Recommendation Claims the Monash - Bletchingly Double

Mark Smith - Saturday July 27

The favourite Recommendation led home a 1-2 for Shalaa (IRE) in Saturday’s $200,000 Group III Race-tech Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield to become the third horse to capture the Monash – Bletchingly double.  

Recommendation shows a clean pair of heels (image Grant Courtney)

Given a positive ride by Blake Shinn, Recommendation led at every call to defeat Semillion (Shalaa) by two lengths, with the 3-year-old gelding Marble Nine (Kobayashi) back in third.

The rising 5-year-old gelding was coming off a 7-length romp in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 13.

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With his fourth stakes success, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding advances his record to eight wins, three seconds, and three third from 18 starts with earnings of $842,785.

“He has come back a better horse. He only had a short time out, and he is in dynamite form, which sets him up for a big spring,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said.

“Chatting with Ciaron, the Bobbie Lewis (Quality) is a possibility, and plan for a race like the Manikato.”

A fourth stakes win (image Grant Courtney)

 Bred by Pacific King Pty Ltd, Recommendation, races for a large group of owners, which include Nick and Gail Psaltis.

He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Adviso (USA), a daughter of the 4-time Grade 1 winner Proviso (Dansili).

Adviso has a yearling sister to Recommendation, who was a $150,000 purchase for Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA)/Omen Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

After foaling a filly by The Autumn Sun last spring, Adviso (USA) was covered by Snitzel.

Invincible Spirit’s Group 1 Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny winner Shalaa (IRE) stands at Woodside Park Stud for $19,800 in 2024.

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Race Result - Race-Tech Bletchingly Stakes Gr3 1200m

Caulfield Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:12.24
1
Recommendation
- 4g Shalaa (IRE) x Adviso (USA) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: B Shinn 58.5
Shalaa
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Psd $90000 Res $100000
2
1.8
Semillion
- 4g Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jordan Childs 58.5
Shalaa
3
2
Marble Nine
- 3g Kobayashi (AUS) x Aura Lee (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Ben Allen 58
Kobayashi
MM Gold Coast March Yearling Sale $55,000
Seller: Figtree Thoroughbreds, Biddaddaba, Qld (As Agent)
Buyer: Kelly Schweida Racing
4
3
Mrs Chrissie
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Turf Fire (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 56.5
5
5
Machinist
- 4g Lord Of The Sky (AUS) x Maquina (AUS) (Archway (IRE))
Tnr: Jack Laing Rdr: Patrick Moloney 58.5
6
7.7
Honey Girl
- 5m Mayson (GB) x Fleeting Image (GB) (Sir Percy (GB))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: L Nolen 56.5
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