Fitter Lord chasing second Bletchingly

Robbie Laing says a fitter Lord Of The Sky will step out for his title defence of the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.

Lord Of The Sky is one of 18 nominations for Saturday’s Group Three 1200m-sprint, 12 months after he defeated Fast ‘N’ Rocking and Mahuta.

Lord Of The Sky had his first run back following a long lay-off when sixth to Supido in the Monash Stakes at Caulfield on July 15.

It was Lord Of The Sky’s first run since his fifth to Miss Rose De Lago in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield last August after which connections tried to find him a home at stud when he injured a tendon.

Laing said Lord Of The Sky needed the outing first-up and pointed out the rising seven-year-old had only scored once in seven first-up attempts.

“He had a good blow after the race,” Laing said.

“It looked like he was keen, on the bridle, and quite a few people said he (Aaron Lynch) should have let him run.

“But from the 1000 (metres) to the 800 he ran 10.7 (seconds) then went 10.7 and 10.8, so it just shows how quick he can run if you were to let him run.

“He wouldn’t have wanted to have gone much quicker first-up as he would have capitulated before the 200 (metres).”

Laing said Lord Of The Sky ran the race with a mouthful of blood after striking the front of the gates at the start, splitting his bottom lip.

“He had a lot of blood in his mouth and a lot of people thought he’d bled, so that wouldn’t have been all that comfortable for him,” Laing said.

“He had a relaxing few days after the race and got back into it on the Tuesday after.

“He’ll be fitter and a little bit of soft ground, being winter, wouldn’t hurt as that’s where he’s advantaged.

“He’ll run those super times on a wet track.”

Joining Lord Of The Sky among nominations for Saturday’s race are Lankan Rupee, Keen Array, Supido, Tashbeeh, Ability, Chocolate Holic and Adelaide pair Cashed and Daytona Grey.