Betting Selections for Australia Horse Racing on August 29, 2026

Australian Group One racing switches to Melbourne for its first top-ranked contest of spring, the Memsie S. It’s not as hot as last week’s Winx S. in Sydney – there’s no Autumn Glow or Sheza Alibi – but the 12 runners paid up for the seven furlong contest includes nine Group 1 winners and between them they have earned $37.75 million – that’s an average of more than $3.1 million, so it’s full of quality.

Caulfield, Race 8, 2:10 a.m. Saturday ET

Memsie Stakes (G1), 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs), three-year-olds and up

• $10 win/$30 show: #7 Cosmic Crusader ($40)
• $1 trifecta: 7,10 with 7,10,12 with 1,2,3,7,9,10,12 ($20)

Last week’s Winx S. preview suggested the best bet outside the top two might be #10 Beiwacht (3-1). As it turned out, trainer Chris Waller didn’t line him up, instead saving him for this contest, and it probably gives him a winning chance.

As mentioned last week, Beiwacht has become something of a seven-furlong specialist. Both his Group 1 wins, the Golden Rose and the All-Aged, have been at this trip. The two biggest questions about him are whether he’s ready – he hasn’t won first-up in his career – and how he handles clockwise racing at Caulfield.

Beiwacht has raced in Melbourne twice before, but both were on Flemington’s straight sprint track at less-than-ideal trips of six furlongs or less. How he handles left-hand turns could decide whether he wins.

Another horse whose best trip is arguably seven furlongs is #2 Jimmysstar (4-1). He’s won major races at shorter trips and was fourth in last year’s Everest (G1), but seven furlongs gives the late-running Jimmysstar a better chance to run down his opponents. His biggest concern is that he was a little below his best last autumn, failing to win in five starts, and racegoers would like to see a sign that he’s back to his best. If he is, he'll have a strong winning chance.

Like Jimmysstar, #12 Treasurethe Moment (8-1) disappointed a little by not winning last autumn. It’s possible she’s not as good as she once was, but she won this easily last year, and the early odds about her are arguably generous. She hasn’t been asked much in her jumpouts, so it’s hard to know if she’s ready to win here.

West Australian #7 Cosmic Crusader (7-2) is unproven against this caliber of horse. But he has the advantage of seasoning over his opponents, and did beat genuine quality horses in Private Eye and Evaporate in the PB Lawrence (G2) two weeks ago. A wide barrier won’t help, but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t play some part in the finish.

One horse very unlikely to remain at his morning-line odds is #9 Autumn Boy (29-1). Last year’s Caulfield Guineas (G1) winner was second twice last autumn behind Sheza Alibi over a mile, and he should be ready for a nice first-up effort at seven furlongs. Don’t leave him out of exotics, for which you should also include the evergreen #1 Mr Brightside (16-1), second in this last year, and All-Star Mile winner #3 Tom Kitten (15-2).

It’s not an easy race to work out. With a few doubts about the readiness of many of the runners, I’m going with Cosmic Crusader, but there are plenty of potential winners here, and you’ll probably do well if you strike exotics.

Bonus Play: New Zealand

Wanganui, Race 5, 10:42 p.m. Friday ET: Wanganui Guineas (Listed), 1,200m (about 6 furlongs), 3-year-olds

• $10 win/$30 place, #5 So Fear (13-2)
  • Dual winner and stakes-placed as a juvenile. Should go well provided she handles the likely wet ground.