The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) had been built as a match-race between Mr Brightside ($2.50) and Pride Of Jenni ($2.80) leading into Saturday; however, it was the Enver Jusufovic-trained Pinstriped ($14.00) storming over the top to claim the $750,000 feature at Caulfield.
It was the first Group 1 victory as a trainer for Jusufovic, with Ben Allen chalking up his second Group 1 win, chasing down the well-supported Mr Brightside in the concluding stages to cause a major boilover.
The son of Street Boss has been knocking on the door of a Group 1 victory in his 22-start career, returning with a withering burst in the Group 2 P.B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at this course and distance on August 17.
It was always going to be a tough ask, however, running into two superstars of the turf, but she got the perfect run in transit to get the job done, stalking Mr Brightside every step of the way.
The race panned out as most pundits expected, with Pride Of Jenni looking to make all under Declan Bates. The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) winner never appeared to be travelling well turning for home, however, getting swallowed up in the early part of the straight.
Gentleman Roy ($9.00) gave a strong kick with 400m left to travel, but it was stable companion Mr Brightside ready to pounce alongside the eventual winner, with Pinstriped narrowly getting the verdict in a ding-dong go.
2024 Group 1 Memsie Stakes Replay – Pinstriped
Emotions were high on course at Caufield as Enver Jusufovic spoke post-race about his stable flagbearer and what it means to be called a Group 1 winning trainer.
“Childhood dream,” said Jusufovic.
“Footscray boy, used to ride my bike to Flemington and sell Herald’s at Flemington. Started at (Greg) Eurell’s years ago, he said I was hopeless, didn’t have the work ethic, just patience, it’s great to be here with Addison and everyone who’s had faith in me.
“To all my staff, Kim, Linda, Alex, Joslyn, Georgia and Richford and old Tony, it’s just a great result, from a young boy selling Herald’s, here I am, a Group One winning trainer.
“It’s a true Group One when you’ve got Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, but of course they were first up, we were second up, he pulled up so well first up and he’s got a great second up record so you’re not going to die wondering, this horse has promised, he’s got issues but he’s just done so well this time in and it’s just fantastic.”
“I’ll just take every race as it comes and discuss it with Ben and we’ll see whether we go to a Makybe (Diva) or a Feehan but it’ll be off to the pub tonight I think.”
Ben Allen was elated with the win and suggested it was getting the back of Mr Brightside throughout that proved the winning move.
“It feels pretty good,” said Allen.
“It was pretty much how we scripted it, ideal, to hold the back of Brightside and just follow it everywhere.
“I was going pretty well so I just had to pop on the bend but this horse has been absolutely flying, he arguably should’ve won his last start, there’s a lot of doubters because he lays in quite badly and he still does a bit.
“Massive shout out to EJ (Enver Jusufovic) and the owners who have been loyal to me, EJ deserves it, he’s such a hard worker, big shout out to the owners and EJ for letting me stick with him.”
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