3 minute read

Group 1 racing is back in Melbourne with a bumper ten race card for Memsie day.

The best horse in the country is back on Saturday with Pride Of Jenni rated 129 off her electric Queen Elizabeth win, but we're going to brush the Memsie for the Melbourne Mail's sake.

I've covered that race in depth here, but don't see a huge edge in the market at around $2.50 Pride Of Jenni vs $2.70 Mr Brightside.

Where that sort of price does look attractive, and hence is our best bet, is the Group 3 Mcneil Stakes (1200m) where I'm very keen to see the return of Growing Empire.

Edged out on debut, he quickly atoned with a soft victory at Moonee Valley over Bittercreek, who then went to Brisbane and won the BRC Sires next start. Growing Empire ran to 105 with Timeform there in good time, which is already five pounds better than the Vain Stakes winner Band Of Brothers ran to last time out.

Then Growing Empire goes to Adelaide and absolutely bolts in with the Group 3 Breeders Stakes (1200m), running to 111 in very good time. He was less than a second slower than a very well run Sangster won by Climbing Star which is good going for a two-year-old.

By Timeform's measure, Stay Focused just edges him in the ratings at 112 off his Blue Diamond fifth but Growing Empire has a real profile about him and I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up the better horse.

He does have to conceded Stay Focused weight which is why I think we're getting a backable price, and Stay Focused has been scratched a couple of times this campaign. Keen on Growing Empire who I think will measure right up in the Coolmore.

For the each-way play it's a rinse and repeat job from last week where the noted leader Jennilala was scratched, only for 20-1 shot Rolls to lead easily and walk in. Not ideal.

Jennilala comes here to a deep benchmark 100 and against a classy horse in Another Wil, who started favourite in a Doncaster before a spell.

He's rated to a peak of 114 with Timeform and is almost definitely a bit better than that, but he'll have to be something near his best with 60.5kg and drawn the carpark from a tricky start.

Jennilala ran a strong 109 rating first up last time in and while she's also drawn slightly wide, there isn't much speed inside her and I think she's marked urgent to find the front fairly easily, where she should take plenty of running down.

The Melbourne Mail

Bet of the day: Race 6 No. 1 - Growing Empire at $2.80

Each-way play: Race 10 No. 11 Jennilala at $7/2.5