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The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes ran on Saturday, July 25, 2026 as a potential lead-up to the Group 1 spring races later in the year and was won in an impressive 2.5 length winning return by the favourite Cosmic Crusader ($3.60F). 

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Bletchingly Stakes results and finishing order at Caulfield on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

• 1st: No. 1 Cosmic Crusader ($3.60F)
• 2nd: No. 7 Winnasedge
• 3rd: No. 2 Recommendation

Winning Margin: 2.5 lengths

Winning Time: 1:10.63

Cosmic Crusader ($3.60F) announced himself as a spring-bound force with a dominant Melbourne debut, sweeping home along the rail to head the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes results at Caulfield in emphatic fashion. First-up after 224 days and dropping sharply from his Northerly Stakes winning trip in WA, the Maurice gelding settled near the tail before jockey Daniel Stackhouse elected to stay inside as others fanned wide, a move that proved decisive. In just a handful of strides he powered past the on-pace pair Winnasedge and Zou Sensation, surging clear for a soft two-and-a-half-length victory that underlined the gulf in class between him and his rivals. Now trained by Andrea Leek, the $1.64 million earner looks perfectly placed to build on this sharp 1200m kick-off, with upcoming targets such as the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (August 15) and Group 1 Memsie Stakes (August 29) beckoning as his Melbourne campaign ramps up.

The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes returns as Caulfield’s final major winter sprint, and Races.com.au readers are already tuning into the latest Bletchingly Stakes odds and expert Bletchingly Stakes betting insights for this Group 3 weight-for-age showdown. Traditionally a key stepping-stone into Melbourne’s early spring features, the race regularly attracts sharp 1200m performers, resuming stars and fit winter campaigners looking to strike before the big races arrive. With Caulfield’s fast-run tempo, proven track specialists and market-moving stable plans for the spring all shaping the betting picture, this page delivers the essential trends, stats and value angles punters need — your complete Races.com.au guide to one of Victoria’s most influential late-winter sprint features.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest Bletchingly Stakes odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this winter.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Bletchingly Stakes 2026 Tips on the Melbourne sprint this winter.

The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes is a 1200m sprint race contested at Caulfield Racecourse in late July towards the end of the winter racing season.

Run under weight-for-age conditions, the Bletchingly Stakes attracts gallopers at the tail-end of their winter campaigns and also makes a nice early starting point for sprinters tracking towards the tougher upcoming races held during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Worth a total of $200,000 prize money, the Bletchingly Stakes field often features runners that had a lead-up run in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at the same Caulfield track a fortnight earlier. Rubitano (2002) and Recommendation (2024) are the latest sprinter sto do the Sir John Monash Stakes – Bletchingly Stakes double in the same year.

Horses that race in the Bletchingly Stakes often progress onto other events such as the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) in mid-August or even the opening elite level race of the spring – the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Shoot Out (2010) completed the Bletchingly Stakes – P.B. Lawrence Stakes double, while in 2018 the Bletchingly Stakes was won by the previous season’s Memsie Stakes winner Vega Magic (2017). The following year, Scales Of Justice (2019) took out the Bletchingly – Memsie double.

The 2022 Bletchingly Stakes form was franked with the winner King Of Sparta returning in the summer of 2023 to win the $1 million Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast. The third-placed mare Mariamia further franked the form winning the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) in Sydney in the summer – autumn of 2023.

The 2025 Bletchingly Stakes winner, Bridal Waltz, would go on to enjoy a strong spring campaign that included placings in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (2nd) and Group 2 McEwen Stakes (3rd). She also returned in the autumn of 2026 and finished runner-up in Adelaide’s Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes
Date:	Saturday, July 25, 2026
Track:	Caulfield Racecourse
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	Weight-for-age
Status:	Group 3
Prize Money:	$200,000

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Betting

The winters’ best Bletchingly Stakes 2026 betting odds and market links to Ladbrokes.com.au will be posted here at Races.com.au the week of the race.

Viridine ($2.70 in 2020), Recommendation ($1.40 in 2024), Bridal Waltz ($4.60 equal favourite in 2025) and Cosmic Crusader ($3.60 in 2026) are the latest favourites in Bletchingly Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Form

The Bletchingly Stakes form guide gives punters a complete breakdown of every runner contesting Caulfield’s final major winter sprint. As a 1200m weight-for-age Group 3, the race often features a mix of seasoned sprinters, fresh spring hopefuls and fit winter campaigners looking to strike before the new season ramps up. The form guide highlights each horse’s recent runs, preferred racing pattern, Caulfield track stats, and how they’re expected to map in a race that traditionally rewards tactical speed and sustained pressure. For punters analysing Bletchingly Stakes odds and shaping confident Bletchingly Stakes betting plays, it’s one of the most important tools on the page.

