I photographed Mr Baritone after he'd been rugged following his win in the Stradbroke back in 2008 as a 30/1 chance. He ran some top races in the Brisbane Carnival this year - and he should run a race at good odds tomorrow in the Bletchingly. See how proud he is to be in front of the Justracing camera? He's obviously a smart horse.
The Bletchingly Stakes is Race 6 of an eight race card at Caulfield tomorrow and is set down for decision at 3.07pm.
Run at weight-for-age, the Bletchingly is worth $125,000 with the winner getting $75,000 – and that is not to be sneezed at.
The Bletchingly is always a good race, as a lot of horses use the race as a stepping stone to the riches of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
In tomorrow’s Bletchingly six of the 11 runners (54.55%) are resuming from spells and those six horses are Douro Valley, Secret Flyer, Apprehend, Shoot Out, Tollesprit and Velocitea.
The Bletchingly Stakes, a Group 3 race, is named after the well performed stallion Bletchingly. He won four races and his best win was undoubtedly in the 1975 season in The Galaxy at Randwick when he defeated Sizzler and Grey Out.
During his subsequent career at stud Bletchingly was named “Champion Australian Sire” three times and “Champion Australian Juvenile Sire” once. His legacy lives on today via his sons that have stood at stud - the most notable being Canny Lad.
My thoughts on the Bletchingly Stakes are:
|
HORSE
|
COMMENT
|
|
MR BARITONE
|
Some of his runs in the Brisbane Winter Carnival were really good. He’ll handle weight-for-age better than many of these and he likes wet tracks. His only query is the one placing in five runs at Caulfield, so he may not like the joint.
|
|
DOURO VALLEY
|
His form contains more zero’s than the Melbourne telephone directory - so no.
|
|
ROYAL IDA
|
Not a horse of mine, as I think his best days are behind him.
|
|
STANZOUT
|
Resembled Bernborough flying home last start so if he can put two runs together he’s a chance.
|
|
SECRET FLYER
|
Not likely first up.
|
|
APPREHEND
|
A handy stayer and a “handy stayer” can always run a race fresh, so he’s worth throwing in all exotics.
|
|
KEANO
|
Good run last start, but he’s a hard horse to follow and rarely runs two races alike – unless they are bad ones.
|
|
SHOOT OUT
|
One publication said today “He might be a star if he isn’t already.” Gee I’m a bad judge then, as I’ve never considered him a “star”. I couldn’t have him here at a short price – at his first run the Melbourne way of going.
|
|
TOLLESPRIT
|
A talented galloper and potentially the best horse in the race. If he’s right for a first up tilt he’s the horse to beat here, not Shoot Out. He’s never started on a “slow” or “heavy” track however.
|
|
VELOCITEA
|
Beat Catapulted fair and square in the Goodwood before spelling. Likes Caulfield, likes being fresh, the query is that she’s never started on a “slow” or “heavy” track.
|
|
ELUMINO
|
A consistent mare jumping dramatically in class here, but she’s fit and she’s a good wet tracker who is unbeaten at the track - so she’s not hopeless.
|
CONCLUSION: I’d back Mr Baritone each way.
