track, field or any other sporting arena, Gary Hicks is your man. With an almost unrivalled passion for journalism, sports and betting Gary decided to combine his love of all 3 and share his expertise with the world.
In the last few years Gary has risen through the ranks and prides himself on always keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening in the sports betting world. Gary is the resident news expert at OnlineBettingNZ.co.nz and his articles make for invaluable fodder for any avid punter.
You May Also Like:
NZ Sport Agency Reacts To Fisher Departure
Canoe Racing New Zealand has been top-ordered to make immediate work of addressing new allegations of a culture of mistreatment being at play within the organisation’s elite women’s squad. The ….
Petition Signed To Save Rugby Grandstand
Sport, and certainly also in particular the 96-year-old Taihape Memorial grandstand, means a great deal to members of the Taihape community. Which is why Taihape’s Heritage Group on Thursday brought ….
Marc Marquez Wins Sixth MotoGP Title
Marc Marquez has claimed his sixth MotoGP world title – the fourth in a row – after winning at his latest event in Thailand. The 26 year old, who had ….
Anthoine Hubert Dies During Belgian GP
French driver Anthoine Hubert was killed at the Belgian Grand Prix in a Formula Two accident. The 22-year-old died on the Spa-Francorchamps high-speed track after a 160 mph crash. Hubert ….
BMW’s Da Costa Wins Formula E Opener
Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa held off a late-stage charge from defending world champion Jean-Eric Vergne to go on to win the opening race for the Formula E season that’s ….