Doc needs right script for hot Memsie
HEY Doc will have to “take it to a new level’’ to win a blockbuster Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, according to trainer Tony McEvoy.
“It’s going to be a hell of a contest. They’ve thrown a million bucks at it and they’re all coming for it,’’ McEvoy said.
A few key factors are yet to play out.
Black Heart Bart, one of four $7 second favourites behind Vega Magic ($4.60) in TAB’s market, pulled up sore after his third in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes on August 19.
It is not yet certain if he will run and stablemate Brave Smash, the ex-Japanese horse who stormed into second behind Vega Magic at Caulfield on the same day, is at risk of being balloted out.
The Memsie field, limited to 16, is determined by prizemoney earned in the past year and Brave Smash has raced only four times and earned about $170,000.
McEvoy was pleased with Hey Doc’s work between races at Moonee Valley on Saturday, saying the four-year-old was in peak form for the 1400m Memsie.
“But he’ll have to be. We are going to need everything to go right,’’ he said. “We’re going to need to be drawn inside gate five and get a gun run.
“The one positive I take from the Lawrence Stakes was that Charmed Harmony ran second (to Hartnell). Quite a few of the Lawrence horses will be in the Memsie and I’d be happy to take on Charmed Harmony any day.’’
Hey Doc shares the $7 line with Black Heart Bart, Yankee Rose and Le Romain. Hartnell is not running.
McEvoy said Vega Magic was the horse to beat, and Vega Magic’s trainer David Hayes, who will also run $31 chance Seaburge, agreed.
“He had 61kg and was five wide all the way,’’ Hayes said.
“He’s beginning to emerge as a serious Group 1 horse. I’m confident he’s going to be the horse to beat.’’