We are set for the first Melbourne Group 1 of the season at Caulfield on Saturday, and the Memsie Stakes headlines an exciting ten-race program!
I’ve run the rule over every galloper, and you can find my 2023 Memsie Stakes Day Tips below.
MRC Foundation Caulfield Handicap (1600m) – 12:05pm
He’s drawn the outside barrier, but Blazerro has improved for three starts back from a break, and he does look ready to win at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day.
The Pierro gelding finished more than five lengths behind the winner when resuming here in July, but has since filled the minors of a couple of decent BM70 races at Sandown since.
Fitter again, this looks the perfect opportunity to return to the Saturday metro ranks.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Blazerro
Changing Places Real Estate Handicap (1400m) – 12:35pm
Presser has returned to the races in sharp form and rates as a key winning chance again on Saturday.
The Archie Alexander-trained gelding won each of his first two starts back this time, including a near three-length domination in BM70 company two back, before finishing only half a length behind the winner at Flemington last time.
He’s hard fit, drawn well and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 16 Presser
Fierce Impact – Pedigree Physique Performance (1400m) – 1:10pm
Reo makes her return to the races at Caulfield on Saturday, and it looks a nice launchpad for her.
The Rubick mare returned a winner at Sandown back in April, and while she didn’t show a lot in Group 2 company in Brisbane second-up, she went to the paddock after running second in the Queensland Oaks.
I’m confident she will be better as she gets further out in trip, but she is clearly capable of a sharp fresh performance as well, and the price available at publish is big overs.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Reo
Evergreen Turf Handicap (2000m) – 1:45pm
Chandon Burj has continued to strip fitter with each run back from a break, and I don’t think she’ll get a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company than this.
The Pride Of Dubai mare is yet to strike in five starts back this time, but she worked home well into fourth at The Valley two back before replicating that performances last time.
The rise in trip this week suits, she drops slightly in the weights and Damien Oliver takes the ride.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Chandon Burj
Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) – 2:20pm
Barber was scratched from the San Domenico Stakes in Sydney last week to instead run here, and he has opened favourite in McNeil Stakes betting.
The Exceed And Excel colt was excellent during his two-year-old campaign, winning each of his first three career starts most notably.
While he did go a little amiss in the Group 1 sprints, he went to the paddock after a far better performance in the Kindergarten Stakes, and he’s been set some lofty targets this time.
From the good draw and under Blake Shinn, this looks a very winnable launchpad.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Barber
Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) – 2:55pm
This is a strong edition of the Heatherlie Stakes and plenty of leading stayers are engaged, including Emissary.
Emissary proved to be one of the standout distance horses of last year’s Spring Carnival well he followed up a smart win in the Geelong Cup with a career-best performance for second in the Melbourne Cup.
He didn’t manage to strike in three autumn starts this year, but he was far from disgraced around some top-liners, and he has missed the placings just once in six previous fresh attempts.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Emissary
Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) – 3:35pm
Benedetta takes winning form into the Cockram Stakes, and it looks the perfect feature race for her.
Benedetta was nothing short of outstanding during her debut prep in summer and autumn, winning four of six starts and placing on the other two occasions.
Having returned this time to win in BM84 company at Flemington, she’s open to big improvement and she can continue her rise through the grades.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Benedetta
Group 2 The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100m) – 4:15pm
This race has been won by some sprinting stars since the turn of the century, and I am confident that Asfoora will join that list on Saturday.
Asfoora has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence second debuting at Colac back in December 2021, and recorded consecutive wins in black type company during her spring prep last year.
She was set for a fresh attempt at the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in autumn this year, ultimately finishing third, while her subsequent starts heralded consecutive fourth placings in The Galaxy and The Quokka.
A recent trial performance adds further confidence, and she can make a winning return in The Heath 1100.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Asfoora
Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) – 4:50pm
The 2023 Memsie Stakes field is headlined by some of the best middle-distance horses in the country, including Mr Brightside, I Wish I Win and Alligator Blood.
I’ve put I Wish I Win on top, but check out my full race preview and complete 2023 Memsie Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 I Wish I Win
Neds Super Saturday Handicap (1400m) – 5:25pm
I had Kalino on top of a similar race in Sydney last week before he was scratched, and I’m just as keen on him in Melbourne instead!
The Pierro gelding returned a winner in BM88 company at Rosehill in July before finishing a credible fifth behind Buenos Noches in the Show County Quality last time.
Fitter third-up and dropping in class, he’ll take plenty of beating.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Kalino
