Group 1 racing heads back to Caulfield this Saturday with one of the most wide-open editions of the Memsie Stakes set to play out.
Several other spring hopefuls will look to build towards bigger races in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes and The Heath, while punters will need to navigate another wet track with rain earlier in the week leaving the track rated a Soft 7.
The rail is out four metres across the track, so the speed map will be key with those landing on speed potentially favoured.
Our race-by-race analysis highlights the key runner, top winning chances and best bets across the card.
For a complete betting strategy ahead of Memsie Stakes Day, check out where we’ve landed below!
BUTTERNUT PRINCESS (5) appears to be peaking at the right time for the Moody and Coleman camp.
The mare to Capitalist was a long way back over the track and trip two weeks ago in a similar fillies and mares race, eventually angling four-wide into the straight where she let down well to grab third in a good go for the line.
She’s third-up now and a previous winner at this stage of her prep. The blinkers going on for the first time should help her in the early stages and she’s drawn to find plenty of cover this time from barrier six.
| 5. Butternut Princess (6) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 66×43T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 7 in a Bm84 at this track on July 25 over 1100m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Tennessee Bound with 53kg at $13. Second-up 3rd of 12 in a F&M Bm78 at this track on August 15 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Recuperato with 57.5kg at $9. Will take plenty of holding out. | |||
HURRY CURRY (5) should appreciate the longer trip here second-up.
She finished a long way back at Flemington over the mile fresh from a spell, but keep in mind she came out and ran third in a Group 2 at Morphettville to wrap up her autumn prep over 3200m.
This distance is still short of her best, but she’s handled wet tracks well in the past and gets the added class of Blake Shinn in the saddle. Fitter and likely to settle in the front half, she’ll be hard to run down when it counts.
| 5. Hurry Curry (7) J: Blake Shinn 60kg 613×0T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months got back early 10th of 14 in a Bm84 at Flemington on August 1 over 1620m, 6 len behind Touchdown with 55.5kg at $101. Previously second-up 6th of 9 in a Bm84 at Cranbourne on November 22 over 2025m, 1.75 len behind Regal Lion with 54kg at $4.80. Splits fresh were good, wouldn’t surprise. | |||
DARKBONEE (10) is a gelding in-form with plenty of upside still for Symon Wilde.
The lightly-raced five-year-old was given a peach of a ride by Jamie Melham two weeks ago over the mile, settling third-last in the early stages, before winding up with a big run down the outside to punch nearly two lengths clear.
He went past some good horses like Light Infantry Man on his way home and seemed to still have a lot left to give through the line. Third-up, over further, there’s no reason to hop off him.
| 10. Darkbonee (5) J: Jamie Melham 54.5kg 13×21T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 2nd of 14 in a Bm74 at Flemington on August 1 over 1410m, 1.3 len behind Itazura with 61.5kg at $5.50. Second-up favourite; won by 1.75 len at this track on August 15 over 1600m in soft going defeating Detonator Jack with 53kg at $2.70. Racing well. Progressive and looks ideally placed again. | |||
CRUSIERWEIGHT (19) has been given another week to prepare after being scratched ahead of last week’s meeting at Sandown.
This talented four-year-old trained by the Hayes boys saw his unbeaten run end at Caulfield four weeks ago when he went down as the favourite, overracing early and never really adjusting to a tempo that didn’t suit.
To his credit, he plugged on fairly to finish fourth, but after being caught wide early without cover and forced to settle closer to the speed, this looks like a much more winnable assignment fourth-up with an encouraging jump out win between runs.
Providing the scratchings go his way and he earns a spot in the field as an emergency; he’ll be hard to beat.
| 19. Cruiserweight (4) J: Ethan Brown 55kg 1×114T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Racing well recently. Returns from a 35-day let-up. Most recently sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 in a 3yo Hcp at this track on July 25 over 1400m, slow going 2.5 len behind Lauberhorn carrying 58.5kg at $1.80. The race before that favourite; settled well back; won by 1.0 len at this track on July 11 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Celtics with 54kg at $3. An inside draw is a big advantage. Scratched at gates last week but still profiles well. | |||
SHADHAVAR (6) looks to have returned a treat for Tom Dabernig and connections.
The Pride Of Dubai mare was fast into stride two weeks ago on her way to taking out the Regal Roller over the track/trip, clinging to the rail the whole way and really knuckling down late to hold off Persian Spirit.
