Track: Good Weather: Fine

Twelve runners, seven of which are Group 1 winners, are set to line up in the first Group 1 of the Victorian racing season – the $1,000,000 Memsie Stakes.  Three of these are trained interstate and one is trained in New Zealand.  Last years winner Behemoth is back to defend his title and looks likely to jump as the favourite.  He comes here second up after winning the Spring Stakes at Morphettville on protest on August 8 and looks to be going as well as ever.  The second favourite is Tofane who resumes off a short break.  She had a terrific Brisbane carnival winning both the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and the Group 1 Tatts Tiara – both races were run at Eagle Farm.

Inspirational Girl was formerly trained in Western Australia and is now under the care of Danny O’Brien at Barwon Heads.  She has an impressive winning strike rate and wears the famous cerise and white colours.  Beau Rossa finished second to Behemoth last start and will be ridden by Ben Melham.  Aegon is the least experienced runner in the field having had just seven starts – however he is already a Group 1 winner.  Sierra Sue won the P B Lawrence here last start and loves racing over this distance.  Collette races better over further but it wouldn’t shock to see her sprint well fresh, while Streets Of Avalon will role forward and make his own luck.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Fifty Stars

This dual Australian Cup winner is now under the full time care of Tom Dabernig at Warrnambool.  He wasn’t beaten far in the All Aged Stakes over 1400m in April but normally needs the run first up.  Consider for multiples.

2. Behemoth

Last years winner.  I loved his win first up in the Spring Stakes where he was outsprinted on the turn but knuckled down late to reel in Beau Rossa.  By all reports he is going as well as ever and looks well drawn here in barrier nine for Jamie Kah.  A leading contender.

3. Streets Of Avalon

Group 1 winner this track and distance.  His first up run in the Bletchingly was very good, however he was a drifter last start and ran according.  If he finds his best he has an each way chance here.

4. Archedemus

On pacer who weakened out in the Lawrence first up.  Hard to recommend off that.

5. Red Can Man

Former WA galloper who is now with David Brideoake.  He was heavily backed in the Lawrence last start where he was on the quick back up and ran well to finish third.  This is harder.

6. Sansom

Disappointed last start after a narrow win first up in the Bletchingly.  Doubt he is good enough to win here.

7. Aegon

Lightly race Kiwi gelding who is resuming.  He won the Hobartville in the Autumn and gets the synthetic hoof filler off for the first time which could be a positive but does he need a wet track? Include in multiples.

8. Beau Rossa

Dominant win first up in the Lighting Stakes in Adelaide, then kicked clear in the Spring Stakes to win narrowly before losing the race on protest to Behemoth.  He should get a soft run on the fence and if the breaks come at the right time can be in the finish at an each way price.

9. Colette

Classy Godolphin mare who won the Apollo Stakes by two lengths over this distance in February.  She has the class to be winning here but will need some luck from the outside barrier.

10. Tofane

Terrific mare who is now a three time Group 1 winner.  She won the Stradbroke Handicap and Tatts Tiara in June and looks well placed to run well again here – at her pet distance – off the short break.

11. Inspirational Girl

One of prominent owner Bob Peters horses now under the care of Danny O’Brien.  She has nine wins from her twelve starts and a strong first up record.  Would imagine she will drift back from barrier 3 and may need some luck.  If the breaks come her way she looks capable of running into the first three.

12. Sierra Sue

Unleased a huge finish to win the Mildura Cup two starts ago, then backed it up winning the Lawrence at her last start.  She maps to get a gun run again and loves this distance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Behemoth	2. Behemoth
11. Inspirational Girl	9. Colette
7. Aegon	11. Inspirational Girl
5. Red Can Man	10. Tofane

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality 2021 (Kembla Grange 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1100m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2021 (Kembla Grange 2000m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2021 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2021 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 12. Sierra Sue.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2. Behemoth
2nd	8. Beau Rossa	0.2 length
3rd	10. Tofane	0.7 length
4th	7. Aegon	2.2 lengths