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Beirut unlikely for Bletchingly Stakes

Jul 25th, 2016Jul 25th, 2016

In-form mare Beirut is likely to miss the Bletchingly Stakes and be saved a week for her shot at black-type.

The front-running sprinter, winner of her past four starts, has been nominated for Saturday's Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and also a fillies and mares event over the same distance.

The Bletchingly attracted 14 nominations on Monday.

Trainer Henry Dwyer said after looking at the entries he believed the race did not look suitable for the mare who is expected to head to stud after her next start.

"There's just a bit too much speed in there to warrant going there. We might wait for the Aurie's Star on Saturday week," Dwyer said.

"The aim is to get some black type. There's either the Aurie's Star or there's a race in Adelaide, the Spring Stakes.

"One of those two will be the go, I would say."

The Aurie's Star is a handicap whereas the Bletchingly is weight-for-age.

Dwyer has sent Beirut to spend time on a water walker since her last start to freshen up.

"She's been up a long time now," he said.

"She's given a few indications she might be coming to the end of it so just in a last-ditch attempt to get one more good run out of her, we've tried to keep her as fresh as we can."

Beirut landed her first Saturday city win last Saturday week at Caulfield.

It followed wins at Sandown, Cranbourne and Sandown at her three previous starts.