Pinstriped boilover in Memsie Stakes boilover a triumph for the battlers

Some of Pinstriped’s owners shed tears of joy as their star delivered them a fairytale Group 1 victory in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Rod West (right) celebrates with connections of Pinstriped after his upset win in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Pictures: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

“We thought the Gunbower Cup was amazing.”

Rod West’s previous racing high was once in a famous country cup but he and the big team of owners now own a Group 1 winner after Pinstriped’s Memsie Stakes triumph at Caulfield.

Some of Pinstriped’s owners, many wearing red, black and white ties in the colours of their new racing star, shed tears of joy as Pintstriped returned to the mounting yard.

Pinstriped took on Victoria’s best gallopers Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the $750,000 contest but emerged victorious as a $14 chance in a minor upset.

Popular Cranbourne trainer Enver Jusufovic claimed his first Group 1 win when jockey Ben Allen guided Pinstriped past race favourite Mr Brightside to win the first top-level event of the spring.

All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni led and weakened to finish fifth, more than five lengths from the winner.

Her trainer Ciaron Maher said he was not surprised to see Pride Of Jenni beaten first-up, he expected a better performance after her promising trials.

“I expected her to go better and given her record at the trip at that level, I’m probably not surprised,” Maher said.

“I expected her to finish closer but am I surprised she got beat? No.

“I was extremely happy with the prep leading in.

“But she pulled up fine.”

Trainer Enver Jusufovic (left) and jockey Ben Allen enjoy the celebrations. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

While the emotional West was thrilled to beat the bigger stables in the Memsie Stakes, he was happier to see his great mate Jusufovic post his career-best win.

“We’re great mates. We go away on golf trips and everything like that but it means everything to Enver,” West said.

“I’m just rapt for him.

“Everything in our stable is cheap but he’s an amazing horse.

“We’re little owners. We’re five per cent owners and it’s great for us but it’s wonderful for EJ.”

The Memsie Stakes was the first of 21 Group 1 races to be decided over the 14 weeks of the Melbourne spring carnival.

Pinstriped could attempt another Group 1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington in a fortnight.

But Jusufovic said that decision could wait … until he got home from his local pub.

Originally published as Pinstriped boilover in Memsie Stakes boilover a triumph for the battlers