The Memsie Stakes final field and barrier draw has been released, and it presents punters with a cracking field for the 1400m Group 1 contest at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Memsie Stakes barrier draw sees the likes of Treasurethe Moment and Angel Capital get a good run, and that could dictate how the race is run.
Memsie Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw
| 1. Mr Brightside (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 2125xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign fifth of 9 at Flemington in the G1 Champ Mile November 8 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 10 len behind Ceolwulf carrying 59kg at $2.90. When resuming last campaign second of 9 at this track in the G1 Memsie August 30 over 1400m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 59kg at $7. Champion gelding but off the long break and some query on how he’s going. | |||
| 2. Jimmysstar (8) J: Ethan Brown 59kg 5342xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 16 at Eagle Farm in the G1 K-Smith Cup May 30 over 1300m, soft track; a nose behind Headley Grange with 59kg at $3.80. When resuming last campaign seventh of 11 at this track in the G1 William Reid March 21 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Jigsaw carrying 58.5kg at $2.15. Love him at this trip, his best just about wins. | |||
| 3. Tom Kitten (1) J: Mark Zahra 59kg x117xT: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 12 at Flemington in the G1 Aust Cup March 28 over 2000m, soft track; 5 len behind Light Infantry Man carrying 59kg at $6. Previous preparation first-up won by head this track G3 Heffernan February 7 over 1400m defeating Feroce with 59kg at $3. Big win fresh last campaign, might be a bit underrated here. | |||
| 4. Buckaroo (10) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 0x25xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation fifth of 7 at this track in the G2 Peter Young Stk March 14 over 1800m, 6 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $2.25. Previously first up; second of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Pericles carrying 59kg at $31. Will run on well but can’t see him winning. | |||
| 5. Angel Capital (5) J: Ben Melham 59kg 326×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 in the G2 Missile Stakes at Randwick on August 8 over 1200m, 2 len behind Ninja carrying 57.5kg at $2.20. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 7 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Caballus carrying 56kg at $12. Much better suited this trip, frustrating but he’s good enough. | |||
| 6. Birdman (4) J: Beau Mertens 59kg 1521xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign won by 2.75 len Doomben G1 Doomben Cup May 23 over 2000m defeating Pride Of Jenni carrying 59kg at $3.30. First up last campaign fourth of 8 at Flemington in the LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m, 0.9 len behind Cafe Millenium carrying 60kg at $13. Had a great last campaign but this is probably too sharp. | |||
| 7. Cosmic Crusader (11) J: William Pike 59kg 12×11T: Andrea Leek | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up favourite; won by 2.5 len in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes at this track on July 25 over 1200m in soft going defeating Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $3.60. Second run from a spell favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Private Eye carrying 59kg at $2.50. Very good winner last time, will take plenty of holding out again. | |||
| 8. Sabaj (12) J: Jamie Melham 59kg x244xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation fourth of 12 at Flemington in the G1 Aust Cup March 28 over 2000m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Light Infantry Man with 59kg at $13. First up last campaign second of 8 at Flemington in the LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Cafe Millenium with 57kg at $3.10. Can’t see him figuring from the gate. | |||
| 9. Autumn Boy (3) J: James McDonald 58.5kg 3212xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign second of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 52kg at $10. When resuming last campaign third of 7 at Rosehill in the G2 Hobartvlle February 21 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Ninja carrying 56.5kg at $2.90. Talented but fancy he finds a few too sharp. | |||
| 10. Beiwacht (7) J: Nash Rawiller 58.5kg 8261xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Is first-up after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign by 0.9 len Randwick G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m defeating Lazzura with 56.5kg at $6.50. First up last campaign ran last of 8 at Flemington in the G1 Lightning February 14 over 1000m, 6 len behind Tentyris carrying 55.5kg at $9. Classy horse who will give a huge sight. | |||
| 11. Planet Red (2) J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg x226xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation sixth of 12 at this track in the G2 Alister Clark March 21 over 2000m, 5 len behind Roulette King carrying 57kg at $1.75. When resuming last campaign second of 12 at this track in the G2 Autumn Stks February 7 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Observer with 57kg at $4.40. Has ability but this will test. | |||
| 12. Treasurethe Moment (6) J: Damian Lane 57kg x313xT: Matt Laurie | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation third of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Queen Turf April 11 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Idle Flyer carrying 57kg at $3.80. When resuming last campaign third of 8 at this track in the G1 Futurity Stakes February 21 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Pericles with 57kg at $1.90. Dominant in this last year and maps well. | |||
Memsie Stakes Barrier Draw Winners & Losers
The Memsie Stakes barrier draw is important for a race of this nature. The 1400m starting point at Caulfield can be tricky, and it’s important for horses to find their spot in the run without being caught wide.
Horses in danger of being caught wide are Cosmic Crusader and Sabaj, who will need a lot to go their way to win. They’re capable of sitting off the speed and coming with a big late run, but there are sprinters in this field who possess a better turn-of-foot, namely Jimmysstar and Angel Capital.
Being three-wide at Caulfield is a recipe for disaster, so Cosmic Crusader in particular has been dealt a blow with the Memsie Stakes barrier draw.
However, the luck fell for Treasurethe Moment and Angel Capital. They draw beside each other in barriers 6 and 5, respectively, and that’s ideal for them. Treasurethe Moment will roll forward, which should allow Angel Capital to have early room on his outside, which is when he runs his best.
Autumn Boy (3) and Birdman (4) are expected to need the run to show their best. However, they’ll get a soft run in transit over 1400m, so their chances can’t be dismissed. Chris Waller opted to run Autumn Boy in the Memsie Stakes instead of the Winx Stakes, and it could be the right call.
What to Expect in the 2026 Memsie Stakes
Tactics will be interesting in the 2026 Memsie Stakes. It should be a compact field over 1400m, and the pace of the race will likely determine the winner.
It’s also expected to be a wet track, so the track bias earlier in the card could see Memsie Stakes betting markets fluctuate. However, regardless of the conditions, the cream usually rises to the top.
We expect to see runners like Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside right in the thick of the action. They rarely let punters down, and their ROI is good, so they’re always worth including in picks.
However, there are some stellar thoroughbreds in the Memsie Stakes final field, so an upset is possible. We wouldn’t rule out any runner in this race, which could be an instant classic in Melbourne.