3 minute read

Promising two-year-old Monkstone stamped himself as an above average galloper with a pleasing second on debut and he can go one better in the opener to a good Bletchingly Stakes Day at Caulfield.

Monkstone stepped away poorly on debut and was always placed in a tricky position from there but the way he finished off showed himself to be a good talent to follow going forward.

He was unable to reel in the winner but he closed strongly to smoke the rest in a race that returned solid figures across the board.

That performance has him rated clear of those with exposed form today and the first starters are worth gambling against at current odds.

With the bank hopefully built it’s time to play one and it could prove well worth forgiving Kukla her first up run in race three.

Kukla found plenty of traffic throughout her first up run but did briefly shape as though ready to run right into the finish and her form from last campaign gives her a massive look at this.

She should improve sharply for the step up to 1400m and appeals as a good each way play at double-figure odds.

Flawlessly was an impressive maiden winner at Werribee last time and looks an untapped talent but it comes as a surprise that she has gone up favourite in the fourth race on the card.

Her Werribee form, depending on how it is interpreted, can have her right in the mix here but she certainly has more on her plate today and will have to step up to beat those who have been competing in similar races this time in.

Nisos was a good winner in similar last time and should cope upped in trip while Spring Cheer is one fancied to relish the longer journey after closing strongly last time from a long way back.

THE MELBOURNE MAIL:

The Banker: Race 1 #12 Monkstone @ $3.00

Lay of the Day: Race 4 #14 Flawlessly @ $3.70