It’s not a vintage Memsie Stakes – a time honoured campaign launcher – but, nevertheless, this Gr2 feature race and several others here and at Rosehill this Saturday will be subjected to close scrutiny, especially as the Doubles Bookies have now got their teasers well and truly posted. The next time we are at the Heath will be a bumper – a free day for the cracking Underwood Stakes Day – and I expect some of the same horses to be in contention as will parade this weekend.
Last year it was So You Think who put his stamp on this meeting and the Spring, but tomorrow’s field (MR6, WFA, 1400m) doesn’t have such a drawcard. Amongst a heap of quality stayers resuming, with no apparent pace and a toppy that has convictions when short, the real interest is undoubtedly in Peter Moody’s Kiwi acquisition, King’s Rose. This mare has won 6 from 12 including the NZ Guineas and might be a WFA star amongst a batch of handicappers. But I can’t bet “sight unseen”, so will instead peruse Racing Review and watch her, along with other “horses of interest”, including Bart’s Cup hope (in my opinion) Precedence, and Rekindled Interest, which might be in for a stellar campaign in the grand tradition of past AAMI Vase winners. Forced to punt, I’d be E/W Red Colossus at 16/1.
Some of the more interesting races come earlier in the day. Unusually, the first is fascinating. Typically, Moody holds the key. Usually, that unlocks the result. His fascinating nom is Bob Scarborough’s Seymour maiden winner, Thousand Guineas bound Hurriyet (MR1, No5), sister of the magnificent Samantha Miss. The toppy, Cute Emily (blinkers first time), is getting D. Stackhouse’s claim, whilst L. Nolen, who mostly gets first dibs for P.G. Moody, is on Plucky Belle, another last start Seymour maiden winner, which was unlucky at its Flemington debut last prep. As they say, “watch market”!
I’ll be looking to Miss Gai Flyer (R2, No1) to recoup last start’s losses for me in the heat of the Sprint Series, excusing her run up the straight and preferring her as proven around the bend.
Another which has abused my trust, Ocean Challenger (MR3, No4), is nevertheless earning a final shot at redemption in a race in which she should box seat and be enormous E/W value.
Strangely, the McNeil Stakes (Gr3, Listed, 3YO,1200m)has not gained Quaddy status but appears, for mine, the race of the day at Caulfield. Golden Archer, surrounded by excellent track and black type form, will probably be the popular elect, but it is an open scamper. Satin Shoes and Metonyme are the obvious dangers, but Snowden’s Glissade and others on Guineas campaigns pose real threats. I’m interested in Cross of Gold (MR4, No10, vaulting from its winning Geelong debut, as I reckon Hayes’ horses might have turned the corner.
The other good sprint on Saturday’s MRC card is the Listed Slickpix Stakes (MR7, 1100m), in which I was going to chase my losses with Panipique, but am worried at the scratching of Obsedian Dragon which has robbed the race of predictable pace. Avenue (5) will get across a bit easier now but he’s not in my punting book. 1 and 8 will be in my deliberations.
For the get out I’ll be looking to the first emergency, Eraset (MR8, No17.) Despite my preference for Danny O’Brien’s horses at Flemington, this looks an excellent escape option.
Local patrons will also be keeping a key eye on Sydney monitors, especially for the Run To The Rose, the admirable lead in to the tremendously successful Golden Rose, a $1m set weights 1400m race a fortnight hence. It’s favourite, Smart Missile – “the only horse to have beat Sepoy”!- resumes here and faces race fitter Foxwedge, the flying Karuta Queen and dual Gr1 winner Helmet. 3.15pm. Watch.
For those with a great passion or with little else to do, the J.J. Houlihan Hurdle and Grand National Steeple meeting is out at Sandown on Sunday.
I’ll be perched on my gammy ankle and swinging the bag at both Melbourne meetings over the weekend. Say g’day if you are going or offer some wisdom online otherwise. And good luck!
Anyone serious about futures punting better tune in to NZ races today as a stack of Spring aspirants contest….Hastings R9 2.16pm
The great mare Horlicks died this week…Japan Cup, MacKinnon Stakes etc.
Cleverly named, my puerile mind initially equated the name with her Sire, Three Legs, before recognising the connection with her Dam, Malt.
Horlicks was also a great broodmare, with Cup winner Brew the standout. Bubble and Latte were other catchy named offspring inspired by one of NZ’s finest.
Captured the mood there Crio, not a vintage Memsie Stakes itself but a great raceday ahead with some likely “future reference” formlines in the offing. Nice to finally have a Good 3 track too. Will note that P.Moody seems to be pulling plenty of puppet strings out there today! The NZ race looks a ripper.
For what it’s worth…
R1 – nice little opener, will be looking on, but watching long-shot Lipari with view to further distances. Have backed it at 300-1 to win Thousand Guineas! Couldnt find an Oaks market yet.
R4 – Great betting race this one, loads of genuine chances, should be a quaddie event. Might stick with Metonymy on times/weights, ate up the ground late after being held up last time
R5 – Keen on Vesper, backed it last night as I think the money will come for it today
R6 – A watch and learn race, if Heart of Dreams can’t win today it might never win again! Looking forward to seeing spruik horse King’s Rose and return of Shamrocker. Agree Precedence a big Cup hope.
R7 – Always been an Avenue fan, loves the Caulfield bend. Got on last night before it gets crunched in today. Moody has hedged throwing Panapique in as the run-on horse
R8 – Go wide for your Quaddie!
Happy punting…
DD-
they seem to be presenting avenue with an easy passage across as Anabaa’a is now out as well.seems the right race but I’m just not a fan.
Agree re Vesper.
Will never back Heart of Dreams under 6/1. Everything is right burt I reckon his winning days are gone.
Rekindled Interest (my Cox Plate watch) has a sister going around in Sydney SR2 Noi7…as usual, it is meant to be even better!
See you out there.
Any tips for Murtoa? I had luck with Marilouise at Donald a few starts back; she’s No 4 in the last at Murta. My biggest frustration with todays, 27/8, meets is that Berrigan does not have TAB status. They lost this around 2004. For small rural communities, amd their tracks, TAB status is important. In VIctoria it’is good to see tracks like Hanging Rock have regained TAB status at some meets. Giving these small tracks TAB coverered meets, means they get noticed, and can have a chance to draw in some good horses, crowds, and revenure. If the state racing boards and TAB’s lose a few $ doing this, it’s hardly likely they will go broke. Economies of false scale.
Glen,
The national broadcast is jammed, so clubs like Berrigan get jammed! That’s about it. I concur in principle.
Fair enough Crio, but as they say in the classics,”Not happy Jan”. Any how, i finished up in front today, so it’s not all gloom and doom.
Who saw Smart Missile’s win? And what does it mean for spring?
It means a lot more hype and potential contest for Sepoy if they go the same way. He does strike me as a run off the track on the turn Caulfield Guineas horse though! Doesn’t mean he doesn’t still win it.
Sepoy will stick to the sprints. Smart Missile has to learn to win in a big field with a tight straight – ripper horse but Caulfield can be their undoing.