Star jockey Damian Lane is adamant Western Empire will measure up to Melbourne spring carnival company, but he believes a wide draw could thwart the WA galloper in Saturday’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Lane said the brilliant Railway Stakes (1600m) winner “gives me as good a feel as Group 1 horses do” after riding him in trackwork and jump-outs in the lead up to his Victorian debut.

However, the WA-born hoop’s chief concern is barrier 12 in a hot edition of the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).

Western Empire announced his arrival as WA racing’s latest star when romping home by four lengths in the Railway, before a brave second to Regal Power after racing wide throughout in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot last year.

Touted as a Cox Plate prospect, the Iffraaj gelding has recovered from back and joint injuries sustained in his tough Kingston Town run and impressed Lane since he joined the Danny O’Brien stable.

“He’s an exciting horse,” Lane said.

“He’s prepped up really well and I’m very grateful to be riding him.

“He certainly feels like he can step up to the mark.

“Unfortunately he’s drawn wide and that probably only give us one option in regards to tactics with a big prep ahead of him.

“We’ll deal with the cards we’re dealt. Hopefully he has a good day out and it sets him up for a big spring.”

Ladbrokes rates Western Empire, one of eight Group 1 winners in the Memsie, the $5.50 favourite.

He has won seven of his 13 starts for leading WA owners Bob and Sandra Peters.

Lane will also team up with O’Brien and the Peters family on Graceful Girl in Saturday’s Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m).

The reigning Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) winner jumps from gate 13 and has to carry the 60kg topweight.

“She’s going really well but has also drawn wide,” Lane said.

“It’s a very good race, it’s basically a Group 1 field.

“I’m excited to get on her on raceday and see what she can do.”

Graceful Girl is an $8.50 chance.

Lane has also ridden WA’s other Caulfield runners, Red Can Man and Kissonallforcheeks, in trackwork this week.

They will be ridden by WA riders Shaun McGruddy and Chris Parnham respectively.

“Red Can Man worked really well and should be competitive in The Heath,” Lane said.

“Kissonallforcheeks may need the run but she’s going well.”