Vega Magic primed to fly in Group 1 Memsie Stakes
BEN Hayes declared Vega Magic is in better form going into this Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield than when he won the race last year.
“We’re very happy with the barrier (six) and also the good track — The horse is flying,” Hayes said.
Vega Magic opened at $2.90 with TAB fixed odds but firmed to $2.70 after the barrier draw before easing to $2.80.
“He’s as good, if not better than last year,” Hayes said. “He worked very well at Euroa on Monday morning and he gets down to Melbourne tomorrow.”
He suggested this Memsie was stronger than last year’s with Sydneysiders Kementari and Happy Clapper in the field. But he said Vega Magic’s Bletchingly Stakes win was a better effort than his Regal Roller Stakes victory last year.
Last year Vega Magic led throughout to win by 1¾ lengths but with the inclusion of Jungle Edge in this year’s field, he should be able to sit in second placing.
Hayes said the form line was strong from the Bletchingly Stakes when he defeated Voodoo Lad, who won the Sir John Monash Stakes before that run and the Aurie’s Star Stakes after the Bletchingly.
Vega Magic will head straight to The Everest after Saturday.
The James Cummings-trained Kementari also firmed from $5.50 to $4.40 when his entry was confirmed. Cummings said Kementari, who drew barrier eight in the 11-horse field, flew in a track gallop on Tuesday morning.
“Coming into this race he’s been really bright, he’s come out of his last run in sensational order,” Cummings said.
That last run was a fourth to Winx in the Winx Stakes, in which he was expected to challenge the mare but settled too far back.
Kementari has had two starts at Caulfield for a third and a second in the Caulfield Guineas.
“I like the fact he’s had experience there, he’s trained very well and he’s gone forward at both runs there,” he said.
Best backed to win the Memsie Stakes
1. Vega Magic ($2.70)
2. Kementari ($4.40)
3. Happy Clapper ($5.50)
4. Kings Will Dream ($10)
5. Grunt ($9.50)
