Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Bruno Cannatelli

In its short history the Blue Sapphire Stakes has emerged as the ideal lead-up to a much sought-after Group One race at Flemington.

The $350,000 race for three-year-olds at Caulfield on Wednesday will be run for the seventh time with its entire honour roll of winners heading to the Coolmore Stud Stakes on November 3 – the opening day of Melbourne Cup week.

Flying Artie claimed the double in 2016 while either side of his success Keen Array (2015) went on to run second at Flemington and in 2017 Formality finished third behind Merchant Navy.

In 2013 Lion Of Belfort ran third to Zoustar at Flemington which led to the race being granted Listed status when Eloping won in 2014, gaining a further upgrade for 2016.

The race has proven successful for Lindsay Park through Keen Array and Formality and the stable has two of the six starters on Wednesday.

David Hayes, who trains in partnership with son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, expects the stable’s runners Tony Nicconi and Smart Elissim to perform well.

Tony Nicconi won his first two starts before jarring up when 12th behind Native Soldier in the McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on September 1.

“We’ve given him a couple of weeks on the water walker and he seems to have recovered well,” Hayes said.

“That run was too bad to be true so if you can forgive it you’ll find that he’s a pretty competitive horse.”

Like his stablemate, Smart Elissim won his first two starts before being dispatched to Sydney with a view to contest the Golden Rose at Rosehill.

After pleasing in his Sydney debut when finishing third in the Up And Coming Stakes, Smart Elissim failed on a heavy track in the Run To The Rose.

“We gave him a bit of a freshen up and he seems to have bounced through it alright.

“We’ve also nominated him for a 1400-metre race on Saturday just in case Wednesday’s track became a heavy 10, or something crazy like that.”

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au