I thought she was only fair to the line over her final few strides, but this is arguably a more winnable race now back against her own sex. After improving significantly second-up last time in work to a Stakes race at Morphettville by a length, I think she’s tough to beat again in this year’s Courtza Stakes.
| 6. Shadhavar (1) J: Damian Lane 57kg x11x1T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months favourite; won by a long-neck in the LR Regal Roller Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1200m in soft going defeating Persian Spirit carrying 54kg at $5. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.0 len in the LR Matrice Stakes at Morphettville on March 28 over 1200m defeating Power Beau with 54.5kg at $2.35. Strong win fresh and this is an ideal race. | |||
WAR MACHINE (1) is untested over 1100m but looks to have a serious class edge over most of his key rivals in this race.
Not a whole lot has gone right for him over the last six months or so, notably finishing down the order in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap earlier in the autumn where he was beaten four lengths.
That said, he flies fresh and has jumped out well leading into his return, so there’s every reason to believe he can bounce back.
| 1. War Machine (4) J: Mark Zahra 59kg 0x30xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign 11th of 14 at Flemington in the G1 Newmarket March 7 over 1200m, 4 len behind Caballus carrying 57kg at $13. First up last campaign third in a small field at Pakenham in the G2 Aust Stks January 23 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Hedged carrying 58.5kg at $1.30. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Very talented on best, have to include. | |||
SEIZE THE DAY (1) should be up on the speed nice and early and looking to dictate in his Australian debut.
Mark Walker’s Kiwi raider resumes having last won the Group 1 Newmarket Sires Produce across the ditch, and there’s plenty to like about his recent jump outs as he steps out over 1200m.
The inside barrier will allow Blake Shinn every chance to roll forward and dictate the race on his own terms, and with another wet track expected, the pair should feel right at home.
| 1. Seize The Day (3) J: Blake Shinn 59.5kg 311xT: Mark Walker | |||
| Resuming after a five months break. Not seen since winning to post a big 4.5 len win. Trentham G1 Mnwt Sires Prod March 28 over 1400m slow track defeating Sweetest Thing carrying 57kg at $2.80. On debut third of 9 at Ellerslie 2yo Mdn-Sw February 21 over 1100m, soft track; 0.6 len behind Summer Schemer with 57.5kg at $1.60. G1 winner in NZ who sets up well on speed, go close. | |||
BEIWACHT (10) figures to be a popular runner given we last saw him dominate over the 1400m trip at Randwick on his way to winning the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
Like others, he’s jumped out well leading into his first spring tilt and this race shapes up perfectly for him with plenty of early speed expected from the likes of Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside.
Nash Rawiller sticks and with a perfect two-from-two record to his name over the trip, he simply needs to handle his first look at Caulfield to be winning.
| 10. Beiwacht (7) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 8261xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign by 0.9 len Randwick G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m defeating Lazzura with 56.5kg at $6.50. First up last campaign ran last of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Lightning February 14 over 1000m, 6 len behind Tentyris carrying 55.5kg at $9. Classy horse who will give a huge sight. | |||
YELLOW JERSEY (10) might just be the straight bat play in a very tricky race.
Resuming over 1700m is the big query around the McEvoy-trained French import, especially with just one start to his name between now and last October.
The son to Dubawi made the journey down under in time for the Brisbane Winter Carnival, finishing runner-up on debut in the Listed Wayne Wilson to War Eternal.
He’s had a couple of trials and looks forward enough for this, so banking on his wet track form and Mark Zahra to do the talking.
| 10. Yellow Jersey (7) J: Mark Zahra 59kg x3x2xT: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Resuming. Only had one start last preparation sat on the pace when 2nd of 11 in a LR The Wayne Wilson at Eagle Farm on June 13 over 1600m, in the wet; long-neck behind War Eternal carrying 59kg at $2.60. First up last campaign 3rd of 7 in the G2 Prix Du Conseil De Paris at Longchamp on October 19 over 2200m, 0.6 len behind Convergent with 55.5kg at $3.20. Won trial at Caulfield Heath over 1000m on August 15. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Did plenty wrong at local debut, sets up | |||
TEN COMMANDMENTS (12) has gone to another level this time in work and was ultra impressive winning over the track and distance two weeks ago.
Ciaron Maher’s gelding kept coming with a big run down the outside after settling in behind the speed, lengthening to beat Home Rule where he was strong through the line.
This is a stiffer test, but his wet track form gets a big tick, and he’s got a soft gate and next to no weight working in his favour.
| 12. Ten Commandments (4) J: Declan Bates 55.5kg x1131T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at this track on August 15 over 1400m in soft going defeating Home Rule carrying 56kg at $3.60. The race before that 3rd of 11 in a Bm100 at this track on July 11 over 1400m, slow going 0.5 len behind Coeur Volante with 50kg at $2.45. Rates highly and is sure to run well. | |||
