Robert Smerdon is expecting another strong performance from Ability, when the classy galloper takes a position in Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Ability will take a position in Saturday’s Bletchingly Stakes field at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Ability has been a smart performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but has returned to racing a far better horse since being gelded in summer and has posted three impressive wins from as many starts this time, including the Listed All Victorian Sprint Final (1200m) last time out on July 8th.
Smerdon told AAP that he had considered sending the son of Reward For Effort for a spell following his last run, but has been thrilled with his condition and is confident that is warrants a run in the Bletchingly Stakes 2017.
“He hasn’t missed a beat since,” Smerdon said.
“We were open-minded whether to give him a break but thought he was ticking over and I looked at the Monash Stakes and thought that was probably going to be the race barring one or two more. So he’ll line up.”
Stamping himself as one to watch when debuting for a smart second in a Swan Hill sprint over 975m in June 2015, Ability has subsequently posted six wins and a further four minors through only fifteen career starts.
Resuming last winter for fourth in the VRC Recognition Handicap (1100m), Ability returned to winning form in the Bendigo Bank BM70 (1100m) before running third in the Ladbrokes Challenge (1000m) at Sandown most notably on August 24th.
Sent to the paddock after failing to produce much in the Jeep 55 Second Challenge BM78 (955m) on September 23rd, Ability trialled well following his gelding and returned to the races this time for a dominant win in the Cafetto BM78 (1000m) at Moonee Valley on June 3rd.
Poking clear of a classy field to win the Country Achiever Gerald Egan Handicap (1100m) on June 24th, Ability was settled just behind the early pace in the All Victorian Sprint Final and mustered his superior turn of foot once more to win the race by a length.
The 2017 Bletchingly Stakes final field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
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