Bletchingly Stakes Day is already here and that typically means the spring isn't far away.
The 2017 Bletchingly Stakes appears a strong one on paper with the return of superstar sprinter Lankan Rupee probably the highlight of the day.
Having said that, it's been well over two years since we have seen him at his top and he looks extremely well found in the early betting given that he is almost sure to be ring rusty for his return.
His spring cameo was actually very solid given his set backs. A third giving weight to fit and firing, and more importantly fairly smart, sprinters in the Caulfield Stakes looked an over-achievement given his circumstance and the same could be said of his fourth in the Darley Classic.
Race favourite Supido has an edge against a couple of key rivals having had a run, and a win, in the lead up. After briefly looking in an awkward spot in the Monash Stakes Supido did a good job to win the race and probably did it with plenty in hand in the end but it is worth noting that the win, over the admirable but well exposed Daytona Grey, came in fairly plain figures and it's hard to get overly excited about what he achieved there.
The early betting probably agrees with that somewhat. He's near to $4.00 than $2.50 and, as was the case in the Monash, he is probably neither a buy or a sell at those odds.
There's an each way play lurking in the field for us, though, and it comes in the form of Keen Array who returns in a race that he is good enough to win if on his game.
Timeform ratings will tell you that Keen Array is every bit as well performed as Supido at his top and Caulfield has been his venue of choice, winning his three stakes races over the Caulfield 1200m.
Early prices around 10-1 don't seem to do his chance justice.
For a bet of the day we will play up in the last with Cosmic Lights who has a nice ratings edge on the field based on recent form.
He's slipped out to eight runs without a win now but he is racing better than he ever has. Luckless efforts at Sale and Caulfield rated well and he confirmed his current level when running on in the always competitive Winter Championship Final last time.
If he can run up to that level again, and there is little reason to think that he can't with a hungry Craig Williams back to do the steering, then he is going to make life very difficult for his rivals on Saturday.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 9 #11 Cosmic Lights @ $4.60
Each Way Play: Race 8 #2 Keen Array @ $11.00
