Beiwacht outclasses field in Memsie Stakes victory

Chris Waller has made a flying start to the racing season, adding another Group 1 triumph to his impressive record.

Having amassed a record 22 top-level wins in the 2025-26 season, Australia's leading trainer has now secured the first two Group 1 contests of the new racing season.

Following Autumn Glow's win in the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick last week, Beiwacht put his rivals to the sword in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

With Nash Rawiller in the saddle, Beiwacht ($6) recorded a decisive three-length victory over Mr Brightside ($21), while the $3.30 public choice Cosmic Crusader finished a short-neck further back in third.

Beiwacht was one of five colts trained by Waller for Saturday's event, and the trainer expressed his delight at the four-year-old's performance upon resuming from a spell.

The colt had been withdrawn from the Winx Stakes the previous week due to a mild fever, but by Monday morning, the four-year-old's spring campaign was back on track.

"We didn't panic," Waller confirmed.

"It was sufficient reason to keep him at the stable, and astonishingly, his blood results on Monday were perfect.

"He worked at Rosehill on Tuesday. He was sound on Wednesday, and everything has been good since, so whatever it was, it cleared up quickly."

Beiwacht has now won three Group 1 races over the 1400m distance, and Waller stated that he would confer with the Godolphin organisation to finalise future plans.

Waller did suggest that international competition was a possibility for Beiwacht.

"We indicated last year that we were keen to campaign him internationally, but he's not a particularly adaptable horse," Waller explained.

"He was out of his comfort zone in the Lightning Stakes, and it did shake our confidence somewhat.

"He is a specialist at 1400 metres, so there are some international prospects to consider."

Waller noted that Beiwacht had settled well into his stable and, for a four-year-old entire, was remarkably calm pre-race.

"When saddling him up before the race, he was a pleasure to work with," Waller commented.

"He was intensely focused. It may sound unusual, but he was truly concentrated on his racing.

"We will find a suitable target. I will confer with the Godolphin team, and I'm sure there will be some excellent races for him."

Given Beiwacht's impressive display in the Memsie Stakes, he is a strong candidate for future races; check out online bookmakers for the latest betting markets.