2015 Memsie Stakes: Racing live updates, tips and results

The Memsie Stakes (1400m) is the first official Group 1 race of the spring carnival and this year a quality field has assembled for a wide open race. Join The Roar before the race start time of 4:45pm (AEST) for commentary and tips.

This race has great recent history, with true champions winning.

The legendary Makybe Diva (2005), champion So You Think (2010) and stars El Segundo (2006), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Atlantic Jewel (2013) are among those to have won the race in the past decade alone.

Some in this year’s field are certain contenders, but others are here purely for a stroll around the wonderful Caulfield track.

Fawkner – scratched
Drew a wide barrier which connections were obviously not happy with. Would have been a contender had he raced.

Happy Trails
A dour, staying horse that has plans for the Melbourne Cup. Has placed over the distance and has an okay record at the track, but 1400m is way too steep, especially when you consider the quality in this race. $17 is serious unders.

Boban
I honestly thought Boban was done before he came out last preparation and stole the Doomben 10,000 (1350m), before running second in the Stradbroke Handicap (1350m). Goes up a kilo on those wins which might be his undoing, but his best is good enough to win this. Has some good first up form and has won at the track. I wouldn’t take the $4.80 though.

Temple of Boom
Has already had a run and finished behind Burbero and Weary. Has okay form second-up, but not winning at this distance and track will make it hard. I consider the $13 currently on offer to be unders.

Dandino
A quality stayer who is looking to get back on track with a new trainer in Darren Weir. Has great first-up form but has never been tried at this distance, and the trip will be too stiff for him. Could surprise us but I’m willing to take on at $67

Smokin’ Joey
An honest horse who can find the line, but if you go off his PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) he is so hard to have here. Still he has performed against some great horses at this distance and the $17 might tempt some.

Sertorius
Another who has been honest over the distance. Has placed twice over this distance at this track and there has already been some money come for it earlier in the week. First up has a good record, winning two and placing five times from 10 starts. $26 could be value, and if rain comes it will help his cause.

Weary
Was solid first-up behind Burbero, has a good record at the distance but hasn’t been to this track which is a big unknown. $10 seems a fair quote.

Prince of Penzance
Honest stayer who was quite good last time out. Suggest the trip will be tough for him but he has placed once over this distance and has a good record at the track. Will probably struggle in this quality but is $101 for those brave enough.

Entirely Platinum
Has good form last preparation around Dissident, who won this race last year. Finished off last preparation with a 2400m race which simply didn’t suit. First-up record is good, has won four from seven starts over the distance, and has placed at Caulfield which is a big tick. I don’t think $10 will stay long

Volkstok’n’barrell
This Kiwi is as tough as nails and I absolutely love this Donna Logan-trained runner, first-up has a win and a placing from three starts and is also unbeaten in two starts over this distance. Hasn’t missed a beat on a good track, winning four of six starts. Goes up 2kgs on the autumn but is a boom four-year-old. $8 seems like a ripping quote, especially with Blake Shinn on board.

Magicool
Excelled at the longer in the later stages of his preparation before spelling last time out. Has placed here but not at the distance. $26 seems fair but I would like to see him run first.

Petrology
Ran a drum in the Bletchingly (1200m) but is unplaced over the 1400m trip. Just not for me, but is at $21.

Hi World
Strong horse who has had a number of barrier trials between starts. A four-year-old who hasn’t been out of the quinella at two starts and hasn’t missed the trifecta when first-up from three starts. Looks ripping fit from what I have seen so $9 seems a good quote.

Setinum
The interesting runner in the field. Has been running in lesser company but has been really solid over this distance when winning the Bendigo Guineas at any old price. Has won at the track but this is the testing material. A knockout chance at $51.

Rising Romance
Was outstanding last preparation when finishing second in the Caulfield Cup but this distance in this quality is a little too steep. Ran fourth in the Tramway (1400m) last preparation but that was on a heavy track. The $11 offered here in unders.

Stratum Star (first emergency)
With the scratching of Fawkner gets the run as the first emergency. A great record at this distance, winning two of four, and placed behind Wandjina twice last preparation. Struggled first up but this is the distance he likes and $10 seems okay.

Trevieres (second emergency)
French import who hasn’t raced at the distance, will be targeting around the 2000m mark, at $41 but I will pass if he gets a start.

Pressing (third emergency)
Good record at the track but nothing at the distance. I’ll pass despite the $51 offered.

Charmed Harmony (fourth emergency)
Should really be in the field and would be a huge chance at winning if he made the final field. Has a trifecta of wins over this distance this preparation and good form at the track. If he makes the field the $13 will disappear quite quickly.

Selections
1. Volkstok’n’barrell 2. Entirely Platnium 3. Hi World 4. Setinum