Group 1 racing returns today with the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield at 4:40pm (AEST). Join The Roar at 4:15pm (AEST) where we’ll keep you updated on all the betting moves and how the horses are shaping up in the mounting yard.
The Memsie Stakes is a popular starting point for many of the more competitive spring horses, and this year’s field is no exception. Of the 11 runners, 6 are Group 1 winners, including the brilliant miler and favourite Boban, last year’s Cox Plate runner up Happy Trails and arguably the autumn’s best horse, the aptly named Silent Achiever.
TIPS
I’m going for Moment of Change here. 1400m is his best distance, and has only ever lost once at Caulfield, which was a fortnight ago when he lugged a huge 62kg into 2nd place. Drops 3kg for this.
Messene is my pick for 2nd. Resumed very strongly in the Missile, loves the distance and has an incredibly consistent record.
Look for Boban to come home late for 3rd. Could very easily win this but I think is suited to a bit more distance.
My pick for 4th is the ultra honest mare Sweet Idea. She won the Missile Stakes over 1200m, despite Boban and Messene coming at her hard in the final 50m. She held on well then, but the 1400m may be too far. Should be good enough to feature in the top 4.
Max Ford Selections:
1. Moment of Change 2. Messene 3. Boban 4. Sweet Idea
michael steel
Guest
The MEMSIE is a race with many great Group 1 horses having won it, but as I check the history of the race , very few sprinters, which would be having their second or third run in have won the race. Great horses like Sunline and So You Think are two who have won this race first up. Should that give it Group 1 status? Really a 1200 metre race should be the first Group 1 of the season. There are few Group 1 sprint races in Melbourne in the Spring as it is.
andrew
Guest
sertorious ran very well. he has high enough a rating to be guarantted a caul cup start, and still get in with around 54kg. this baiscally means they can just run him along at 80% in WFA races for nice 5th and 6th's, with no pressure that they need to win to get their rating up, or win a hcp to get a penality to get into the field. this gives the trainer the ultimate luxury of being able to time the preparation of the horse to peak when they want him to. for mine, i would run him in the yalumba as final lead up as its often a small field and he would control the race, and goes well of the 7 day back up, and could then drop 5kgs or so into caul cup and be tough to pass racing in the first 3 all the way.
Harry
Guest
Wowza!
mfor45
Roar Pro
Thanks for joining The Roar's coverage of today's Memsie Stakes. The new season is well and truly underway now! Next week is the Dato Tan Chim Nam Stakes (G2) at Moonee Valley and the Chelmsford (G2) at Randwick
mfor45
Roar Pro
Dissident looking very promising for a Cox Plate campaign. Sweet Idea was gallant in defeat, will be more competitive over the spring in slightly shorter races. Puissance de Lune showed great improvement, also heading for a Cox Plate. Boban and Messene certainly in the forgives- both more than capable of better performances. Many of the 2000m/stayers were a bit one paced but will be better for the run and race fitness.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Peter Moody hesitant to commit Dissident to a Cox Plate. Wants to see if he can run the 2000m. Says there's almost certainly something wrong with Moment of Change who faded very badly.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Sweet Idea showed her usual toughness to grab 2nd. Darren Weir would be very happy with a much improved run from Puissance de Lune. Boban appeared to be caught wide at the turn and couldn't unleash that trademark acceleration to get into the placings.
mfor45
Roar Pro
6 of the last 9 winners of the Memsie have been favourites with the 2014 edition certainly breaking that trend, Dissident paying around the $11 mark.
mfor45
Roar Pro
A great win from Dissident, who overtook Sweet Idea and kept kicking for a very convincing win. Dissident has promised much since his 2nd to Zoustar in last year's Golden Rose. Has since won a Group 1 against his own age in the Randwick Guineas and now has a WFA Group 1.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Ready for the Memsie! They're away PDL jumps well Gig misses it Sweet Idea takes the lead with Moment of Change Sweet Idea leads from Moment of Change and Dissident PDL in a good spot 4th. Boban towards the back as expected Sweet Idea leads the turn Moment of Change making his move Sweet Idea hangs on Dissident coming hard! Overtakes Sweet Idea! Fantastic finish! Dissident 2 lengths over Sweet Idea and then Puissance de Lune. Moment of Change fell away very badly and came last.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Moving in well here, Gig coming into the gates now.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Boban steady around the 3.00 mark. PDL has come in from 10.00 to around 8.40 Sweet Idea has really drifted from 5.00 out to 9.00
Harry
Guest
Puissance to Bounce back today!
mfor45
Roar Pro
Happy Trails looks nice in the yard- might be too short for him but has a blistering finish. Boban looks relaxed. The one to beat- really firming now at 2.80 on the tote. Moment of Change looks fine. Ditto Super Cool, back at the track for the first time in nearly a year. Sertorius looks good- another resuming stayer. PDL looking for a better run than last start Messene looks in great shape. Dissident looks okay- Moody unsurprisingly rates Moment of Change as the better of the two changes. Silent Achiever looks great. Gig looks fine. Sweet Idea relaxed and ready.
Luke M
Guest
I agree with your first four but my order is Boban from Sweet Idea, MOC and Messene. Watch for Silent Achiever to run a big race fresh. $4.40 is not as short as I expected.
Todd
Guest
Afternoon all Sweet Idea for mine.
mfor45
Roar Pro
Good afternoon everyone! Only 10 minutes away from the first Group 1 of the season at Caulfield. Fantastic weather and track with a Good 3.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Who's everyone tipping? I'm going the roughie Happy Trails but I also like Silent Achiever, PDL and Boban!