Group 1 racing returns to Caulfield this Saturday with a quality field of 15 taking part in the Memsie Stakes.
The 1400m feature pits Mr Brightside, I Wish I Win, and Alligator Blood against each other, while the McNeil and Cockram Stakes both shape as important lead up races looking ahead.
For our best bets across the entire meeting, check out our 2023 Memsie Stakes Day Preview below.
Blazer has to lug some big weight around, but he does appear well-placed here in his return to metro level.
The Pierro five-year-old has spent some time racing at Sundown this prep, looking the winner a few weeks ago before he was run down late by a fitter mare in Terrestar over his final few strides.
If Craig Williams can shuffle across early, he should be able to tuck in just behind the speed and save something for late.
1 Unit Blazerro
First Mate is a gelding armed with a serious turn of foot, as we saw a couple of weeks ago when he got right back in the run and finished too well over the top of Big Brew.
He’s drawn a more difficult assignment this time from a wider gate, but he was beaten only two lengths by St Lawrence the start prior, a form line that speaks for itself.
Losing Blake Shinn hurts, but Stephen Vella was responsible for a couple wins at country level earlier in his prep.
Look for the pair to be storming home late.
2 Units E/W First Mate
Nunthorpe is an intriguing mare with upside out of the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman camp.
This mare by Playing God resumed in great order for second at Sandown early last month, given a patient ride behind the speed before looming up over the final 200m where she was simply no match for Extreme Step.
She meets that mare better off at the weights this time, and I think her class might shine through here after competing quite well at Group 2 level earlier in the autumn.
2 Units Nunthorpe
Chandon Burj continues to hand in honest efforts deep into her prep.
The Busuttin and Young-trained mare has finished fourth in her last two attempts at The Valley, sticking to the task well a few weeks ago in a race that really wasn’t run to suit.
She should appreciate a more genuine tempo here if Damien Oliver can settle back early, and I do think she’s suited to 2000m after running third over a similar journey earlier in the year.
With a couple kg’s off, she appeals at a nice price.
1 Unit E/W Chandon Burj
Sticking with Barber here after he was scratched from the San Domenico last week.
It’s interesting that he’s heading to Melbourne after accepting at Rosehill last week, but this still looks a winnable assignment for the first-up specialist despite the fact he’s winless in two starts over 1200m.
His form last prep was solid, finding no luck in the Blue Diamond but running some big races in the Golden Slipper and the Kindergarten.
This is easier, and with two trials under the belt, he should be sharp and ready to roll.
2 Units Barber
Uncle Bryn comes back to race at Listed level after tackling the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up a fortnight ago.
He made up some good ground in the run home but settling in the back half of the field four-wide ultimately cost him in the end.
Makram is another one that could run a good race at odds. The Lindsay Park gelding is unbeaten over this trip, so expect improvement on his first-up run over the mile.
1 Unit Uncle Bryn, 1 Unit E/W Makram
C’est Magique stamped herself as a horse worth watching during her maiden prep, winning on debut at Pakenham on the synthetic, before going on to run second to In Secret in the Coolmore last spring.
The four-year-old by Zoustar appeared in great order during a trial at Cranbourne early last month, while she’s also drawn to receive all the favours under Michael Dee from the inside barrier.
Providing she jumps on time, she should measure up nicely against some of these.
1 Unit C’est Magique
There’s a case to be made for a few here, but I’m leaning the way of the favourite Asfoora based on her fruitful autumn campaign.
Henry Dwyer’s mare raced well without winning, resuming in the Oakleigh Plate where she was beaten a length third, before running an equally impressive race when fourth to Mariamia in The Galaxy.
I still think her best is yet to come, and we might get a glimpse of that based on her handy trial win last week.
2 Units Asfoora
I Wish I Win has made it look easy here at Caulfield in the past, winning his Australian debut by an impressive four lengths to kick off the spring last year.
That proved a sign of things to come in his return as a five-year-old, finally checking a Group 1 off the bucket list when winning the TJ Smith Stakes against a star-studded field comprising of Giga Kick and Nature Strip during the spring.
Racing over 1400m first-up doesn’t look a query, and although we haven’t seen him at the trials, this looks a great leadoff race on his way to The Everest.
2 Units I Wish I Win
Poland had been racing well before things went astray at Flemington last month where Blake Shinn was charged with careless riding in the run home.
His form prior suggests he’s capable of making amends though, the son of So You Think running second over the track and trip in July, and fifth first-up at Headquarters.
The blinkers go back on for the first time and he does warrant big respect with a handy record over this distance range.
1 Unit E/W Poland