What to Look for in the Bletchingly Stakes Form Guide:

• 1200m sprint form — Horses proven at the short course are always a major factor. Consistent ratings at 1100-1200m usually translate well to Caulfield’s fast-run winter tempo.
• Weight-for-age credentials — The Bletchingly is run under WFA conditions, so punters should look for horses with strong records at level weights or proven Group-class ability.
• Caulfield track stats — Caulfield’s tighter turns and quick acceleration zones suit horses with tactical speed and a sharp turn of foot. Track specialists often outperform market expectations.
• First-up or campaign fitness — Some runners resume here ahead of bigger spring targets, while others arrive with winter fitness. Understanding each horse’s campaign stage is crucial.
• Speed-map position — Early tempo shapes this race every year. On-pace runners or those who can settle close to the lead often gain a significant advantage.
• Sectional strength — Horses with strong closing splits or sustained mid-race pressure regularly feature in the finish.
• Stable intent — Leading stables often use the Bletchingly as a springboard into bigger Melbourne features. Knowing each horse’s target races helps punters identify genuine winning chances.

FULL 2026 BLETCHINGLY STAKES FORM GUIDE

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Field

The Bletchingly Stakes field often attracts graduates out of the Sir John Monash Stakes run at the track a fortnight earlier over 100m less distance. The Bletchingly Stakes also serves as a nice early spring starting point for gallopers eyeing Group race assignments over 1400m up to a mile in the coming months.

The official Bletchingly Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barriers are released the Wednesday of race week and will be published in full below.

The 2026 Bletchingly Stakes field attracted a compact but quality line-up of just nine winter sprinters led in betting by resuming Group 1 Northerly Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Probable Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	1x1133112x	COSMIC CRUSADER (NZ)	Andrea Leek	Daniel Stackhouse	1	58.5kg			110
2	5286×36426	RECOMMENDATION	Ciaron Maher	Thomas Stockdale	9	58.5kg			98
3	6123418×50	ZOU SENSATION	Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin	Jamie Mott	8	58.5kg			103
4	0x0742658x	AZTEC RULER	Matt Laurie	Patrick Moloney	3	58.5kg			97
5	1615×54090	TITLE FIGHTER	Clayton Douglas	Luke Cartwright (a)	7	58.5kg			93
6	4592x228x5	WATCHME WIN	Andrew Gluyas	Lachlan Neindorf	6	58.5kg			102
7	15326×6311	WINNASEDGE	Nick Ryan	Luke Currie	5	58.5kg			100
8	30x31144x4	MIRAVAL ROSE	Grahame Begg	Jordan Childs	2	56.5kg			102
9	1x66548x67	SAMANGU	Grahame Begg	Michael Dee	4	56.5kg			91

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes Nominations

The full Bletchingly Stakes 2026 Nominations will be available below as soon as released by Racing Victoria the Monday leading-up to the race.

2026 Bletchingly Stakes nominations extended until 10:00am (AEST) – 21/07/2026

Bletchingly Stakes History

Inaugurated in 1994, the Bletchingly Stakes was first won by Poetic King. The Bletchingly Stakes is the last Group race of the minor Melbourne winter racing season.

The race was initially run over 1100m, up until the 2004 edition when it was first held over 1200m, the distance it remains today. Initially graded as a listed race, the Bletchingly Stakes was upgraded to Group 3 status in 1997, with Blazing Reality taking it out that year.

Notable Bletchingly Stakes winners include Poetic King (1994), Regal Roller (2005), Apache Cat (2007) and Let Go Thommo (2009). Bletchingly Stakes results since 2000 are listed below.

