While neither of Alex Rae’s previous winners in the Creswick Sprint Series heats will compete in this Saturday’s Flemington final, the young Cranbourne trainer still has a strong contender for the trophy.
The progressive gelding Blankfield is set to represent the stable in the $175,000 Listed 1200-metre event for three-year-olds. I’m Foxing, who secured a decisive victory in the final Creswick heat at Caulfield last Saturday, is being saved for the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide. Meanwhile, the final has come around too quickly for I’mateez, a winner of the June 20 heat.
However, it’s far from a long shot for Blankfield. The Blue Point gelding has been victorious in both of his starts this campaign, each over the distance scheduled for Saturday’s race. Rae indicated that his focus shifted entirely to the Creswick Sprint Series Final following 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 triumphed by a narrow margin over Prestar in a benchmark 64 race at Caulfield on May 27. Afterberna finished third in that same event and has since won at Caulfield last Saturday, also being entered for the Creswick Final. Other notable entries for the Creswick Final include Barari and Wise Inlaw, who finished first and second respectively in the Creswick heat at Flemington on June 6, the Group 3 placegetter Recuperato, and the well-bred filly Chains Of Love.
Blankfield’s ascent has coincided with a career-best performance period for Rae, who has trained 15 winners from his last 48 starters. I’mateez delivered his second Flemington winner two weeks prior, marking the first since his initial success nearly eight years ago, and he has an opportunity to double that tally again this weekend.
Enna’s Dream is slated for the Leilani Series Final, where she aims to achieve 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 among 16 entries for the Leilani Final, a 1400m event for fillies and mares, which could also feature Fancify, Lady Jones, Grid Girl, Duchess Zou, and Miss Aria.
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