It was interstate form to the fore in the feature event the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200 metres) at Caulfield on Saturday with visitors filling the placings.
The race was taken out by the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained three-year-old gelding King Of Sparta victorious.
King Of Sparta, ridden by the 2021-22 season Champion Melbourne jockey Jye McNeil held off Brisbane visitor Scallopini in a close photo and another Sydneysider Mariamia finished third.
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Co-trainer Paul Snowden suggested the stable could look at The Golden Eagle at Rosehill as a target.
The highlight of the meeting was the sublime riding of star jockey Craig Williams who ride four winners in a great confidence booster for the forthcoming spring carnival..
Williams won three races in a row beginning in the third race with Passione ($12). He followed up with victories on promising three-year-old stayers Sing For Peace ($3.50 fav) and Teewaters ($3.60). His final winner was $16 winner Throntari in the three-year-old fillies 1200 metres event.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
BERKELEY SQUARE
Impressive ran on effort from the two-year-old gelding to come from last to finish second to the smart Boogie Dancer. Also, he was slightly unlucky as stewards noted he was held up for a run between the 300 metres and the 200 metres mark. When he got into the clear he recorded the fastest last 400 metres (22.80 seconds) and 200 metres (11.69 seconds) for the meeting. Probably not suited by barrier one.
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UNUSUAL CULTURE
Given an easy time in the early stages of the race with jockey Linda Meech electing to ease her to the rear of the field from barrier 12. She also covered ground but ran home strongly in the second fastest 400 metres (22.98) and 200 metres (11.71) for the meeting) to finish seventh. Next start over 1600 metres she will go close.
SING FOR PEACE
Lightly raced son of Tavistock who looked beaten before the turn as he was struggling and lost his gun spot in the 2400 metres three-year-old event. Williams then eased him to the middle of the track and he sprinted over the top of his rivals to win by a length. Patrick Payne has a promising young stayer on his hands.
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TEEWATERS
Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander pulled the right rein when he decided to take on the older horses rather than his age group with Victoria Derby placegetter Teewaters, who easily won the VOBIS Gold Stayers. Williams and Teewaters controlled the event sitting in third placing and the race looked over a long way out. He went on to win by three and a quarter lengths, running a faster time than Sing For Peace and also carrying two kilos more. Alexander will aim him for the Bendigo and Geelong Cups.
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