Can Magic Prevail Over Bart
This year's Gr.1 Memsie Stakes has attracted top gallopers, with many already successful at Group One level.
Black Heart Bart clashes with Everest contender Vega Magic to the test again.
The multiple Gr.1 winner Black Heart Bart lines up against Darren Weir trained stable mates Humidor and Kings Will Dream in the first Gr.1 race of the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Other Group One winners in the field include Happy Clapper, Kementari and Grunt.
Here is a round-up analysis of this august field:
Happy ClapperSydney conditioner Pat Webster trained Happy Clapper is heading to Caulfield for the first time. The eight year old was sent for a spell after a a great Autumn Carnival campaign. He won both the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes and the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile. His first outing at Sydney could prove tricky.
Black Heart BartThe winner Black Heart Bart and one of the bigger stars from trainer Darren Weir’s three runners. He is also the winner of the the 2016 Memsie Stakes and was runner up to Vega Magic last year. His last victory however was in the 2017 Gr.1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
Could this be his comeback run?
Vega MagicThe Lindsay Park trained Vega Magic hopes to repeat his Group One level win with the first Gr.1 race of the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Vega Magic scored a brilliant first up win with the blinkers on in the Gr.3 Bletchingly Stakes and he will be hard to beat again.
HumidorHumidor ran second to Winx in the 20187 Cox Plate but may not be seen in his top form in this season beginner.
Jungle EdgeIf its wet, we will be successful. And the powers that be in the weather office have forecasted rain on Friday. It will be a tough field for him and his only hope is sloppy ground.
Dollar For DollarThe Tony McEvoy trained may be out classed despite his Gr.3 Spring Stakes win at Morphettville.
Kings Will DreamGr.1 Caufield Cup hopeful, Kings Will Dream should be in great form as he steps up in distance in prep for his target race.
KementariGodolphin sprinter Kementari was touted as a challenger to Winx in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes. But he landed a sad fourth. May be all glamour and no show.
GruntGrunt cleaned up well, with his Gr.1 Australian Guineas win.
ShowtimeHe is not Chautauqua but its Showtime. Team Hawkes scored a win in the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes over the same C&D as the Memsie. He can do it again, given the form he's in.
Oregon’s DayMare Oregon’s Day looks to be in good form. She recently won the Gr.2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes during the 2018 Queensland Winter Carnival at Gold Coast.
Full finishing list with Trainer & Jockey 2017:
1st: Vega Magic (David & B Hayes & T Dabernig, Craig Williams), 2nd: Black Heart Bart (Darren Weir, Brad Rawiller), 3rd: Tosen Stardom (JDarren Weir, Blake Shinn), 4th : Hey Doc (Tony Mcevoy, Luke Currie)
Full Runner list with Trainer & Jockey 2018:
1. Happy Clapper (T: Patrick Webster, J: Mark Zahra ), 2. Black Heart Bart (T: Darren Weir, J: Brad Rawiller), 3. Vega Magic (T: David and B Hayes and T Dabernig, J: Damien Oliver ), 4. Humidor (T: Darren Weir, J: Damian Lane), 5. Jungle Edge (T: Mick Bell, J: Kevin Forrester ), 6. Dollar for Dollar (T: Tony McEvoy, J: Jamie Kah), 7. Kings Will Dream (T: Darren Weir, J: John Allen), 8. Kementari (T: James Cummings, J: Glyn Schofield), 9. Grunt (T: Mick Price, J: Luke Currie ), 10. Showtime (T: Michael Wayne and John Hawkes, J: Dwayne Dunn), 11. Oregon's Day (T: Mick Price, J: Michael Dee )
Race Info:
Distance: 1,400 metres, Surface: Turf, Qualification: Three-year-old and older that are not maidens, Weight: Weight for age, Purse: $1,000,000 (2017)
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com