Tips, suggested bets and feature race preview for the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield 29/08/2026.
Finally some pleasant weather heading into spring but we did get hit with a few decent showers on Friday. Last meeting here with rail TRUE the track favoured those on-speed on the fresh ground, rail goes OUT 4M today, but we should get even racing and doubt we will see them coming off the rails to the middle of the track like they have been over the winter meetings. Not sure we will get much of an improve on the track, weather is clear but mild and probably still staying in the genuine SOFT range. Some extremely open races here and plenty to bet on today so we are going to double up to $100 outlay with plenty of double-figure chances in the selections.
For Spring Campaign 2026 we won’t be posting tips till Saturday morning (earlier if time allows). Feature race preview at the bottom of this post.
BEST WIN: Race 10: 12-TEN COMMANDMENTS $15 WIN
This one has been absolutely flying this time in, went early and kept going first-up to thrash them, cleared away from them second up and last start here came extremely wide on the track on a day where all the winners were nearer the inside. The one miss this time in was here two starts back he was ridden to the lead against his normal racing pattern, over raced, the winners were coming out wide and swooping and he led on the inside and was still only just beaten. Definitely needs some give in the ground, which he should get and as long as the track stays a genuine soft by the end of the day happy to back him straight out here at around $6 taking an on-speed sit in a race where there seems to be a lot of speed.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 3: 8-LITZDEEL $7.50 EW
We have a bit of time for this one, she goes forward and makes her own luck, and there may be a good staying race with her name on it this spring. Tough first-up when she was not beaten far and they were swooping and winning that day. Should be a lot fitter for that run and like that she has drawn barrier (1) on a day where the rails should be no disadvantage and in a field with a long tail she can get the perfect run on-speed here. Best form is dry tracks, but not sure there is that much pressure up front here and she should be in the finish at around $8.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 5: 2-SALTY PEARL $7.50 EW
QUINELLA Race 5: 2-SALTY PEARL#3,4,6,9,10 x $5 = 100%
One we follow and do wonder if she is better off over shorter distances as she tended to find a few better once she got past 1600M last preparation. First-up here over 1200M last time in she was incredibly unlucky, shuffled back in the field along the inside and came weaving through the pack to not miss by much at all. There looks to be really good speed in this race today, and she is drawn wide this year to get clear running and come running over the top of them late. Back each-way at around $13 and anchor in a quinella with the on-speed, in-form favourite the 6-SHADHAVAR (who is going to get more pressure today), the up and coming 10-GOLD MEDALIST, the 3-WROTE TO ARATAKI and 4-BOSSY BENITA who are both on-speed and capable in these sort of races and the super frustrating 9-PANDALOWIE who we suspect may also be suited by the speed here and may put in a run at odds.
BEST EACH WAY: Race 7: 3-RICH ON BUBBLES $7.50 EW
Pretty even field of 3YOs here early in the spring and think this one is over the odds. Ran into the race nicely along the rails here last start when he hit the lead and just seemed to finish on the run first-up in a bunched finish, and the inside wasn’t the best going later in the day. Will be fitter for that, and should be able to settle more forward here today with the right ride and there doesn’t seem to be that much obvious speed in this race. Each way at a very generous $20.
QUINELLA Race 1: 5,7,8,13 boxed x $6 = 100%
The 5-BUTTERNUT PRINCESS looks hard to beat here off a good run last start, but she doesn’t win that often. Value in a quinella with the improving 8-MISS MARANDA who was really unlucky here two starts back, the 7-ENVIABLE from Sydney on-speed and a roughie at the bottom of the weights with an apprentice claim in the 13-ALL BUSINESS.
BEST ROUGH: Race 2: 12-AUTUMNHEAT $3 EW
This one took forever to win his maiden but he had run some pretty good races before that. Fitter for the two runs in and looks ready to show something today, he stuck on pretty well here last start in a furiously run race. Needs a positive ride from an outside barrier, there isn’t much speed here at all and if he goes forward and takes a position here he may be in the finish at around $35.
BEST ROUGH: Race 8: 4-BUCKAROO $3 WIN, $5 PLACE
Outsider in the feature race, but he has managed to place in both his last two campaigns first-up over Caulfield WFA 1400M at long odds, and against similar fields, so decent chance he is going to do it again. Like that he is drawn wide, he will drop back to last and try and come down the middle of the track, but he will need them to go fast enough in front to allow him to run on. Going to start $60 again, so definitely worth putting him in a rough chance in your exotics.