Bletchingly Stakes Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Cosmic Crusader	1 minute 10.63 seconds
	2nd	Winnasedge
	3rd	Recommendation
2025 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Bridal Waltz	1 minute 11.27 seconds
	2nd	Kin
	3rd	Yellow Sam
2024 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Recommendation	1 minute 12.24 seconds
	2nd	Semillion
	3rd	Marble Nine
2023 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Ingratiating	1 minute 09.53 seconds
	2nd	General Beau
	3rd	It’sourtime
2022 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	King Of Sparta	1 minute 10.88 seconds
	2nd	Scallopini
	3rd	Mariamia
2021 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Sansom	1 minute 11.76 seconds
	2nd	Streets Of Avalon
	3rd	Isaurian
2020 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Viridine	1 minute 09.16 seconds
	2nd	Streets Of Avalon
	3rd	Great Again
2019 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Scales Of Justice	1 minute 10.08 seconds
	2nd	Jungle Edge
	3rd	Cliff’s Edge
2018 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Vega Magic	1 minute 10.1 seconds
	2nd	Voodoo Lad
	3rd	Jungle Edge
2017 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Ability	1 minute 14.2 seconds
	2nd	Lankan Rupee
	3rd	Duke of Brunswick
2016 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Lord Of The Sky	1 minute 11.62 seconds
	2nd	Fast ‘N’ Rocking
	3rd	Mahuta
2015 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Smokin’ Joey	1 minute 11.2 seconds
	2nd	Platinum Rocker
	3rd	Petrology
2014 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Thiamandi	1 minute 10.7 seconds
	2nd	Gig
	3rd	Nearest To Pin
2013 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Second Effort	1 minute 11.5 seconds
	2nd	Academy Jack
	3rd	Launay
2012 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Ready To Rip	1 minute 12.8 seconds
	2nd	Zamorar
	3rd	Dusty Star
2011 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Mid Summer Music	1 minute 211.4 seconds
	2nd	Rue Maple
	3rd	Stanzout
2010 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Shoot Out	1 minute 11.7 seconds
	2nd	Stanzout
	3rd	Velocitea
2009 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Let Go Thommo	1 minute 11.5 seconds
	2nd	Orange County
	3rd	Mr Baritone
2008 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Commanding Hope	1 minute 11.2 seconds
	2nd	Lucky Diva
	3rd	Red Arrow
2007 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Apache Cat	1 minute 09.3 seconds
	2nd	Haradasun
	3rd	Honalee
2006 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Minson	1 minute 09.3 seconds
	2nd	Red Dazzler
	3rd	Snort
2005 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Regal Roller	1 minute 13.7 seconds
	2nd	Super Elegant
	3rd	Le Zagaletta
2004 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Le Zagaletta	1 minute 14.3 seconds
	2nd	Yell
	3rd	Elvstroem
2003 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Super Elegant	1 minute 06.3 seconds
	2nd	Ruby Slipper
	3rd	The Big Chill
2002 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Rubitano	1 minute 03.7 seconds
	2nd	Ruby Slipper
	3rd	Dandy Kid
2001 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Windigo	1 minute 05.1 seconds
	2nd	Piavonic
	3rd	Flavour
2000 Bletchingly Stakes	1st	Dandy Kid	1 minute 04.3 seconds
	2nd	Miss Pennymoney
	3rd	St Chrisoph

Bletchingly Stakes FAQ

What is the Bletchingly Stakes?
The Bletchingly Stakes is a Group 3 weight-for-age sprint run at Caulfield, traditionally serving as Melbourne’s final major winter feature before the spring season ramps up.

When is the 2026 Bletchingly Stakes?
The 2026 edition is held in late July at Caulfield, closing out the winter racing period and offering early clues for upcoming spring contenders.

What distance is the Bletchingly Stakes run over?
The race is run over 1200 metres, a sharp sprint trip that rewards tactical speed, strong fresh form and proven short-course ability.

How many horses run in the Bletchingly Stakes?
Field sizes generally sit around 10-14 runners, giving punters a competitive but manageable lineup to assess.

Where is the Bletchingly Stakes held?
The race takes place at Caulfield Racecourse, a track known for its tighter turns and fast-run tempo that often shapes the race’s outcome.

What type of horses target the Bletchingly Stakes?
Expect a mix of seasoned sprinters, fit winter campaigners and early-spring hopefuls resuming ahead of bigger Group races.

What should punters look for in Bletchingly Stakes betting?
Key factors include 1200m form, Caulfield track stats, weight-for-age credentials, speed-map position and sectional strength — all crucial when assessing Bletchingly Stakes odds.

Who are some notable past winners?
The race has been won by several high-class sprinters over the years, with many using the Bletchingly as a launching pad into early-spring Group races, including King Of Sparta (2022), Scales Of Justice (2018), Smokin’ Joey (2015), Second Effort (2013), Mid Summer Music (2011), and Apache Cat (2007).