In-form mare Catkins will have the chance to record back-to-backs when she contests the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Catkins is chasing her first Group 2 victory in the Blazer Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart

Catkins (barrier six) was one of seventeen quality mares included in the final acceptances for the $220,000 Group 2 Blazer Stakes that will be as the final race on the action-packed ten race Flemington card; with barriers set to fly at 5.45pm.

The Dubawi mare has been in sensational form this campaign; finishing second in the Hurlstone Park RSL Club Handicap (1200m) and the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1200m) before recording her first win at Group level in the Sportingbet Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on September 21.

Also backing up from the Sportingbet Sprint will be runner-up Hi Belle (barrier two), Peter Moody-trained A Time For Julia (barrier four), the out of form Balaclava Lady (barrier eleven 11), Darren Weir-trained Lake Sentenita (barrier 17) and the New Zealand-bred Perfectly Stunning (barrier 12).

Catkins won’t have it her own way in the Blazer Stakes; with a number of other exciting mares included in the final field for the race.

Patinack Farm-owned Peron (barrier 11) will contest the Group 2 event after she was scratched from the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Sunday.

Peron stamped herself as a horse to watch with a progressive campaign during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and returned to the races with an unlucky second place finish behind Driefontein in the Group 3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 14.

Also coming off a strong first-up performance is Group 1 winning mare Maybe Discreet who finished third carrying the weighty impost of 59kg in the Listed W H Wylie Handicap (1100m) at Morphettville just under a fortnight ago.

Arguably the most interesting runner in the 2013 Blazer Stakes final field is Zurella who will be returning to the races for the first time since finished seventh behind Moriarty in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.

The Zabeel mare was set for the 2012 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) after her impressive victory in last year’s edition of the Let’s Elope Stakes but failed to fire for the remainder of her preparation.

Zurella raced at Group 1 level throughout the autumn and winter but wasn’t able to add another win to her racing resume with a fifth place finish behind Appearance in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) her best result.

Other interesting Blazer Stakes entries include the inconsistent Flying Snitzel, Robert Heathcote-trained Fire Up Fifi and the resuming Epingle.

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2013 Blazer Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Flemington Race 10 – 5:45pm (AEST) – 05/10/2013