BEST ROUGH: Race 9: 5-ROYAL SUPREMANCY $2.50 EW
QUINELLA Race 9: 5,9,10,14,16 boxed x $5 = 50%
This is always a very tricky betting race, field full of stayers early in the spring and in a field of drop back horses worth watching out for those on-speed. This one ticks that box, and has been more consistent than most of these over staying trips the last two preparations, settling on-speed and giving himself every chance. Hard to tell how forward he is, and we need the jockey to go forward today and if he does he will have a head start on many of the better chances in this. Back each way at around $25 and in an even race box up a quinella with the lightly-weighted and in form 16-FIRST CHORUS, the import 14-ZAHRANN who showed staying promise last preparation, the tough wet track on-speed 9-JUST FOLK (who only just gets this distance), and the favourite the 10-YELLOW JERSEY who looks way too short in a big field of stayers this early on in the spring.
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 2: 15 BLUE WILLOW at around $4.60
Been impressive over winter with long swooping runs from last on heavy Sandown tracks but this will be a very different race. Drawn inside, tends to be slowly away and drop back and would need them to really run along here and to come down the middle of the track which may not be the racing pattern. Happy to risk.
TURF DELI WONDER BET: Here we try and turn $5 into our very own Caulfield Buggy
TRIFECTA Race 8: 9,12 / 1,4,7,9,12 / 1,2,4,5,6,7,9,12 x $5 = 10.42%
Wide open feature race and likely to be a decent trifecta dividend if something out of the ordinary like 4-BUCKEROO or 6-BIRDMAN gets into the finish.
SUGGESTED QUADDIE:
Races 7,8,9,10: 1,3,9,10 / 9,12 / 3,5,9,10,14,15,16 / 1,11,12 x $20 = 11.9%
Have to be bold here with an open feature race where you either go two out or take about six runners. Best chance of some value is in the third leg and quaddie should be well today.
Feature Race Preview: RACE 8: MEMSIE STAKES 1400M GROUP 1 WFA
Spring kick-off for nearly all of these and we need to work out who is going to be forward enough and at their best here or has the class to perform first-up. Speed is always an issue in these early WFA races and the clear leader here is the 10-BEIWACHT with not much else at all likely to put any pressure on. The 1-MR BRIGHTSIDE normally settles handy as does the 12-TREASURETHE MOMENT and they are both going to get cosy runs behind the speed here, with the 9-AUTUMN BOY next in running.
Runner by Runner comments:
1-MR BRIGHTSIDE just keeps turning up in these sort of races, placed 8 from 10 first up, 11 from 12 at Caulfield and 13 from 15 over the distance and yet to miss the place in 9 starts this track and distance. Some talk around that his trials have been a bit lacklustre and good chance he might take a few runs to find best form now that he is getting on in age. Second in this race last year first-up behind the (12), 2nd in this race in 2024 and won this race in 2023. He had the autumn off after a small bone chip operation, and get the feeling punters are thinking he may need the run here – longer layoff than usual, slowly coming into spring through some trials and jump outs and may be taking it a bit easier this time in. Normally you would want to be all over him coming into a race like this where he has been proven time and time again. Prefer place, but would never write him off.
2-JIMMYSTAR has been kept mainly to sprinting trips last few preparations with a fair bit of success but is back to attempting 1400M first-up here. Another with excellent stats won 5/8 first-up, 5/7 at Caulfield and placed 8 from 10 over the 1400M. Can get back in his races and need luck bursting through the field and lack of pressure up front here is unlikely to help. Won the C.F.Orr at the end of spring here last year, but that was at the end of his preparation, question is how will he go over 1400M first-up? All his good fresh runs have been over sprint distances. He is more of a fresh horse than most of his rivals here though, many of whom would have later spring targets. Middle draw is good as he will need to get to outside here, do prefer him on dry tracks though so would want a track on the improve. Strong chance.
3-TOM KITTEN is more than capable in these sorts of races but normally takes a few runs in to find his best form each time in. Won over this track and distance Group 3 level first-up last time in, but he does tend to drop back in the run and has barrier 1 here in a slowly run race so he might need some luck. Definitely prefer a firm track for this one, and we would want a track on the better side of slow. Quite capable though and can run top four here if he is forward enough. Place.
4-BUCKAROO has managed to be right in the finish of Caulfield Cups and Cox Plates and continues to be a little under-rated and also a bit frustrating for punters to catch. His last two first-up runs were 3rd at $61 in this race last year zooming along the inside and 2nd at $31 in the Futurity in the autumn both times coming from last on the home turn. And he is going to start at $67 again this year? Oh dear – punters are tempting fate here. Won a soft trial leading into this. Good chance he actually may be better over the shorter distances, and definitely does not run the staying 3200M. May not win, but good chance he can run top four again and if you are taking an exotic you would be mad not to put him in off the last two first-up runs this track and distance. Rough.
5-ANGEL CAPTIAL is racking up the hard luck stories and excuses with every start and think punters are starting to tire of him. He has an awful habit of getting too far back, held up for runs and bursting through too late, and has been beaten favourite around the $3 mark on quite a few occasions. Great sectionals but!! Best form is fresh and prefer him over 1400M dry track and Caulfield – and the plus he has today is having a run in against these who are nearly all first-up. Has a great finishing sprint and he is drawn well – can they get him to settle handy for once and have a chance? Another would want an improving track on the better side of slow. Chance if you are brave enough to go again.
