Small entry for Bletchingly Stakes field

Nominations for the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield have been extended with 11 horses entered for the Group 3 contest.

A small field of eight went around in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 13 and the likelihood is for a similar sized number for the 1200m Bletchingly on Saturday.

Sir John Monash winner Recommendation and third-placed Mrs Chrissie are entered along with Ashford Street (fourth) and Mornington Glory (fifth).

The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained Crosshaven is among the 11 nominations, but the likelihood is that he will be reserved for the opening Stakes race of the new season, the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 3.

Crosshaven has found his best form at his past two starts, winning over 1100m at Flemington on June 22 then finishing second over 1200m at that track on July 6.

“We’ve kept him fresh, and he’s found form,” Ben Hayes said.

“They’ve been great runs and he’s been hitting the line nice and strong, and we’ve purposefully kept him down the straight.”

Another sprinter bypassing the Bletchingly in favour of the Aurie’s Star will be Right To Party after registering wins at her past two starts down the Flemington straight.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly became a Black Type winner when taking out the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at her most recent start.

Sam Freedman said the filly, who turns four in the new season, had just returned to the stable after doing some dressage work since her last win.

“We’ll keep her to the straight for the time being,” Freedman said.

“I’m not staying she’s just a straight horse, but we’ve changed her training and whilst that race is there, we thought why not, and she’ll be fit and well and she likes the straight.

“We have worked out that less is more works well for her. She lacked that killer punch before, but now she’s got that.”