RAIDER WINS BLETCHINGLY

King Of Sparta wins Bletchingly Stakes

Sydney based runner King Of Sparta claimed the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes by defeating Queenslands Scallopini in a hard fought contest at Caulfield.

In betting King of Sparta had blown out significantly to the $7.50 mark as the rain persistently fell in Melbourne. However the Peter and Paul Snowden showed little concern for the quickly deteriorating track digging deep to win by a head.

Jockey Jye McNeil did well aboard the Snowden runner with King Of Sparta hanging badly in the final 100m.

“It was a concern whether he would handle today’s conditions or not,” McNeil said.

“But he let down fantastic and was able to hold on in good style.”

McNeil said the manner in which Scallopini fought when King Of Sparta hit the front added value to the gelding’s success.

“Once I got past (Scallopini), I might have caught him by surprise,” McNeil said.

“We seemed to go by very easily but Scallopini fought back.

“He (King Of Sparta) had to tough it out, which he did really well.”

The final placing went to the Joe Pride trained Mariamia who at $4.80 gave the interstate raiders a clean sweep in the Caulfield Group 3.

The win for McNeil rounded out a solid season for the jockey after winning the Melbourne Cup and Melbourne Jockeys Premiership. McNeil will now miss out the remainder of the season for a well deserved break.

“It’s very special for me to go out a winner,” McNeil said.

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