Memsie Stakes Preview: Cups interest in Memsie

The Memsie Stakes takes place at Caulfield on Saturday
This afternoon's running of the Grade 2 Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield will rekindle interest in the major spring staying races that lie ahead...
One of the early spring weight for age contests, the Memsie Stakes has been won by some of Australia's best gallopers, counting amongst it winners So You Think (2010), Weekend Hussler (2008), Makybe Diva (2005), Sunline (2000/01), Dane Ripper (1998), Naturalism (1992), Rubiton (1987) and Manikato (1982).
The Memsie Stakes has been used as the campaign starting point not only for winners of past Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but also as a Cox Plate lead up. In the last 20 years a combined 14 winners of the "big three" have used the Memsie as a launch pad for successful spring campaigns.
Viewed (2009) was the last Caulfield Cup winner to use the Memsie Stakes as part of his lead up campaign and So You Think won the Memsie Stakes/Cox Plate double in 2010, whilst popular stayer Efficient commenced his successful 2007 Melbourne Cup bid in that year's Memsie Stakes.
The Memsie Stakes sees several horses commencing their spring campaign, notably former Italian stayer Voila Ici now with Peter Moody, former USA galloper Sanagas now with the "Cups King" Bart Cummings as well as 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday. The 2012 Sydney Cup winner Niwot and the Lloyd Williams' staying pair of Green Moon and Midas Touch also compete.
All will come under close scrutiny by punters looking for early Cups selections but as far as Saturday's race goes it is hard to go past proven weight for age gallopers Rekindled Interest and Sincero. On Timeform ratings it is impossible to split the pair, both assessed at 124, however, on head to head analysis, Rekindled Interest has a three to zero advantage over Sincero which could just give him the edge.
A luckless third behind Pinker Pinker in last year's Gr 1 Cox Plate, Rekindled Interest carried that form to Sydney during the Autumn, stamping himself as a genuine performer at that level. After being run off his feet early in the Gr 1 William Reid Stakes behind Foxwedge and Hay List, he was most unlucky just going down in a tight finish behind Metal Bender in a quality renewal of the Gr 1 George Ryder Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill. Trained by Jim Conlan, Rekindled Interest was due to resume racing a couple of weeks back in the P B Lawrence Stakes but was held over to the Memsie because of the rain affected ground.
On Saturday he should get perfect track conditions and in a race where there does not seem to be too much early speed should never be far from the pace. Under that scenario, I am expecting Rekindled Interest to unleash his customary turn of foot in the closing stages which should see him prove too strong.
The main danger is the NSW-trained galloper and dual Gr 1 winner Sincero who will be no push over. Also Timeform rated 124, Sincero resumes from a spell and is heading for another Cox Plate entry, a race he finished ninth in last year. While the jury is out on his ability at 2000m and beyond, no such doubt exists at 1400m with the son of Umatilla winning four of his five runs at that distance including the Gr 1 Stradbroke handicap in 2011. It is also worth remembering his only other Gr 1 win was at 1500m in the 2011 George Main Stakes under weight for age conditions.
Sincero comes into the race looking very close to top form on the back of two barrier trials, the last at Rosehill in late August. The only slight unknown is his ability to handle Caulfield, a track at which he has raced just once previously when close up behind Descarado in the Gr 1 Caulfield Stakes over 2000m. With that experience, I can see no reason why he will not perform close to his best. Rekindled Interest will need to do all things right to hold him out as new rider Michael Rodd will get a cosy run from his low barrier.
Grand campaigner Heart Of Dreams, a proven Gr 1 performer, is on the comeback trail after injury. It is hard to leave him out of contention despite his high draw. Heart Of Dreams resumed in the Gr 2 P B Lawrence Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield 14 days ago with a steady closing fifth to Second Effort in very heavy ground. He was one of the few horses on the day to make ground from well back in the field and he will have taken considerable benefit from the run. Placed five of seven runs second up, Heart of Dreams is more than capable of getting into the frame, especially racing on his home track where he is a three time winner.
Crack West Australian galloper Luckygray, rated 119 by Timeform, also comes through the P B Lawrence Stakes and a better performance can be expected on a firmer track this afternoon. A prolific winner in his home state and winner of the Gr 1 Railway Stakes last December in controversial circumstances, Luckygray resumed off a 56 day break to tackle the Lawrence, only to find the heavy conditions too testing finishing a close up fourth. No doubt he will improve off that effort and should settle better as he raced uncharacteristically forward on that occasion. Luckygray is another who may not find the tight Caulfield track to his full liking but his overall race record of 10 wins from 14 starts speaks for itself. He stays under consideration.
Last start Adelaide winner Happy Trails (111) and British import Green Moon (119) are certain to have admirers. Happy Trails, a last start winner of the Gr 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville, will appreciate the 1400m of Saturday's race but will need to improve again in this line up under weight for age conditions.
Newcastle Cup winner Green Moon surprised in the Autumn with an impressive fresh up display in the Gr 2 Blamey Stakes over 1600m at Flemington and if in the same form this afternoon would have to be respected. The former UK galloper has improved steadily since coming to Australia and showed versatility winning the Newcastle Cup over 2300m and placing second in the Caulfield Cup behind Southern Speed before winning the Blamey off a break. Craig Williams retains the ride and despite Green Moon's staying prowess he is more than capable of mixing it with this field while on the fresh side.
Lawrence Stakes winner Second Effort was impressive enough in that race but will not have the same track conditions here, something that will count against him as eight of his nine career victories have all been on wet racing surfaces.
Enjoy a competitive Memsie Stakes.
Recommendation - Back Rekindled Interest @ $7.00n/a
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