The John Sadler trained Charmed Harmony has been scratched from the Group 1 $1m New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today after the track was upgraded.

Charmed Harmony, above, has been scratched from the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Charmed Harmony, above, has been scratched from the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Caulfield track was upgraded from a Good 4 to Good 3 late in the morning and Racing Victoria stewards allowed Sadler to withdraw the eight year old, leaving a field of eleven to contest the $1 million weight for age Group 1.

The scratching of Charmed Harmony hasn’t affected the Memsie Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au to any great degree with the Lindsay Park trained Vega Magic remaining the $2.10 favourite, but it will alter the race tactics for several runners in the field as the front running baldy faced chestnut was the anticipated pacemaker.

The Tony McEvoy trained Hey Doc is on the second line of betting at $6.50 just ahead of Le Romain at $7 and last year’s Memsie Stakes winner Black Heart Bart at $8.

Vega Magic scored an impressive first up win for the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in the Group 1 $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20 and then returned to the race track after a short break for a tough win with 60.5kg on his back in the Listed $120,000 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.