THE MEMSIE STAKES IS THE FIRST GROUP ONE RACE OF THE AUSTRALIAN SEASON

HISTORY: First run in 1899 at one mile (1600m) and won by Veneda

Given Group One status in 2013

NOTABLE WINNERS: Phar Lap won in 1931 at nine furlongs (1800m); Makybe Diva won in 2005 and four starts later won her third Melbourne Cup

TALKING POINTS:

* This year's field has seven Group One winners - Black Heart Bart, Prince of Penzance, Tarzino, Tavago, Rising Romance, Sofia Rosa and Palentino

* Tavago (Australian Derby) and Sofia Rosa (Australian Oaks) are both last-start winners

* First-up runners this year are Alpine Eagle, Black Heart Bart, Prince of Penzance, He Or She, Rising Romance, Sofia Rosa, Tally, Tarzino and Tavago

* Black Heart Bart from barrier two is the early favourite, paying $2.60

* Since 2002, six subsequent Cox Plate winners ran in the Memsie, including So You Think who won in 2010

* No trainer has won back to back Memsie Stakes since Trevor and Stephen McKee in 2000/2001 with Sunline

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

"He's going really well but it's a good sharp race for him first-up. He did run really well first-up in Adelaide but the best thing is it's exciting to have him back at the track" - Harry Coffey who rides Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance

"It's been a long time since she's won but she has been beaten narrowly in a couple of Group Ones for us" - Rising Romance's co-trainer Tom Dabernig

"She's not just a dour staying horse. She still has a good turn of foot and I think you might see that on Saturday" - Stephen Marsh, trained of Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa