Velocitea A Bletchingly Stakes Special
- Friday, 30 July 2010 01:05
Trainer Mick Price believes Velocitea is an each way special in tomorrow's $125,000 Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The Group One winning mare will resume at her favourite track and distance, Price acknowledging he will be disappointed if she's not in the finish.
"I would be disappointed if she didn't finish in the first three," said Price.
"The 1200m has been good for her, Caulfield has been good for her and I suppose you could say it's a home track advantage."
The Bletchingly Stakes has always been Price's first option to kick off the four-year-old Volksraad mare's campaign and he is confident she is ready to win.
"She likes to be fresh and doesn't need a lot of work," said Price.
"She has the fitness of two nice trials going into Saturday's race and has won twice first up."
Despite winning seven of eighteen starts, and earnings of almost $600,000, Price believes the mare has been well placed and admits she hasn't shown him a great deal of improvement since spelling after the Goodwood.
"I don't know if she has improved from last time in, but I don't know if she had to," said Price.
"I actually think that she has had good gates and every chance in all her runs, so placement has been important, but it's racing and you need that.
"You still have to be good enough to win," Price added.
Velocitea has fared well again for the Bletchingly Stakes drawing barrier six and will carry 56.5kg with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
Photos By Fiona Tomlin.
