Alex Rae, a young Cranbourne-based trainer, still holds a viable chance of winning the Creswick Sprint Series Final this Saturday at Flemington, even though his two heat winners won’t be participating.
The promising gelding Blankfield is set to represent Rae’s stable in the $175,000 Listed 1200-metre race designed for three-year-olds. I’m Foxing, who impressively won the final heat of the Creswick Sprint Series at Caulfield last Saturday, is being kept for the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide. Furthermore, the timing of the final has proven too soon for I’mateez, the victor of the June 20 heat.
Nevertheless, Blankfield’s prospects are far from insignificant. The Blue Point gelding has achieved victory in both of his starts this preparation, with each win occurring over the distance scheduled for Saturday’s race. Rae confirmed that his attention had been solely focused on the Creswick Sprint Series Final since Blankfield’s most recent win on Caulfield’s Heath track.
“The 1200 down the straight is going to suit him,” Rae stated. “It might be a bit of a stiffer test, but he’s going really well and we’ve been targeting the race the last three weeks, so he’ll be a chance for sure.”
Blankfield narrowly defeated Prestar in a benchmark 64 race held at Caulfield on May 27. Third place in that contest was secured by Afterberna, who subsequently won at Caulfield last Saturday and is also among the entries for the Creswick Final. Other notable contenders for the Creswick Final include Barari and Wise Inlaw, who ran the quinella in the Creswick heat at Flemington on June 6, the Group 3 placed runner Recuperato, and the highly regarded filly Chains Of Love.
Blankfield’s rise in prominence has coincided with a period of career-best form for Rae, who has trained 15 winners from his last 48 runners. I’mateez provided him with only his second winner at Flemington two weekends ago, almost eight years after his initial success there. He has an opportunity to double his Flemington tally again this weekend.
Enna’s Dream is entered for the Leilani Series Final, where she will be aiming for consecutive wins following her victory at Murray Bridge on June 13. “She’s good enough to run well there,” Rae commented. “Obviously it’s going to be a stiff test, but she’ll bob up in a race like that one day.” Enna’s Dream was one of sixteen entries for the Leilani Final, a 1400m event for fillies and mares. Fancify, Lady Jones, Grid Girl, Duchess Zou, and Miss Aria are also potential participants in this race.
Explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites for this weekend’s feature races.
