Group 1 Gurus: Who to back in the Memsie Stakes & why?

By SENTrack & RSN

Oh boy, we are in for a treat at Caulfield Racecourse!

The Memsie Stakes marks the first Victorian Group 1 of the 2026/2027 racing season, and the field is absolutely stacked for this year’s edition.

The $750,000 race which is run across 1400m at Caulfield was won by Treasurethe Moment last year (2025), followed by Pinstriped (2024), Mr Brightside (2023), Snapdancer (2022) and Behemoth (2021).

The 2026 edition is headlined by a star-studded field of nine Group 1 winners, including Jimmysstar, Mr Brightside, Treasurethe Moment, Beiwacht, Autumn Boy, Tom Kitten, Birdman, Buckaroo and Cosmic Crusader.

Jimmysstar is currently the favourite with Sportsbet to take out the Group 1, but the market is wide open.

Check out our tips and predictions for the Memsie Stakes below!

Winner: Jimmysstar

Why: Take your pick! I would not be surprised if any of the Group 1 winners in the field win this race.

But I am leaning towards Jimmysstar though. The seven-year-old has been absolutely trialling the house down, and owner John O’Neill could not speak highly enough about how the gelding is going leading into his first-up run. Jimmysstar also has an excellent record at the distance, and stellar first-up & track record. In fact, at the track/trip, the son of Per Incanto has won three out of four starts.

Last year’s winner Treasurethe Moment always runs a good race, and her 2025 spring was largely derailed due to suffering colic. The mare can very well win again here or at least be in the finish.

The people’s champ, Mr Brightside, has finished inside the top 3 at this distance in 13 out of his 15 runs – something which needs to be respected. Though there are queries around his age and the fact it will be his first run since last year’s Champions Mile.

Autumn Boy should also run a mighty race, and Buckaroo could surprise with a placing at huge odds.

I was excited about Beiwacht’s prospects last week in the Winx, but after suffering a temperature, forcing a scratching from that race, I would rather wait and see how he performs here then blindly tipping him.

I don’t believe Cosmic Crusader can win, given the difficult barrier (11), but he is the in-form horse in the field.

Come on Jimmy!

Top 4: Jimmysstar, Treasurethe Moment, Mr Brightside, Cosmic Crusader

Connor Scanlon

Winner: Autumn Boy

Why: If Autumn Boy went around in the Winx Stakes last weekend, I suspect he would have been in the chasing pack alongside Sheza Alibi and Gringotts. This is somehow an understated gun who has run into some very strong competition and has claimed two Group 1's already (the Rosehill and Caulfield Guineas). Those were over 2000 and 1600m respectively, but 1400m poses no threat with a strong 1-1-1 record from four starts at the journey.

Not surprised with the shortening in price, especially after James McDonald chose the ride him over Angel Capital.

Speaking of, I am taknig on Angel Capital and Cosmic Crusader.

Angel Capital is yet to claim a Group 1 and I would be shocked if this class of field is when that changes. Cosmic Crusader's form looks extremely compelling, don't get me wrong, and maybe I am being overly critical, but I need to see more than a win over Winnasedge two starts ago and defeating a wad of first-up horses by half a length two weeks ago in the P.B. Lawrence to compare to the standard of my top four here.

Treasurethe Moment and Jimmysstar have the credits in the bank as well as the first-up records to sit comfortably in the upper echelons of this race, while Tom Kitten is a two-time All-Star Mile winner and is at a great price each-way.

Mr Brightside would be the fairytale story as the nine-year-old prepares to go around for another Spring Carnival, while Birdman could be a smoky coming off his Doomben Cup win last prep.

The Winx Stakes was a belter of a match-race, but this Memsie Stakes has me more excited with the breadth and depth of talent we are going to see kick off their campaigns.

Top 4: Autumn Boy, Treasurethe Moment, Jimmysstar, Tom Kitten

Ethan Clark

Winner: Cosmic Crusader

Why: Cosmic Crusader is the hot horse on the scene. He steps up in class again but has form and fitness on his side. Has won in Group 3 and Group 2 company with relative ease. Drawn a bit sticky but it’s hard to fault winning form.

Treasurethe Moment returned to her best form late last prep. Races well first-up, loves Caulfield and should sit handy enough.

Must respect Jimmysstar. The market certainly does after some good trials. if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground he’s a winning hope.

Sometimes the best form study is done by the jockeys. J-Mac’s decision to ride Autumn Boy over Angel Capital is certainly intriguing. In the mix.

Wouldn’t talk you out of Beiwacht and Mr Brightside either.

Nice race this.

Top 4: Cosmic Crusader, Treasurethe Moment, Jimmysstar, Autumn Boy

Andrew Slevison