Group 1 racing for the spring in Melbourne is underway with an explosive opener at Caulfield that has weight-for-age stars Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni facing off in a mouth-watering rematch for the Memsie Stakes 2024.
This year’s Group 1 $750,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) may feature a diminutive field of just eight final acceptors, but there is certainly no shortage of class with a couple of the big-name spring contenders ready to kick things off with a bang.
Donning the number one saddlecloth from barrier four with Craig Williams in the saddle is the defending Memsie Stakes champion Mr Brightside for Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
The seven-year-old son of Bullbars is looking to return to winning form fresh and add to his imposing first-up record (7:3-1-1).
He has a stellar strike-rate at this track and trip boasting a flawless five-from-five record over the 1400m at Caulfield including completing the CF Orr – Futurity Stakes double over the autumn.
At his latest start the $13.47 million earner was seen running a distant third when over eight lengths beaten by Ciaron Maher‘s stable queen, Pride Of Jenni, in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Fresh he boasts a better record, he’s a Caulfield specialist, and the 1400m will definitely be more to his liking to get his spring underway.
Mr Brightside currently pays $2.40 in the Memsie Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au to become the first back-to-back champion since Behemoth (2020-21).
Of course, the danger following closely in Memsie Stakes betting at $2.50 with the potential to firm is Pride Of Jenni who also runs first-up for the spring.
Declan Bates continues associations with the brilliant daughter of Pride Of Dubai who chases her fourth Group 1 success.
She may have won the Queen Elizabeth by over 6.5 lengths last time out in Sydney, but her first-up record leaves a little to be desired.
Fresh last prep she was second to Mr Brightside at this track and trip beaten just a nostril flare in the CF Orr, so punters are strapping in for another exciting clash here.
Outside the dominant duo the other best fancied in the markets to score an upset include Tony Gollan‘s Brisbane galloper Antino ($6.50) who loves the 1400m distance and the in-form Gentleman Roy ($10) with the fitness edge.
Stablemate to the favourite Mr Brightside, the fellow Lindsay Park-trained Gentleman Roy comes off a three-straight winning streak he is out to add to this weekend.
The So You Think eight-year-old was last seen saluting here over the same distance in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes, and he is not without his irers to do the double offering a bit of value.
The 2024 Memsie Stakes is set to run as Caulfield Race 9 at 4:45pm (AEST) on Saturday’s card with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.
2024 Memsie Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 222x11253x | MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Craig Williams | 4 | 59kg | 118 | ||
| 2 | 396x40x2x4 | AEGON (NZ) | Andrew Forsman | Vlad Duric | 1 | 59kg | 106 | ||
| 3 | 7000×79111 | GENTLEMAN ROY | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Mark Zahra | 8 | 59kg | 109 | ||
| 4 | 824x7025x4 | BANDERSNATCH | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Jordan Childs | 2 | 59kg | 103 | ||
| 5 | x21500x0x2 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Ben Allen | 3 | 59kg | 106 | ||
| 6 | 41220x160x | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Ms Jamie Kah | 6 | 59kg | 108 | ||
| 7 | 2611x2121x | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 7 | 57kg | 122 | ||
| 8 | 26x41113x8 | VAGRANT | Mitchell Freedman | Beau Mertens | 5 | 57kg | 94 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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