Group 1 Memsie Stakes: Pro punter preview and best bet

The Memsie Stakes is the first Group 1 race of the Victorian racing season, with the 2022 edition to be run at Caulfield on Saturday, August 25th.

A traditional lead-in to the Melbourne Spring Carnival, the Memsie Stakes is run over 1400 metres at Caulfield. It obtained Group 1 status in 2013. The race’s place in the calendar means it’s generally an early-campaign workout for many star horses who are headed to some of the Spring Carnival’s biggest races. As a result, punters can usually expect a high-quality field, with the majority of entrants having their first or second run for the preparation.

Memsie Stakes 2022: Trevor Lawson’s preview

Track The rail is in the true. It’ll all depend on the rain that we get, of course. It’s a Soft 6 early. It should be around a 5 or 6 you’d think, with some rain to come beforehand and then a bit of heat on Saturday itself. It should have some give without being a genuine wet track

Speed The pace here is from Alligator Blood, Snap Dancer and Callsign Mav.

Runner-by-runner

Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.

5 WESTERN EMPIRE [$5.50] has a good winning record in Perth including a scintillating win in the Group 1 Railway Stakes. Resumes here for new trainer Danny O’Brien. Drawn out but could go forward.

3 ALLIGATOR BLOOD [$6] ran well in Brisbane for new trainers Waterhouse and Bott. He resumes here off a short spell. He gets a good run here off the map and has a good chance.

11 ILLATION [$7] is an unbeaten 4YO who was impressive in Adelaide. He’s drawn wide here but has a good winning chance if he can get a good run.

12 TOFANE [$7] is a 7YO mare resuming. She has a good record at this trip, maps to get a good run and has a chance at odds.

2 CASCADIAN [$7.50] resumes here. Drawn to settle midfield and also has a chance at odds.

1 I’M THUNDERSTRUCK [$9] is another resuming here. He’s a good horse fresh and is drawn out here. He probably settles back and will be running on. Rough chance.

14 SNAPDANCER [$10] has winning ways and resumes here off a short break, but all her best form is at 1200 metres. She has a chance at odds but I would prefer her over shorter.

6 CALLSIGN MAV [$20] resumes here. He’s drawn out and rolls forward. He’s generally good fresh and is a chance at big odds.

13 DUAIS [$21] is the Australian Cup winner resuming here. She’s drawn out and will get back. I would prefer her over further.

4 NONCONFORMIST [$26] resumes off a 315-day break. He will be running on. Would prefer him out to further distance however.

10 LIGHTSABER [$34] resumes here and settles handy in the run. Only a rough chance.

7 ELEPHANT [$51] was disappointing first-up in a race that wasn’t run to suit. Not sure he has the class here.

8 ZEYREK [$61] and 9 DRAGON LEAP [$34] aren’t good enough to figure here.

Runner-by-runner

Top pick Western Empire

This is always a bit of a tricky race with so many resuming. Western Empire is certainly on top for me and looks a nice price – happy to back him.