While the anticipation for the racing public on Saturday is glamour mare Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and her attempt to extend her winning streak to 19 in the G2 Chelmsford S. at Randwick, the first Group 1 of the Australian racing season will be contested 20 minutes earlier in Melbourne.
A field of 12, 11 of which will be first or second up this campaign, will take to the starting gate over 1400 metres for the Memsie S. at Caulfield. Won in the past by the likes of So You Think (NZ), Weekend Hussler (Aus), Atlantic Jewel (Aus), Dissident (Aus), Makybe Diva (GB) and Miss Finland (Aus), last year's winner Black Heart Bart (Aus) (Blackfriars {Aus}) will be attempting to become the first horse since the mighty Sunline (NZ) in 2000 and 2001 to record back-to-back victories.
The winner of five Group 1 races, three over the course and distance, the Darren Weir-trained gelding finished a pleasing third first-up behind Hartnell (GB), and although a win would not surprise, there are quite a few with chances in the A$1-million contest.
Finishing in the top three on 16 occasions from 19 starts, the multiple Group 1 winner Le Romain (Aus) (Hard Spun) is yet to crack it for a victory over 1400 metres, recording four second placed efforts from as many attempts, but his fresh performance over 1200 metres where he finished second suggests that Saturday's race could see the 1400 metres hoodoo broken for the Kris Lees-trained runner.
Impressive when resuming from a break in the Listed Regal Roller S. over 1200 metres at Caulfield, the former Western Australian galloper Vega Magic (Aus) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was a two-length winner over 1400 metres in December at Group 2 level, and appears very capable of remaining unbeaten since joining the stable of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
With five 4-year-olds set to contest the race, four having won at Group 1 level during their Classic season, the interesting runner is David Vandyke's G1 Spring Champion S. winner Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}), who is having her first start since an injury resulted in a poor performance in the G1 Crown Oaks in November last year. With two barrier trial runs under her belt in readiness for the Memsie, one would think she will be in need of the outing, but discount her at your own peril as she can produce some great sectionals if the race is run to suit.
G1 Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc (Aus) (Duporth {Aus}), who recorded an impressive return this season when triumphant in the Aurie's Star, will need to step up a little to prove his Group 1 worth in open company, but the Tony McEvoy-trained gelding has continued to improve with maturity and is one of many chances in an open race.
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