Stars on Show at Caulfield Spring Opener

Media Release - Friday August 29

The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.

A superstar 3YO filly last season, Treasurethe Moment will be looking to make the quantum leap at four to WFA star - image Grant Courtney

“There’s nothing quite like opening day at Caulfield,” said MRC Chairman, John Kanga. “The Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener not only delivers elite racing, but a vibrant trackside experience that celebrates everything we love about spring. From headline Group 1 action to the return of rising stars and off-track entertainment, it’s the perfect start to what is sure to be a phenomenal carnival.”

The Stow Storage Memsie Stakes promises a thrilling contest with a star-studded field, including last year’s victor Pinstriped, crowd favourites Antino, Treasurethe Moment, Fangirl, Tom Kitten, Mr Brightside, Buckaroo, and Another Wil. As the race that sets the tone for the spring, it offers a powerful preview of what is to come in the months ahead.

Adding to the excitement, the Group 3 McNeil Stakes showcases some of the most promising three-year-olds in the country. In a hotly anticipated contest, there are four hopefuls looking to maintain their unbeaten record - Vinrock (Matt Laurie, 3-0), Highvol (Nick Ryan, 2-0), McGaw (Emmalee & David Browne, 2-0), and Best of the Best (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr, 1-0).

Vinrock will be looking to keep his unbeaten record intact - image Grant Courtney

In the Group 3 Henley Homes Heath 1100, explosive sprinter She’s Bulletproof faces a competitive field, including Australian Guineas winner Feroce (Dom Sutton) and See You In Heaven.

Advertisement

Rounding out the Group racing action is the Group 3 Evergreen Turf Cockram Stakes, where rising star Pop Award seeks a remarkable sixth consecutive victory. Jockey Matthew Cartwright will once again ride for his mother Leonie Proctor and grandmother Lyn Tolson in what could be one of the day’s most compelling stories. Group 1 winner Magic Time, trained by the in-form Grahame Begg, adds class and intrigue to an already exceptional field.

Off the track, Caulfield will come alive with an array of food and entertainment options, including a fan-favourite food trucks and the ever-popular Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Bar. For fashion lovers, the Promenade Flat will host a dazzling millinery showcase, featuring head-turning designs from Zia Piazza Headwear, Felicity Northeast, Rachel Henry, and more.

A true celebration of spring racing, Stow Storage Caufield Spring Opener presents the perfect way to launch into the highly anticipated 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.

MRC Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
2025 Victoria Derby Pedigree Preview - Who is Bred to Stay?
The Group I VRC Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday is worth a whopping $2 million and the testing trip of 2500m means a lot of horses are not going to see it out strongly and this looks a competitive year with no G1 winners engaged and a full field of up and comers set to do battle, so let’s see what the pedigrees have to say.
Breeding To Win - 2025 $10m Golden Eagle
Racing fans and punters love a good debate, but if there's one thing they tend to unite on, it's the view that the retirement of talented young horses from the racetrack to the stud happens far too early for their liking!
One To Watch – Wyong
With her half-brother Private Eye set to line up in Saturday's $3m ATC Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, 3yo Shalaa (IRE) filly Confidentiality broke her maiden on Thursday at Wyong at just her second start for trainer Joe Pride.
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 30
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
600k Fantasy World Heads Third Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
FANTASY WORLD was one of three lots to realise 500,000 guineas or more on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale which saw significant increases to the median, average and turnover from the equivalent session in 2024.
High Hopes for Pencarrow Stud Homebred Farnan Filly
Passiflora will provide her connections with a sound guide at Tauranga as to where she sits in the three-year-old pecking order.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 28
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.