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The Group Three Bletchingly Stakes is the final feature on the 2012/2013 racing calendar, though the race typically has race fans looking forward rather than backwards.

TIMEFORM RACE PREVIEW

The Group Three Bletchingly Stakes is the final feature on the 2012/2013 racing calendar, though the race typically has race fans looking forward rather than backwards.

In recent years high class gallopers such as Shoot Out and Apache Cat have made an early start on spring campaigns by winning the Bletchingly. This year’s renewal, however, lacks any of their calibre.

Apache Cat’s win over Haradasun in 2007 remains the highest rated performance (and by some way) in the race in modern times with the closest being the 2002 success of Newmarket winner Rubitano.

Rubitano was the last horse to complete the Monash/Bletchingly double and it will be that double that an in-form Pago Rock chases today.

Pago Rock is no Rubitano, who went on to post a high class piece of form winning the Salinger later that spring, but his winning performance in the Monash was up to scratch and only a couple of pounds shy of the form that Rubitano put up to win the same race back in 2002.

The Monash shapes as the key form race for today with the first three past the post there coming into this with the best recent figures in the book.

Under the same conditions there is little reason to think that Pago Rock, a winner of ten of his eighteen starts, won’t take the prize again.

Talented filly Elite Elle, second to Pago Rock in the Monash, runs for trainer Tony Vasil who interestingly produced the smart sprinter Super Elegant to win this race in 2003 on the back of a placed effort in the Monash.

Elite Elle is the likely leader but she isn’t likely to get things her own way in front, with the likes of Tackleberry, Mr Make Believe and Sea Lord all expected to push forward, but it is worth noting that she is a filly capable of running solid time figures from on speed and cut in the ground is a big plus for her.

Cut in the ground is a massive plus for Second Effort, third in the Bletchingly, and he should improve on that effort into today with the step to 1200m in his favour.

Second Effort went to a new peak at this time last year, winning the Lawrence Stakes and finishing close up in the Memsie, and was back in that form two ago when taking out a second Wangoom Handicap giving weight all around at the ’Bool.

He was just off his top last time, back from a short break, but ran on well with a return to his peak here easily foreseeable and that would make him mighty hard to beat.

Another that would be hard to beat with a return to form is Zamorar who was down the track in the Monash despite being well fancied in that event after a pleasing return being Pago Rock at Flemington.

There didn’t appear to be any excuse for the flop and it is the second time he has done that in three starts now, raising a few alarm bells.

Looking away from the Monash form line we find the ever consistent Launay who returns from a spell.

He has the form to give this a big shake and a good first up record for all that he has typically found one or two better.

Expect him to run well here, though those with race fitness are fancied to come out on top at this point with the selection being Pago Rock to confirm the Monash form and confirm the old punters saying, “Winners keep on winning.”