Caulfield full racing preview & quaddie tips | Memsie Stakes 2024

Race 1: BM84 Handicap (1400m)

There is simply no knocking what Lovazou has put forward in three runs this campaign on rain-affected going and on a Good 4 last time out to show her versatility. She returns to the Caulfield 1400m, where she has proven too strong late at her last two starts, and drawn the pole will be given every opportunity to keep her purple patch going. Carleen Hefel will need a touch of luck in the home straight, and if it comes, Lovazou looks the goods.

• 4
  

  LOVAZOU

• 3
  

  SASSY BOOM

• 9
  

  VIVY AIR

• 8
  

  STREET DELIGHT

Race 2: BM78 Handicap (1400m)

If the rain does come, then the each-way price with horse racing bookmakers about El Rocko may tighten. The six-year-old gelding does his best work on rain-affected ground, winning five times from 23 attempts and placing on another six occasions. He draws to gain the gun run in transit under Damian Lane from barrier one, and if the gap appears at the right time, El Rocko possesses a strong finish and will look a winning chance inside the final furlong.

• 3
  

  EL ROCKO

• 1
  

  THE OPEN

• 12
  

  CRAIG

• 7
  

  HE’S BESET

Race 3: BM78 Handicap (1800m)

Mathew had excuses when well-beaten at Moonee Valley on August 10, and looks well-placed as he steps back to the 1800m. The six-year-old son of Tavistock raced keenly throughout, and post-race it was revealed he had a throat issue. Prior to that, he was a determined Sandown winner over classy duo Star Vega and Lincoln Rocks. If he produces a similar performance to that effort two runs back, then Mathew will prove too good for his rivals once again.

• 3
  

  MATHEW

• 12
  

  RISE TO IT

• 16
  

  FRETTA

• 6
  

  FLOSSING

Race 4: Open Quality (2000m)

Some classy stayers return here over 2000m, but third-up from a spell, import Alder shapes as the one to beat. The five-year-old gelding was the best of the beaten brigade behind Point King over 2040m at Moonee Valley last time out and is sure to only benefit approaching peak fitness. Jamie Kah will likely settle the son of Australia towards the rear of the field, and if he gets a genuinely run affair, Alder will be the one hitting the line strongly down the heart of the track.

• 11
  

  ALDER

• 12
  

  ARAMCO

• 1
  

  VOW AND DECLARE

• 3
  

  YOUNG WERTHER

Race 5: Group 3 Vale Black Caviar (1100m)

Registered as the Group 3 The Heath 1100 (1100m), the late Black Caviar will be honoured as a field of seven sprinters line up in the Vale Black Caviar. He may be no Black Caviar, but the way Arkansaw Kid resumed from a spell when winning the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m), the gelded son of Harry Angel looks over the odds in the first black-type event on Saturday. Luke Currie will likely have Arkansaw Kid stalking the likes of Recommendation and Acromantula, and when asked to quicken, expect Arkansaw Kid to sail on by with fresh legs.

• 4
  

  ARKANSAW KID

• 1
  

  KALLOS

• 3
  

  CHAIN OF LIGHTNING

• 2
  

  RECOMMENDATION

Race 6: Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m)

Growing Empire was a dominant Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) winner at Morphettville before being spelled, and at his first look at Caulfield in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), shapes as the one to beat. He arguably should be undefeated through three starts, having thrown away victory on debut. Mark Zahra will look to take up the running from barrier nine, and without much early pace in the race, should do so without burning too many carrots. If Growing Empire is anywhere near his best, he blows the McNeil Stakes field away.

• 1
  

  GROWING EMPIRE

• 3
  

  STAY FOCUSED

• 6
  

  WONDER BOY

• 2
  

  BAND OF BROTHERS

Race 7: Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m)

The mares take centre stage in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) where South Australian galloper Aviatress maps to get the best run in the race. This is obviously a massive step up in class after finishing second in a BM78 over 1000m at Morphettville, but the way she hit the line suggests that 1200m third-up will be ideal. If the Smart Missile mare can show the early barrier speed she produced early on in her career, she can be in a prominent spot throughout from barrier two. From there, with even luck, Aviatress can run a bold race at an each-way quote.

• 16
  

  AVIATRESS

• 13
  

  CASTE

• 3
  

  SKYBIRD

• 5
  

  COMRADE ROSA

Race 8: Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m)

Rise At Dawn has won three of his last five starts when giving nothing else a chance from out in front. The four-year-old gelding looks set to gain an uncontested lead when he steps up to 1700m for the first time in his career, and based on how he was hitting the line at 1600m, it should prove to be no issue. With just 54kg on his back, Mick Dee will look to make this a sprint home, and if that happens, the race sets up perfectly for Rise At Dawn.

• 13
  

  RISE AT DAWN

• 1
  

  MUNHAMEK

• 5
  

  JIMMY THE BEAR

• 10
  

  SHOWMANSHIP

Race 9: Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m)

The first Group 1 of the 2024/25 season in Victoria, the Memsie Stakes, shapes as a match-race between arch rivals Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside. Will it be another exhilarating chapter in one of racing’s biggest rivalries? Or is their an upset brewing in the Memsie Stakes?

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Memsie Stakes

Race 10: BM100 Handicap (1400m)

Another Wil is one of the horse’s to follow this spring, and despite drawing barrier 16 first-up from a spell, simply looks a class above his rivals on Saturday. Jamie Kah will roll forward on the son of Street Boss, and with speed drawn directly underneath him, he should gain a beautiful cart across the field. He does need to lug 60.5kg upon return, so we may get a bigger price closer to the start of the race. If Another Wil is anywhere near his best, his rivals will be chasing him from a long way out.

• 2
  

  ANOTHER WIL

• 1
  

  HERE TO SHOCK

• 11
  

  JENNILALA

• 7
  

  BANK MAUR