The 2017 Memsie Stakes Form Guide is essential reading for punters and racing fans ahead of the Group 1 feature race at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.

Vega Magic will take his place in Saturday's Group 1 Memsie Stakes field. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Vega Magic will take his place in Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes field. Photo: Jenny Barnes

Some of the most exciting Spring Carnival prospects will step out in the classy Memsie Stakes field, however we have analysed every horse in detail, in order to help you find the race winner.

Defending champion Black Heart Bart will attempt to defend his crown in the Group 1 race, but will face plenty of stiff opposition in the likes of Vega Magic, Le Romain and Hey Doc.

Black Heart Bart

Defending champion Black Heart Bart has been in outstanding form since transferring to the care of Darren Weir and should prove extremely difficult to beat over 1400m at Caulfield in the Memsie Stakes. Resuming this year for second in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m), the Blackfriars gelding continued to stamp his dominance at the conditions of the Memsie Stakes by comfortably winning both the Group 1 Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Ladbrokes Futurity Stakes (1400m). Having run on well for third in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago, Black Heart Bart is drawn ideally in barrier 5 and will have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run.

Le Romain

Multiple Group 1 winner Le Romain could receive the run of the race in the Memsie Stakes from barrier 6 and is another horse that will carry wholesale improvement into the race following a strong first-up run. Posting wins in each of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) most notably in 2016, the Hard Spun gelding resumed in autumn for a smart win in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) before pipping Chautauqua on the line in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m). Second behind Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m), Le Romain failed to fire in the Doncaster Mile, but responded with a close second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). Having run well for second in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) on August 5th, Le Romain should enjoy a return to the Melbourne way of going and will be ridden by Ben Melham.

Tosen Stardom 

Japanese import Tosen Stardom is yet to completely live up to his billing since transferring to the care of Darren Weir, but he is more than capable under the conditions of the Memsie Stakes and should be right in the finish of this race. The Deep Impact entire stamped himself as a horse to follow during a hit-and-run campaign in Australia through the 2015 autumn, but returned to racing in autumn this year for consecutive second-place finishes in the Futurity Stakes and Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m). Having run on well for fifth in the PB Lawrence Stakes first-up, Tosen Stardom will be ridden by Blake Shinn in the Memsie Stakes from an ideal draw (barrier 4).

Humidor

Humidor returned to the races for a credible sixth in the PB Lawrence Stakes a fortnight ago and will also carry improvement into the Memsie Stakes. The Kiwi import exploded onto the Australian racing scene via an impressive autumn campaign this year, which was highlighted by a strong win in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and second-place finishes in each of the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m), Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) and Group 1 The BMW (2400m). Humidor may find this field a little sharp over the distance, but will find a good position off the early pace from barrier 11.

Vega Magic

Former Perth galloper Vega Magic is undefeated since transferring to the care of the Lindsay Park operation and is undoubtedly the horse to beat on Saturday after drawing into the Memsie Stakes field in barrier 3. Winner of both the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 AJ Scahill Stakes (1400m) during the Perth Summer Carnival, the Lope De Vega gelding flew home to win the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) in his first start for Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig on May 20th this year and resumed a fortnight ago for a smart win in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m).

Charmed Harmony

Veteran Charmed Harmony ran a gallant second in the PB Lawrence Stakes a fortnight ago and there is nothing to say that he can’t produce a similar performance and result in the Memsie Stakes. The Hussonet gelding has posted a commendable thirteen wins and nine minors throughout his forty-three career starts to date and resumed this time for a credible fourth in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m), in what was his only other start prior to the PB Lawrence Stakes. Young hoop Katelyn Mallyon retains the ride on Charmed Harmony, who should find little issue in taking up the running from barrier 2.

Jon Snow

Jon Snow was an impressive winner of the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in autumn, but he will likely find the quality of this Memsie Stakes field a little too sharp, particularly first-up, and will likely need a few runs and more distance to find his best form. The Iffraaj entire was strong and consistent in his native New Zealand prior to crossing the ditch earlier this year and won the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) by three lengths on a week prior to winning the Australian Derby. Jon Snow has trialled well leading into this race, but has been charged with overcoming barrier 10.

Hey Doc

Talented four-year-old Hey Doc carries winning form into the Memsie Stakes and is a live chance of winning the Group 1 feature race. Hey Doc resumed in autumn for a credible third in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m), before posting consecutive wins in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). The Duporth gelding failed to make much of an impact through two subsequent starts, but is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from a tough first-up win in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 12th.

Seaburge

Four-year-old Seaburge failed to come up in the autumn, but was a strong and consistent performer last spring and has trialled well leading into his first-up run in the Memsie Stakes. The Sebring entire was strong amongst his own age group as a three-year-old and finished close second in both the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) last spring. He has been charged with overcoming the outside barrier and may require this run to return to peak fitness.

Single Gaze

One of only three mares confirmed in the 2017 Memsie Stakes field, Single Gaze tends to become more competitive further into her campaigns and with incredible distance, and would need to muster a career-best performance to win this race. Winner of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) as a three-year-old during the 2015 autumn, the Not A Single Doubt mare produced a number of strong performances and results through autumn and winter this year; winning both the Listed Tails Stakes (1600m) and Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m) most notably.

I Am A Star

Group 1 winner I Am A Star completed a smart hit-out for fourth in the Aurie’s Star Handicap first-up and will relish a step-up to 1400m in the Memsie Stakes. The first three-year-old to win the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at the conclusion of an impressive spring campaign last year, I Am A Star took a couple of runs to find peak form upon resuming this year, but responded with impressive wins in both the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) and Group 2 Sunline Stakes (1600m). I Am A Star should find a good position in transit from barrier 7 and will be partnered by Luke Nolen.

Yankee Rose

Classy mare Yankee Rose is yet to be seen at the races in 2017, but has trialled well in the lead-up to the Memsie Stakes and should enjoy the conditions of the race first-up. Resuming last year for second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) before posting her maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the All American filly resumed in spring for a number of impressive results, including a strong win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and third in the Cox Plate. It is tough to see how she will fit into this Memsie Stakes field with no recent racing under her belt, but her class is obvious and she would not look out of place in the winner’s stall.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.