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Group 1 Memsie Stakes 1400m preview and tips

Boban will face tough competition at the Futurity Stakes. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Pro
26th August, 2014
5

The first Group 1 race of Spring has finally arrived, and it looks like an interesting one with a good mix of serious contenders and horses that are resuming and looking to put in some nice performances.

This $400,000 weight-for-age event has attracted 16 entries with acceptances and the barrier draw to be held on Wednesday morning. The field of 16 includes eight Group 1 winners, so we should be in for a ripper of a race.

Historically this race has been kind to the favourites, with six of the past 10 winning and none of them missing a place. It is hard to go against this trend with current joint favourites Messene and Boban both looking in good order after impressive first up runs in the Missile Stakes at Randwick. They finished second and fourth respectively.

Messene will be better for the run and Boban will appreciate the extra distance after hitting the line hard.

On the next line of betting is Gai Waterhouse’s four-year-old mare Sweet Idea. She had a good first up win in the missile stakes and Gai believes 1400 metres is her pet trip. She will lead them out and will not be easy to run down.

Also challenging for the lead will be Peter Moody’s six-year-old gelding Moment Of Change. He ran a handy first up second where he had to lug 62 kilograms. But he will be better for that run and will be looking to get back to his form from early in the year when he won two Group 1s.

Of the other runners, there are three entries that are currently at double figures in the betting that I would like to touch on.

Chris Waller’s Foreteller was excellent first up when he ran a fast finishing fourth in the Group Two P.B Lawrence Stakes. He will be better for the run, look for him to be hitting the line hard once again.

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Paul Berisha’s seven-year-old gelding Happy Trails was ok first up when he came really wide around the home turn in a race that was not run to suit, and he has since run a good trial. This race should be run at a more preferable pace, so look for improvement.

The last is Peter Moody’s second entry, Dissident. He was a late with the draw from last week’s Warwick Stakes at Randwick due to the heavy conditions, and was prepared for that race with a solid hit out at the trials in Sydney. He has a good first up record where he is yet to be unplaced and he should sit on the speed and get a good run in behind the leaders.

This looks to be a cracker of a race and a great way to start off Group 1 racing this Spring. In a close contest I am tipping Boban to come out on top of Foreteller, Messene and Dissident. I can’t wait.

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