Rae's Creswick hopes pinned on Blankfield

Alex Rae, a young Cranbourne trainer, still has a strong contender for the Creswick Sprint Series Final this Saturday at Flemington, despite neither of his heat winners qualifying.

Progressive gelding Blankfield will carry the stable's hopes in the $175,000 Listed 1200-metre race for three-year-olds. I'm Foxing, the impressive winner of the final Creswick heat at Caulfield last Saturday, is being set for the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide, and the final has arrived too soon for June 20 heat victor I'mateez.

However, Blankfield's chances are far from remote. The Blue Point gelding has won his initial two starts this season, both over the distance contested in Saturday's race. Rae confirmed that his focus had squarely shifted to the Creswick Sprint Series Final after Blankfield's last-start triumph on Caulfield's Heath track.

"The 1200 down the straight is going to suit him," Rae remarked. "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 edged out Prestar in a benchmark 64 race at Caulfield on May 27. The third-placed horse in that event, Afterberna, went on to win at Caulfield last Saturday and is also nominated for the Creswick Final. Barari and Wise Inlaw, who claimed the quinella in the Creswick heat at Flemington on June 6, along with Group 3 placegetter Recuperato and the blueblood filly Chains Of Love, are among the other contenders for the Creswick Final.

Blankfield's upward trajectory aligns with a career-best period for Rae, who has saddled 15 winners from his past 48 starters. I'mateez provided him with only his second Flemington winner two weekends ago, nearly eight years after his first, 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 aim for back-to-back victories after her win 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. Fancify, Lady Jones, Grid Girl, Duchess Zou, and Miss Aria are also potential participants.

Betting markets for the Creswick Sprint Series Final are already buzzing with activity at leading online bookmakers.