Only six horses have accepted into the field for Wednesday’s Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and understandably, Written By has opened an odds-on favourite in betting.
Written By was arguably the standout performer of his age-group throughout the two-year-old season and was an impressive winner of each of his first four starts; three at black type level including the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at this track and distance most notably.
The Written Tycoon colt took up the running in a 1000m dash here at Caulfield first-up and held on to beat a smart field, and he will only improve off the effort and stepping up to 1200m.
Jordan Childs can take the horse straight to the lead from barrier 2 and he will be extremely difficult to run down.
The beautifully-bred Encryption ($5) will carry winning form into this race and looms as the biggest danger to Written By in Blue Sapphire Stakes betting.
By Lonhro and out of multiple Group 1 winner Guelph, Encryption showed all the right signs of a good horse as a two-year-old, but looks to have returned a far-more furnished prospect this time.
Having clearly required the run when eighth in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) first-up, Encryption was blocked for a run turning for home in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) second-up but savaged the line for fifth, before producing a career-best performance to win the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) from the tail of the field last time out.
He is rock-hard fit and could enjoy the run of the race from barrier 4, with Craig Williams aboard.
Plenty of hype has followed the career of Performer ($8.50) after he debuted for a smart win in the Listed Breeders’ Plate last year and while he is yet to live up to the billing, he clearly has the talent to win a race of the Blue Sapphire’s calibre.
He’s had the benefit of a trial since over-racing in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) and a change in rider for the first time (Hugh Bowman to Kerrin McEvoy) in his career may prove positive.
The Henry Dwyer-trained Spielberg has only had one career start to date but interestingly, he has continued to receive plenty of interest in Blue Sapphire Stakes betting and is the $20 market mover, having opened at $26.
The son of Written Tycoon showed decent ability at the trials prior to making his debut, and stamped himself as a colt to follow when he ran on well to win by half a length at Ballarat two weeks ago.
This is obviously a big step up in class, but he’s sure to have taken plenty of benefit and improvement from his debut and looks good enough to fight out the finish.
Tony Nicconi ($7.50) and Smart Elissim ($11) complete the 2018 Blue Sapphire Stakes field.