For race spoilers, the emotional and long overdue big win of Pin stripe (Street boss ) in the Memsie Stakes (G1) on August 31 at Caulfield will live long in the memory.
Melbourne’s traditional first premier spring race, run over 1,400 metres (about 7 furlongs), is hyped as a two-horse battle between seasoned Group 1 points scorers. Jenni’s Pride (Pride of Dubai ) And Mr. Brightside (Cross bar ).
The two seven-year-olds met five times last season, with Pride Of Jenni winning three and Mr Brightside winning once. This first rematch was played with the same promotion as a boxing match.
But in the end, they finished second and fifth in their two-horse race, as Pinstriped—who raced hard on the outside to win an emotional battle with Mr Brightside—won by half a length. Mr Brightside’s stablemates were Team Hayes. Mr. Roy (You think so) third place for the second time in a row.
🔸 G1 winner bred and born in Victoria 🔹
Pinstriped (former Snitzel Blitz) has the power to finish below @bennallen44 to score G1 Memsie S. for @jusufovicracing In @MelbRacingClub Caulfield 🏆
Raised by @NoorilimParkhe is there @DarleyAus‘The father of this breed is from Victoria, Street Boss. Congratulations… photo.twitter.com/i2vjB4MkIE
— TBV (@vicbreeders) August 31, 2024
Pinstriped provided a rare day of headlines for renowned Cranbourne trainer Enver Jusufovic, who has around 40 horses on his books and is known for his love of AFL club St Kilda, a club that is also very competitive, and has never won a Group 1 in 26 years of playing the game.
It was no surprise that Jusufovic became emotional as Pinstriped—whose St Kilda stable colours are red, white and black—returned with young rider Ben Allen, himself celebrating just his second grade win.
The six-year-old gelding was purchased by Jusufovic with Gary Mudgway Bloodstock for just $80,000 from the Noorilim Park selection at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. He has now earned $1.69 million from his relationship.
Pinstriped was the second and best foal of five – three of whom have raced – to his dam Snitzel Blitz, a winner at Ballarat from seven starts.
He finally turned his initial great promise into reality—winning his first three starts and winning Group 2 and Group 3—plus five unsuccessful Group 1 attempts, into a top-flight success.
“It was a real relief,” Jusufovic told Racing.com, recalling his first foray into the industry as a horse racing newsboy on the tough streets of Melbourne’s west.
“Footscray boy, sells Heralds in Flemington—it’s me. We’ll go to the pub tonight, I think.”
In windy conditions, Memsie was a story of contrasting preparations, with two big riders continuing and Pinstriped finishing second, having finished a close second on the same track in the Lawrence Stakes (G2) two weeks earlier.
While Pride Of Jenni maintained its usual lead, Allen moved Pinstriped up to fifth place, one place clear and close behind Mr Brightside.
Pride Of Jenni’s race ended uncharacteristically abruptly at the start of the straight as Mr. Brightside took the lead with 200 metres to go, but he ultimately lacked the ammunition to counter the rival to his right.
Jusufovic said another top event – the 1,600-metre Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) on September 14 – is now in Pinstriped’s sights, while the six-year-old could also attempt to repeat his previous best win in the Feehan Stakes (G2) at the same distance on September 27.
