Although neither of Alex Rae’s previous winners in the Creswick Sprint Series heats will be present at Flemington for this Saturday’s final, the emerging Cranbourne trainer still has a legitimate contender aiming for the trophy.
The progressive gelding Blankfield is slated to represent the stable in the $175,000 Listed 1200-metre event designated for three-year-olds. I’m Foxing, who achieved a commanding victory in the final Creswick heat at Caulfield last Saturday, is being set aside for the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide, while the final has come around too soon for June 20 heat winner I’mateez.
However, it is far from a mere speculative effort for Blankfield. The Blue Point gelding has recorded wins in both of his starts this preparation, with each victory occurring over the distance scheduled for Saturday’s race. Rae confirmed that his attention had been firmly fixed on 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 narrowly defeated Prestar in a benchmark 64 race at Caulfield on May 27. Finishing third in that same event was Afterberna, who went on to win at Caulfield last Saturday and is also an entrant for the Creswick Final. Barari and Wise Inlaw, who secured the quinella in the Creswick heat at Flemington on June 6, the Group 3 placed horse Recuperato, and the blueblood filly Chains Of Love are among the other notable entries for the Creswick Final.
Blankfield’s progression has occurred concurrently with a career-best run for Rae, who has trained 15 winners from his last 48 starters. I’mateez provided him with only his second winner at Flemington two weekends ago, almost eight years after his initial success, and he has the potential to double his tally again this weekend.
Enna’s Dream is entered for the Leilani Series Final, where she will attempt to make it back-to-back 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 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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