2024 Memsie Stakes runner-by-runner form analysis and tips

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the eight runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Champion mare Pride Of Jenni again clashes with her old sparring partner Mr Brightside in Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

The $750,000 Group 1 Memsie Stakes will showcase the clash of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside at Caulfield on Saturday.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up in the 1400 metre weight-for-age feature – plus our top four selections.

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1 – MR BRIGHTSIDE

Star performer that’s the proven fresh horse at this level, having won first-up this track and distance at weight-for-age in three of his past four campaigns. Only beaten twice in seven Caulfield starts and has better than a 50 per cent strike rate at 1400m from 11 starts. Drawn perfectly.

VERDICT: The form says he’s a serious contender.

MR BRIGHTSIDE WINS THE C.F. ORR STAKES 🏆

5x GROUP 1 WINNER, WHAT A HORSE.@[e-mail]/AkH1vABpAT

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 10, 2024

2 – AEGON

Talented galloper on his day but his best results have generally come in New Zealand or when first-up in Australia, with the exception of the spring in 2022 when he won a Group 3 handicap this track and trip second-up. Hit the line hard in the PB Lawrence Stakes when resuming.

VERDICT: Drawn to get favours, place prospects best.

Top-class mare La Crique stormed back into Group One-winning form in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic this afternoon, Matt Cameron producing a perfect ride for deserving trainers Simon & Katrina Alexander! 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/HQbGjFdded

— LOVERACING.NZ (@LOVERACINGNZ) February 24, 2024

3 – GENTLEMAN ROY

He’s a hard horse to knock, coming into this off three wins, the latest at weight-for-age over this track and trip last start in the PB Lawrence Stakes. This is a big rise in class off his recent start but he does hold a fitness edge over the better credentialed runners.

VERDICT: This class will find him out.

Gentleman Roy can't be run down in the P.B. Lawrence! 💪

That's a FOUR-TIMER at Caulfield for @lindsayparkrace! pic.twitter.com/xiw1oQowko

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 17, 2024

4 – BANDERSNATCH

Talented galloper on his day but he’s had five goes at Group 1 weight-for-age company and he’s yet to finish in the placings. Produced a solid first-up performance in the Regal Roller but he’s likely to need another run or two before producing his best. Drawn favourably.

VERDICT: Unlikely to trouble the placegetters.

Arkansaw Kid too classy in the Regal Roller!

Treble for @lindsayparkrace at Caulfield today! 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/UX1wqIm8iE

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 17, 2024

5 – PINSTRIPED

Was doing his best work late first-up when finishing strongly to claim second in the PB Lawrence Stakes. He’s a horse with an excellent second-up record and he’s previously a Group 2 winner at weight-for-age. Drawn to get favours and has a race fitness edge over the favoured runners.

VERDICT: He’s in the mix to fill a placing.

Cause I'm Mr Brightside! 🎶

He goes back-to-back in the P.B. Lawrence! @[e-mail]/bLYos792py

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 19, 2023

6 – ANTINO

Queensland galloper that has plenty of hype attached to him and now it’s time for him to live up to the wraps. Looked the part winning the Group 2 Victory Stakes first-up over 1200m during the winter and two preparations back he won first-up over 1400m. Jamie Kah raved about him after a recent jumpout.

VERDICT: A must for trifecta players.

Antino is back! He wins the G2 Victory Stakes, and it’s three winners for @tonygollan and two for Vlad Duric at Eagle Farm!

@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/rWUEYSl9gk

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 4, 2024

7 – PRIDE OF JENNI

She’s the best horse in the land heading into the spring but the fact is she’s yet to win first-up in seven previous campaigns. In the autumn she finished second behind Mr Brightside resuming in the CF Orr Stakes and she’s only won once from 11 starts over 1400m. In saying all that, she’s gotten better and better – will she improve again?

VERDICT: She can defy her first-up and 1400m records.

“The ride of the century @decbates!”

Pride Of Jenni leads by a huge margin and wins the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in a bold front running display, in one of the most epic wins at Randwick ever!@[e-mail]/33Ejus8VL3

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 13, 2024

8 – VAGRANT

Talented mare but this is a whole new challenge she’s never faced before. Proven this track and distance, her biggest win came in February over 1200m in a Group 3 set weights plus penalties mares’ race. Struggled first-up in the Regal Roller.

VERDICT: Out of her depth.

Vagrant delivers in the Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes 👌 @beau_mertens picks up a double at Caulfield 👏 @Freedmanmitchpic.twitter.com/h4SjX0bYAO

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 3, 2024

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TIPS
1st – MR BRIGHTSIDE (No.1)
2nd – PRIDE OF JENNI (No.7)
3rd – PINSTRIPED (No.5)
4th – ANTINO (No.6)

Originally published as 2024 Memsie Stakes runner-by-runner form analysis and tips