Almanac Horseracing: Caulfield, Saturday 30 August 2025 – Memsie Stakes Day

Caulfield, Saturday 30 August 2025 – Memsie Stakes Day

 

Spring is in the air; footy finals are just around the corner and Group level racing returns to Victoria on Saturday with the running of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield. There are also three Group 3 races on the support program and, most importantly, a race very close to many hearts in the Western District, Race 4, the ‘Remembering Mikaela Claridge’ over 2000m. Mikaela grew up and went to school in Hamilton, where her family still lives, and was a 22-year-old apprentice jockey when she thrown from a horse she was riding early in the morning on 30 August 2019 and fatally injured.

The Memsie Stakes, Race 9 on the program, draws a strong field together and sees the weight for age star of recent years Mr Brightside with the number 1 saddlecloth. The big question will be how he has come up after an Autumn campaign which finished with him running 13^th of 13 in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on 27 April. He was in great form before that race but there must be a slight question mark over how he’s come through that run. His two jumpouts leading into this haven’t provided a positive guide in my opinion.

I’m going with 6 Another Wil for Ciaron Maher and Jamie Melham. He races well first up, handles soft/heavy ground, has drawn to get the run of the race, and he did beat Mr Brightside in the C F Orr Stakes at this track and distance back in February. He was then narrowly beaten in the All Star Mile at Flemington and the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick to finish that preparation. He’s had two jumpouts leading into this and he’s the safe each way option. 1 Mr Brightside goes in for second – my only question mark over him is how he’s come up from the Hong Kong run, but other than that he ticks all the boxes. 11 Treasure the Moment is a multiple Group 1 winner, has finished first or second in all eleven career starts, races well fresh and, at this track and distance, handles soft ground, and whilst this will be a step up again for her going into open company, she can run into a place. 4 Here to Shock has race fitness and was good behind Private Eye over this track and distance first up. He handles soft ground and will race on pace here. 3 Antino will have residual fitness on his side and 8 Is It Me has race fitness on his side, handles soft/heavy ground and finished his last preparation in great form, but this is a big step up in class.

I’m leaving 9 Fangirl out as, with the weather forecast over the next couple of days, I don’t think she will appreciate the conditions, if she in fact runs.

6 Another Wil – 1 Mr Brightside – 11 Treasurethe Moment – 4 Here to Shock

 

Outside of the Memsie Stakes, 5 Gilded Water could kick the day off for the King and Ciaron Maher in Race 1. He’s lightly raced but a winner in Australia in his first preparation and soft ground shouldn’t be an issue. He may be a horse to follow into the Spring as the races get longer.

 

And, to bookend the day, 10 Sepals is the one to beat in Race 10, the last on the day. His three year old form was good earlier this year, culminating in a last start fourth in the Australian Guineas over 1600m, beaten a little over 2 lengths. He was scratched at the barriers when set to resume two weeks ago and has had three jumpouts now to prepare for this.

 

Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you’re about to lose.

 

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