The Memsie Stakes final field for 2026 is out, and what a quality Group 1 field it is for the 1400m feature race at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Memsie Stakes barrier draw shows some of the favoured needing to do work from out wide, so there could be an upset in the making with Memsie Stakes odds.
Memsie Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 1. Mr Brightside (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 2125xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign fifth of 9 at Flemington in the G1 Champ Mile November 8 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 10 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 59kg at $2.90. When resuming last campaign second of 9 at this track in the G1 Memsie August 30 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 59kg at $7. Champion gelding but off the long break and some query on how he’s going. | |||
| 2. Jimmysstar (8) J: Ethan Brown 59kg 5342xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 16 at Eagle Farm in the G1 K-Smith Cup May 30 over 1300m, soft track; a nose behind Headley Grange with 59kg at $3.80. When resuming last campaign seventh of 11 at this track in the G1 William Reid March 21 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Jigsaw carrying 58.5kg at $2.15. Love him at this trip, his best just about wins. | |||
| 3. Tom Kitten (1) J: Mark Zahra 59kg x117xT: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 12 at Flemington in the G1 Aust Cup March 28 over 2000m, soft track; 5 len behind Light Infantry Man carrying 59kg at $6. Previous preparation first-up won by head this track G3 Heffernan February 7 over 1400m defeating Feroce with 59kg at $3. Big win fresh last campaign, might be a bit underrated here. | |||
| 4. Buckaroo (10) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 0x25xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation fifth of 7 at this track in the G2 Peter Young Stk March 14 over 1800m, 6 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $2.25. Previously first up; second of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Pericles carrying 59kg at $31. Will run on well but can’t see him winning. | |||
| 5. Angel Capital (5) J: Ben Melham 59kg 326×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at Randwick on August 8 over 1200m, 2 len behind Ninja carrying 57.5kg at $2.20. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 7 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Caballus carrying 56kg at $12. Much better suited this trip, frustrating but he’s good enough. | |||
| 6. Birdman (4) J: Beau Mertens 59kg 1521xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign won by 2.75 len Doomben G1 Doomben Cup May 23 over 2000m defeating Pride Of Jenni carrying 59kg at $3.30. First up last campaign fourth of 8 at Flemington in the LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m, 0.9 len behind Cafe Millenium carrying 60kg at $13. Had a great last campaign but this is probably too sharp. | |||
| 7. Cosmic Crusader (11) J: William Pike 59kg 12×11T: Andrea Leek | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up favourite; won by 2.5 len in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes at this track on July 25 over 1200m in soft going defeating Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $3.60. Second run from a spell favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Private Eye carrying 59kg at $2.50. Very good winner last time, will take plenty of holding out again. | |||
| 8. Sabaj (12) J: Jamie Melham 59kg x244xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation fourth of 12 at Flemington in the G1 Aust Cup March 28 over 2000m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Light Infantry Man with 59kg at $13. First up last campaign second of 8 at Flemington in the LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Cafe Millenium with 57kg at $3.10. Can’t see him figuring from the gate. | |||
| 9. Autumn Boy (3) J: James McDonald 58.5kg 3212xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign second of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 52kg at $10. When resuming last campaign third of 7 at Rosehill in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Ninja carrying 56.5kg at $2.90. Talented but fancy he finds a few too sharp. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 11. Planet Red (2) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg x226xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation sixth of 12 at this track in the G2 Alister Clark March 21 over 2000m, 5 len behind Roulette King carrying 57kg at $1.75. When resuming last campaign second of 12 at this track in the G2 Autumn Stks February 7 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Observer with 57kg at $4.40. Has ability but this will test. | |||
| 12. Treasurethe Moment (6) J: Damian Lane 57kg x313xT: Matt Laurie | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation third of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Queen Turf April 11 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Idle Flyer carrying 57kg at $3.80. When resuming last campaign third of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Pericles with 57kg at $1.90. Dominant in this last year and maps well. | |||
Memsie Stakes Barrier Draw Winners & Losers
Let’s start on a positive note with the runners who fared well in the Memsie Stakes barrier draw. Tom Kitten secured the inside draw for his return to racing, and he’ll enjoy having time to find his feet. He might need a couple more runs to find his best, but he’ll get every chance on the rails.
The big winners were Angel Capital (5) and Planet Red (2). They will get every chance in the run to show their best, and because they drew well, punters should expect them to settle closer to the speed.
Treasurethe Moment is also ideally positioned in barrier 6. She won’t have to spend much energy to find a spot close to the rails, and she’s always ready to show her best in a fresh state, so she’s a winner with the Memsie Stakes final field & barrier draw.
Cosmic Crusader was the big loser. He gets barrier 11 with William Pike in the saddle, and he’ll need to rely on luck from out wide. He might be unbeaten in two runs at Caulfield, but things panned out well for him. This is Group 1 racing now, so he’ll need to be every bit of a champion to beat this field.
Jimmysstar is an interesting runner. The former Kiwi has barrier 8, which means he’ll likely resort to dropping back and hoping they run along quickly up front. Look for him to finish strongly down the outside.
What to Expect in the 2026 Memsie Stakes
Ruling out any runner in the 2026 Memsie Stakes would be a mistake. All the talk last week was about the Autumn Glow vs Sheza Alibi showdown, but this race presents as one of the best we’ll see all spring.
It’s packed full of champion runners, and it’s going to be an intriguing affair. We expect Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside to settle close to the pace, and if Treasurethe Moment gets her own way, she will provide punters with a sight down the straight.
However, if she has to work in front, the back markers will finish off well, especially in heavy conditions. Look for Cosmic Crusader, Jimmysstar, and Angel Capital to be sitting just off the speed and looking to launch over the final 200m.