Big Memory right for first up tilt at Villiers Stakes

Big Memory has recovered from a hock injury that kept him out of the Caulfield Cup and is ready for a first up tilt at the Group 2 $250,000 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 17.

Big Memory, above with yellow cap,  is on target to run in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Big Memory, above with yellow cap, is on target to run in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Trainer Tony McEvoy has reported that Big Memory has finally returned to full fitness and he was happy with the seven year old’s Rosehill barrier trial yesterday when fourth to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fabrizio.

“He’s ready to go for the Villiers,” McEvoy told racing.com.

“I had to scratch him the day before the Caulfield Cup when he bruised his hock and it’s taken a long time to get it right but thankfully he’s back galloping really well and he trialled beautifully there this morning (Tuesday).”

Big Memory was running into some good Spring Carnival form and after failing to beat a runner home in a 1700m Handicap at Caulfield on September 24 ran a great race when a nose second to Assign in the Group 2 $400,000 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 8 a week before the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.

McEvoy had no choice but to scratch Big Memory, a $71 chance, on the eve of the Caulfield Cup after he developed severe inflammation to a hock.

Big Memory was in top form during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival and earned a start in the Caulfield Cup that year after winning the Herbert Power Stakes the week before.

The Duke Of Marmalade gelding wasn’t disgraced in the Caulfield Cup and made up some ground in the straight to be beaten less than three lengths when tenth to the Japanese stayer Admire Rakti.

Big Memory then went on to finish second to Signoff in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington before running third to Le Roi  Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington a week later.

Big Memory is the winner of four of his thirty-four race starts as well as filling the placings on fifteen other occasions but hasn’t been in the winner’s stall since his Herbert Power Stakes win in 2014.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.