Memsie Stakes

Distance 1,400m Grade Group 1 Track Caulfield Prizemoney $750,000 2019 winner Scales Of Justice ($3.80) The Memsie Stakes is a key lead up race often used as a springboard for middle distance and staying types who have Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup aspirations.  Notable past winners of the Group One event include Atlantic Jewel (2013), Weekend Hussler (2008), Makybe Diva (2005) and Sunline (2000, 2001). Savatiano $4.50 heads the all-in market for this year's event and will be eyeing off back-to-back Group victories after success over this track and distance a fortnight ago in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes. The Godolphin mare is yet to taste Group One glory, but shapes as a genuine contender this Saturday.  Nine of the 21 nominated runners are Group One winners, which will ensure a mouth-watering clash.    Early Race Tip  Arcadia Queen $6.00 was only fair first-up in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence, but is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from that run.  Second-up for this clash, she'll strip much fitter and it wouldn't surprise to see her fire on Saturday. Expect a much improved showing from the WA raider.   Nominations & all-in market for Saturday's Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) Horse Name Trainer Odds ARCADIA QUEEN Grant & Alana Williams $ 6.00 BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER Daniel Bowman $ 17.00 BEHEMOTH David Jolly $ 5.00 BENITOITE Clinton McDonald $ 51.00 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings $ 11.00 GALAXY RAIDER Grahame Begg $ 71.00 GATTING Peter G Moody $ 26.00 GLENFIDDICH Peter G Moody $ 15.00 GREAT AGAIN Lindsey Smith $ 26.00 HARLEM (GB) Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes $ 51.00 ICONOCLASM Danny O'Brien $ 51.00 MR QUICKIE Phillip Stokes $ 15.00 MYSTIC JOURNEY Adam Trinder $ 9.00 NONCONFORMIST Grahame Begg $ 51.00 PRINCESS JENNI (NZ) David Brideoake $ 26.00 REGAL POWER Grant & Alana Williams $ 13.00 SAVATIANO James Cummings $ 4.50 SIRCCONI Nick Ryan $ 15.00 SO SI BON Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes $ 51.00 STREETS OF AVALON Shane Nichols $ 13.00 YULONG JANUARY Ciaron Maher & David Eustace $ 51.00

The excitement builds toward Spring as Melbourne hosts it's first Group 1 of the season. The race’s status has attracted a star-studded field of genuine stakes level heroes and some exciting younger horses all on a path to future Spring riches. Plenty of interest will be focused on Everest slot holder Vega Magic and with the bigger target in mind for Team Hayes, it's unlikely they will knock the horse around too much to find the lead if others decide to go forward.    Caulfield Race Track Traits Caulfield is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail out 6m and fine conditions predicted for Saturday. With the rail out at Caulfield, we can immediately default to on-pace holding a slight advantage, however a close watch of early racing is advised to identify track bias. The 1400m start point features a short run to the first turn and those with the tactical speed to cross or with a premier barrier position will be advantaged.    Racing Market Movers Favourite Vega Magic remains solid in early bettting at $2.70. There are no other significant moves of note.     Key Runners #1 Happy Clapper $5.50 Always runs well, however unfortunately more often than not is placed against the worlds best in Winx. Although there is no Winx here, he still strikes a hot Group 1 field where it will not be easy. He will be forced to go back from the mid-field draw in gate 7 where Mark Zahra will be praying for the leaders to overdo it up front. Last start he did place behind Winx in the Queen Elizabeth and whilst the first-up record is acceptable, expect many others to have his measure. Looks well under the odds at the current $5.50 and expect that to drift closer to jump. No.   #3 Vega Magic $2.70   Is on an Everest path after receiving a slot following a dominant last start win here in the Bletchingly at Group 3 level. This of course is a step-up with a much deeper field engaged. I fear trainers with confirmed Everest slot holders may look for softer runs early in their prep. Choosing to preserve the horse for the ultimate target rather than trying to win at all costs. That is the risk punters have to take on Saturday with this runner, however he is the likely leader, and if he gets it soft at any stage, will be right in the finish. Top hope.   #7 Kings Will Dream $10   Had the flashing light on when running a slashing 4 of 16 in the PB Lawrence here first-up. He draws the outside but will get back in the field in any case, as per his natural pattern. May well get the strong tempo he needs to run over the top of them all, with an abundance of genuine on-pace types engaged. One of the most talented horses in the country, who I doubt we have seen the best of yet. Leading hope.   #8 Kementari $4.40 Special K will be out to atone for what many believed to be a disappointing run behind Winx last start, when a few good judges suggested he could beat the great mare. No doubt he is all class and the 1400m is perfect third-up. Slight knock when considering his position in the run, as the speed map does look ugly for him. He's likely to get back further than Team Blue would like, otherwise risk racing 3 and 4 wide the trip. Current betting has him marked $4.40 which looks a fraction short considering he has to overcome the draw at a tricky Caulfield 1400m start point. Would need luck and place preferred.   #9 Grunt $9 Has an outstanding record (6:4-0-1) where he's only been out of the money once. I like that he has had the two good wins over 1600m, indicating he has the stoutness to run home strongly if the leaders go too fast. There is a distinct possibility this will occur, and with a number of well fancied runners drawn wide, look for him to smoke the pipe in behind and present at the right time. $10 looks very acceptable and at the price he must go on top. Yes   #10 Showtime $11 Won well here last start in Group 2 company beating a field stacked with quality and displaying a tough 'close to speed' profile to fight right to the line. From gate 2, Dunn will have him just in behind the leading division and should secure one of the most economical runs throughout. This is another step-up, however the speed map favours bring him right into contention. Excellent prospects.   Of The Others #6 Dollar for Dollar will be one at odds running on late. If they find a position in behind the ruck and the gaps come, may get closer than most think. Have a peanut each-way if the price gets out to $40+   All the tips entered by professional punters, experts from the racing media and others for Caulfield on Saturday are on one page. Check-out the Caulfield tips page. All tipsters posting their selections show validated profit statistics.    Best Tips 1st  Grunt  2nd  Kings Will Dream 3rd  Showtime 4th Vega Magic