The Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday is not only the first Group race of the new racing season, but it is the first hint that the Melbourne Spring Carnival is just around the corner.
The nine race program this week might still be fairly low key but there is a sprinkling of horses that are going on to be a force in some of the major races over the next four months.
One of those headliners is dual Group 1 winner Trust In A Gust who will be kicking off his Spring Carnival campaign in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.
Veteran galloper Extra Zero and former Western Australian trained Group 1 winner Ihtsahymn are also using Saturday’s $90,000 Louis Polgar & Jason Vance Handicap (1400m) as their stepping stone into the Spring.
Race 1 – 12:10pm $80,000 Elizabeth Dunkley & Jason Lee Handicap (1400m)
An interesting bunch of three year olds to start proceedings off at Flemington on Saturday with no less than seven last start winners to contest the Elizabeth Dunkley & Jason Lee Handicap (1400m). The Darren Weir trained Starsi won over this distance at Caulfield a fortnight ago while Jacksay and Al Shameel finishd one – two over 1400m at Morphettville Parks three weeks ago. Pakenham winners Del Grappa and Geoff come to town while Downhearted and Bon Aurum broke their maiden status at Geelong. First starter Most Wanted could be the surprise packet with Damien Oliver taking the ride.
Race 2 – 12:45pm $90,000 Louis Polgar & Jason Vance Handicap (1400m)
Extra Zero might be nine years of age but co-trainers David Hayes and Tom Dabernig think there could still be some life left in the old boy and he will kick off another Spring campaign in the Louis Polgar & Jason Vance Handicap (1400m). Extra Zero mixed it at the highest level during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival when beaten a whisker by stablemate Spillway in the weight for age Group 1 $1m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington. Perth Group 1 winner Ihstahymn will be having his first run for Plumpton trainer Patrick Payne and is certain to make a huge impression. