The first Group 1 of the 2023/24 racing season in Melbourne is the Memsie Stakes (1400m) this Saturday at Caulfield and the race shapes up to be a beauty.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Memsie Stakes.

Market : View the Odds for the Memsie Stakes

2023 Memsie Stakes Speed Map

Annavisto looks ready to rock and roll, so think she’ll lead comfortably from the good draw. Osipenko and Princess Grace are drawn well and should be able to hold a forward spot while drawn wide, Alligator Blood will slide across. Does that give the cart across to Mr Brightside or do they drag back for cover.

2023 Memsie Stakes Runner Preview:

1. Mr Brightside: Mr Brightside…gee he is a ripping animal. Team Hayes trained gelding that was backed with confidence when resuming two weeks ago in the PB Lawrence and under a peach from Williams, he was miles too good and gave the course record a nudge in winning. Staying at 1400m is the slight worry, but it’s hard to knock him.

2. I Wish I Win: Not denying he is top class. I just don’t like him here. His main target is six weeks away so in my mind, he’s not screwed down to win this. Yes, he might still be too good for them, but given he has a 1200m GF six weeks away, I can’t entertain him as a bet.

3. Alligator Blood: I’ve been hot on Alligator Blood for this race for several weeks and won’t be dropping off. He resumes for GaiBott and there has been clear intent for a while to resume in this race. He has been given a grounding for his return in Sydney with two trials, winning them both and each time he has looked outstanding. He’ll land near the bunny, on the bunny hopefully, and prove hard to run down.

4. Nonconformist: This guy can pull out a run fresh but you’d think he has eyes on races over longer and deeper into the Spring. That said, I did like his trial at Cranbourne when closing off nicely under minimal pressure. Think he’ll run better than his SP.

5. Aegon: Kiwi raider for Andrew Forsman who did more than enough in the PB Lawrence, working home strongly from last to finish fifth to Mr Brightside. Has the potential to settle much closer in the run and while I doubt he wins, he can run top four.

6. The Inevitable: Ripping horse from Tassie that last raced in the All Star mile when given an unbelievable steer from Pires to run third to Mr Brightside. That said, I highly doubt he will measure up against this lot.

7. Western Empire: Send him back to WA or retire him. He’s gone.

8. Bandersnatch: First four hope at a big price. He copped serious heat on speed fresh in the Regal Roller and was entitled to spit the dummy out, run last, but he kept on and only got the staggers very late. Like him up to 1400m, should get a better run in transit…for wider exotics, he can be entertained.

9. Duke De Sessa: Most fascinating runner on the program. He has the potential to measure up but whether he’s ready for this, not sure. But, his Doncaster run was full of merit and his jumpout work indicates he’s ready to run well, so watch the market.

10. Osipenko: Dangerous. Just looked like it was a barrier trial in the Winx Stakes when ridden cold but really liked the way he found the line late in the piece behind Fangirl. If the inside gate is used to advantage, he’ll get a suck run and be hard to hold out.

11. Bank Maur: Fascinating runner is this four year old. Last run came in the Australian Cup when pulling up lame in a total forgive behind Cascadian. He’s had a couple of trials to get ready for the return and the stable have said openly he’s wound up to go. Potentially, dangerous at a big price.

12. Amenable: Amenable is a good horse for Price/Kent. There was a bit of quality about his win two weeks ago at this track/distance where he did work from the wide gate and had to make a sustained run. Being first up, he was entitled to knock up but he kept finding under pressure and was lifted late by Lane to score. Natural improvement, he is in with a shout.

13. Princess Grace: When looking at this race off nominations, I thought this girl needed to draw soft to be any chance and voila, she comes up with gate three and the leading rider. Great return in the Winx Stakes and just missed out on the win. Gets another great chance for a Group l triumph.

14. Annavisto: This looks a kitchen sink job to get a Group l. Two jumpouts and a trial to get ready, she’s wound up. Looks the likely leader and will give a big sight…just don’t think she has the quality to finish it off.

15. Steinem: Steinem is better suited over further but she has a bit of quality about her when right. She resumes for Maher/Eustace, having not raced since the Australian Cup when down the track and never a factor behind Cascadian. She is a mare who can sprint well on the fresh side and did trial up nicely at Cranbourne…doubt she wins, but can pinch a first four spot.

2023 Memsie Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:

$20 Win/$80 Place on Alligator Blood. Think he will only run well.

Group l Strategy Outlay: $100
Group l Strategy Return: $350

2023 Memsie Stakes Odds:

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