6-BIRDMAN was a fair staying type who seemed to go up another notch last campaign when kept to slightly shorter trips. He has been taking up good positions in his races and running into the finish at the right time and winning with good margins. His first-up stats don’t look the best but his last two first-up runs have actually been OK. Two fair trials coming into this so hard to know how forward he is for today. This is a decent challenge first-up, but just get the feeling he is a better horse now and he seems to be going up a level or two. Rough chance.
7-COSMIC CRUSADER comes into this race with the massive advantage of fitness and form and has never looked like losing the last two starts. We made the mistake of taking him on last start as he was facing tougher opposition, and today is another leap again to the top level Group 1 horses, but the fitness is a huge plus. Drawn wide and likely to drop back and may get into a tricky position here if they don’t run along in front. Jockey Pike over from WA to ride. Would want to see a track where they can run down the middle of the track and win, but he has to go in as the fit and in-form horse. Chance.
8-SABAJ has always shown a fair bit of talent and potential but that has been in lower grade races and stepping right up to the top level here. Two trials to warm up for this. Fair run at WFA in the Australian Cup, but surely he is heading for a 1600M handicap feature this time in? Passing.
9-AUTUMN BOY is the classy 3YO going into his 4YO season and always interest in these sort of types in these races. Won the Caulfield Guineas here last spring and looks really well suited here, he can sit just off the speed and get every chance here. Again the question is how forward he is, not pushed out in trials leading into this. Good barrier a big plus too. Will be in the right position in running here and his 3YO form is top notch for this. Strong chance.
10-BEIWACHT best form is leading over 1400M and he strikes the perfect race here with a clear lead and possible good ground on-speed. His previous lead and win 1400M runs were off a few runs in so question is how forward he is for this – you need a really fit horse to jump and run and win over 1400M. Trials have been good so likely to be quite forward. He was entered to run last week in the Winx Stakes in Sydney and was scratched race day morning with a slight temperature, obviously nothing too serious, but this race wasn’t the initial plan. Market will tell us how forward he is. Very wary of this one and elevate if track is racing on-speed, but would have really preferred him with a run or two in. Chance.
11-PLANET RED has shown plenty of potential over the 1400M to 1600M trips and right in the finish of the feature 3YO races. Likes Caulfield, but does tend to drop back in his race and tricky ride here from barrier 2 off a slow tempo. Prefer on a firm track. He will definitely be running on late but probably not today. Passing.
12-TREASURETHE MOMENT is the classy WFA mare but she does seem to be prone to bugs and maybe needs some more vitamins. Thrashed them first-up in this race last year and looked set to dominate the spring, but then had a few set-backs, and was still great in the Cox Plate. These early WFA races suit her perfectly as she can position on speed and use her class to hold them off. Again the trials haven’t been outstanding, but she is proven at this level and gets the perfect run here. Strong chance.
Summary: There really isn’t much between the top 4-5 chances here and any of them could win this without surprising. We want to side with the 4YO 9-AUTUMN BOY, just really like the run he is going to get here settling just behind the speed, there are a few ifs, buts and maybes about his opposition and jockey McDonald is down in Melbourne to ride him early in the spring. Main danger is the 12-TREASURETHE MOMENT who will also get the perfect run and may make it back to back wins. Fit and in-form 7-COSMIC CRUSADER the other leading contender, but we want to sneak the roughie 4-BUCKAROO into the tips simply because he has ran a race at long odds this track and distance to kick off his last two campaigns, and history definitely repeats so you would be mad not to have a little something on him today. Good betting race so we can back the top two picks straight out and have something on the roughie.
Race 1: 5-BUTTERNUT PRINCESS, 8-MISS MARANDA, 7-ENVIABLE
Race 2: 14-JENNI MULTABELLA, 12-AUTUMNHEAT, 2-MAKDANE
Race 3: 8-LITZDEEL, 10-DARKBONEE, 14-SHOCKLETZ
Race 4: 13-ITAZURA, 15-WATERSPORTS, 18-VICTORIUS SPIRIT
Race 5: 2-SALTY PEARL, 6-SHADHAVAR, 10-GOLD MEDALIST
Race 6: 9-BRIDAL WALTZ, 3-OLIVEANOTHERDAY, 5-HARRY’S YACHT
Race 7: 3-RICH ON BUBBLES, 1-SEIZE THE DAY, 10-AETHERA
Race 8: 9-AUTUMN BOY, 12-TREASURETHE MOMENT, 4-BUCKAROO
Race 9: 16-FIRST CHORUS, 5-ROYAL SUPREMANCY, 14-ZAHRANN
Race 10: 12-TEN COMMANDMENTS, 11-SASS APPEAL, 1-ANOTHER WIL
