Magical message by Vega

CO-TRAINER Ben Hayes has declared Vega Magic is in better form going into Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes 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 was at $2.70 with Ladbrokes after the barrier draw for the 1400m race.

“He’s as good if not better than last year. He worked very well at Euroa on Monday morning and he gets down to Melbourne tomorrow.”

Hayes suggested this year’s Memsie Stakes was stronger than last year with Sydneysiders Kementari and Happy Clapper running and could prove more difficult to win.

He pointed out Vega Magic’s win in the Bletchingly Stakes was a better effort than when he won the Regal Roller Stakes the previous 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.

Hayes said the formline was strong from the Bletchingly Stakes because he defeated Voodoo Lad who won the Sir John Monash Stakes before that run and the Aurie’s Star Stakes, the run after.

Vega Magic will head straight to the $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13 for his next start after Saturday.

The James Cummingstrained Kementari also firmed into $4.40 since he was included in the final field.

Cummings said Kementari, who drew barrier eight in the 11-horse field, flew in his 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 was referring to Kementari’s last-start fourth behind Winx in the Winx Stakes where he was expected to make a race of it with the wonder mare but settled further back than expected.