The Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday shaped up pre race as one of the better editions in recent years and it lived up to the hype with Snapdancer leading throughout, while a host of good runs were in behind with eyes on bigger prizes.
Read on for the 2022 Memsie Stakes Post Race Horse Ratings.
2022 Memsie Stakes Replay
2022 Memsie Stakes Post Race Horse Ratings
1: Snapdancer: Ripping front running ride from the most improved rider in Victoria, Ethan Brown. I know those involved hate it being brought up, but post the Mornington Airbnb saga, Zahra, Kah, Melham and Brown have all improved as riders. This mare has done a super job and she can win again at the highest level.
Rating: 8/10
2: I’m Thunderstruck: The word ‘Moral’ gets tossed around often, but this guy is just about a moral in the Makybe Diva. Outstanding return from him, winding up with purpose. He’s come back big time.
Rating: 9/10
3: Cascadian: Just got held up and lost momentum but loved the way he closed off. The trials leading in indicated he’s come back better than ever and this run suggests that is the case.
Rating: 8.5/10
4: Dragon Leap: I thought he was zero leading into the race but he made a mug of me and ran a super race for fourth. I think this run confirms him a spot in the Sir Rupert Clarke and off this effort, he’s in with a shout.
Rating: 7.5/10
5: Western Empire: They rode him to win, which was a positive sign, but fresh off such a long break, he needed the run. Loomed to win but just ran out of puff the final furlong, clocking the eighth best last 200m. I still think he’s right on track.
Rating: 8/10
6: Callsign Mav: Not suited when the sprint went on but I liked the way he stuck on. IMO, he’s not a top line WFA horse. If he was mine, I’d aim lower and look at races like the Epsom and Champions Mile.
Rating: 6.5/10
7: Alligator Blood: Unfortunately just got into a nasty spot and couldn’t really get a chance to build the revs. I still think he’s on track to run well in the Makybe Diva.
Rating: 6.5/10
8: Nonconformist: Lovely first up return off the layoff. Sit/sprint not his go but loved the way he closed off. He’s ticking along beautifully for the Spring.
Rating: 7.5/10
9: Lightsaber: Peter Moody said during the week that this wasn’t a Grand Final, which I found surprising given the races will only get harder now. He had a suck run behind the speed and just battled. The saving grace is the stable he is in, otherwise I’d bin him.
Rating: 4/10
10: Duais: The query was going to be whether the Queen Elizabeth would bust her. This run clearly suggests no t hasn’t. From a futures perspective, it was on par with I’m Thunderstruck. He’s the moral in y the Makybe Diva. I think she’s the moral in the Turnbull.
Rating: 9/10
11: Zeyrek: First up with 2000m+ races in mind, he was working to the line nicely before running out of puff. A pass mark given the circumstances.
Rating: 5/10
12: Tofane: The Stewards Report wasn’t out at the time of writing this. I hope the vet has found something to explain how bad she went here. Had the dream run but was gone on the turn. Either she got injured or retirement is on the cards.
Rating: 2/10
13: Elephant: Outclassed on paper and ran accordingly. I think they need to realise he’s not a WFA Group l horse. He’s a Group ll/lll horse at best.
Rating: 3/10
14: Illation: Jamie Kah said post race the horse didn’t feel himself, and that he wanted to lay in then lay out, which tells me the horse wasn’t 100%. Forgive, forget and give him another chance.
Rating: 3/10
