The 2018 Group 1 $1m New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today is free of scratchings with Vega Magic remaining the firm favourite.
Vega Magic, above, remains the firm favourite for the 2018 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Caulfield track has been rated a Good 4 for the Memsie Stakes race day with the rail out 6m for the entire course.
The Lindsay Park trained Vega Magic has firmed up slightly overnight in the betting for the Memsie Stakes and on race morning was quoted at $2.35 with Ladbrokes.com.au.
The second favourite Kementari has drifted slightly to be $5, Happy Clapper has remained steady at $5.50 while the Mick Price trainer Grunt is now into double figures at $10 out from $9.
Vega Magic is lining up for back to back wins in the Memsie Stakes and the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have removed the blinkers from the big chestnut after he carried them to victory in his all the way three lengths win in the Group 3 $150,000 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 28,
Vega Magic will have the winkers back on and will jump from barrier six in the eleven horse Memsie Stakes field with Bletchingly Stakes winning jockey Damien Oliver in the saddle again.
“Vega Magic’s win in the Bletchingly Stakes was very impressive and it’s been backed up by Voodoo Lad, who ran second to him then and has since come out and won the Aurie’s Star,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racing.com.
“We’ve taken the blinkers off and winkers go back on so he should settle a bit better for Ollie (Damien Oliver) this time and kick very strongly in the straight.
“We know he has a high cruising speed and I was thrilled with barrier six, he needs galloping room so Damien Oliver will just be able to sit where he’s comfortable.
“If there are horses that want to go a hundred miles an hour we’ll be able to take a sit.
“I think he can win the race again.”
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