Stylish Memphis Set for Menangle

by Adam Hamilton

Jack Trainor feels like he’s wound the clock back to Christmas Eve.

That’s his excitement levels ahead of unleashing star Kiwi mare Stylish Memphis again on Menangle Saturday night.

It was early last year when Trainor enjoyed the greatest ride of his career through five weeks feature racing with Mark Jones’ superstar mare, headlined by winning the Group 1 Ladyship Mile.

She’s back to chase the same race again next month.

“She’s been here about two weeks. Jonesy sent across a bit earlier this year to get used to this style of racing here again,” Trainor said.

“I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, I’m so excited to have her back in the barn again.”

Stylish Memphis is $2.50 favourite from gate three in Saturday night’s $30,000 Group 3 PJ Hall free-for-all (1609m) at Menangle.

“She’s pretty forward. I worked her this morning and she felt every bit as good as she did this time last year,” Trainor said.

“She will improve on this run, she’s probably that one Menangle run short of being at her top.

“But this isn’t the strongest free-for-all and she’s drawn well. I think she’ll be very hard to beat.”

Trainor said there was a $30,000 mares’ free-for-all for Stylish Memphis on January 22 and then she’d head towards the Ladyship Mile qualifiers.

“I haven’t finalised any plans beyond that, but we won’t over race her,” he said.

“She’s so well suited to the racing here. The Ladyship is the target, but she’ll be very competitive in the open free-for-alls as well.”

Trainor ruled-out a Melbourne raid for the Ballarat or Hunter Cups.

“Jonesy and I talked about that, but we think she’s best staying here where she loves the racing so much,” he said.

“Maybe they’ll think about leaving her here after the Ladyship because there’s so many more options here for her than back in NZ, but we haven’t talked about anything like that yet.”

Stylish Memphis’ arrival further bolsters Trainor’s growing Menangle stable.

“We’re up to 20 in work now. I just got six horses across from (big owner) Mick Harvey to boost the numbers,” he said.