Spring is in the air, or at least it will be on Saturday when the first of September is upon us.
The Memsie Stakes is the Group 1 to kick off racing at the elite level in Victoria, a marquee race that is always a strong pointer to the rest of the carnival.
It always takes a genuine Group 1 horse to win the actual race itself too, and that will surely be the case again with a high class field assembled.
Vega Magic is looking for back-to-back Memsie Stakes’ after a dominant win last year when he led all the way and was never seriously challenged.
He resumed with a similar style win in the Bletchingly a month ago, blitzing a handy field, to show that he’s set for a big spring again.
Caulfield is his playground, unbeaten there in three starts.
His Memsie win last year was second-up after a first-up win, so he is tracking to do the same again.
Interesting to note that he won with blinkers on last start, but has had them replaced with winkers for this race.
No doubt David Hayes is keeping his options open for The Everest in October.
The main challengers to Vega Magic come down the highway from Sydney, one a grizzled veteran and the other a new season four-year-old that most hope can take the next step.
Happy Clapper put together a phenomenal 2017/18 racing season, winning four races including three Group 1’s, as well as running three placings behind Winx.
Two of these wins came first-up, proving he can be right to go from the start of a prep, and that 1400m should prove very suitable.
Randwick Guineas winner Kementari is looking to claim his first victory since that day, and gets his chance to claim his inaugural open-age Group 1.
He was pleasing first-up in almost running down Pierata, and couldn’t keep up with Winx last start, but then who can. Trainer James Cummings couldn’t be any more bullish about his chances.
Happy Clapper hasn’t seen Caulfield before, while Kementari is familiar with the venue after being on the Guineas trail last year.
Both horses are versatile in the run, and from awkward draws will be ridden where they are comfortable, depending on how they jump and what is taking place inside them.
Like Kementari, Grunt is a Guineas winner looking to graduate to being competitive in the best open company.
He went on a tear in the autumn, winning four races in a row, but couldn’t keep the run going first-up in the Lawrence Stakes.
He wasn’t disgraced, and will have been better for the run, but will need to find a few lengths to convert that to a win here.
Showtime won the Lawrence, beautifully placed by the Hawkes camp after not having won for almost a year despite being Group 1 competitive.
He’ll certainly go forward from barrier two, and will likely take up a position behind Jungle Edge and Vega Magic.
He’ll run honestly, but will need to have improved to beat all of these.
Also from the Lawrence are Kings Will Dream, Black Heart Bart, Humidor and Jungle Edge.
Kings Will Dream was the eye-catcher of the race, and only consolidated his Caulfield Cup favouritism in the process.
Black Heart Bart’s best days are behind him. Humidor can improve sharply second-up in the right circumstances, but Darren Weir will be playing the patient game with him this prep so he can’t be expected to figure.
Jungle Edge will either lead or sit second, and will run gamely, with an extra length or two gained if it’s wet.
Dollar For Dollar is an uber-consistent Listed and Group 3 South Australian, and is another that will look for a forward position. He could sneak a top five finish if things go his way.
Oregon’s Day is a classy mare who faced an onerous task first-up with a huge weight against the boys, but lost no admirers with her performance.
She’s a gun second-up performer, and while this is an acid test, she appeals as the best roughie and somewhat forgotten in the odds.
Selections: 1.Vega Magic 2.Happy Clapper 3.Kementari 4.Oregon’s Day
While the Memsie is the highlight of the day, it is a serious card at Caulfield on Saturday, with quality horses all over the place.
Keep an eye on the Heatherlie Stakes with an eye to the Cups, looking for horses that can run well but still take improvement.
The McNeil Stakes can give us an early look at the Guineas contenders. The Heath 1100 has got some crack sprinters in it, and the Cockram Stakes is led by Catchy and I Am A Star.
Sydney hasn’t been left out, with Randwick also hosting their share of important races.
The Chelmsford Stakes is the nominal feature, but the Tramway Stakes sees a sensational field of sprinter/milers both new and old.
The Furious Stakes for the fillies always produces a story, and the Concorde gives us a chance to assess Redzel and Invincible Star ahead of The Everest.
Exciting times await.
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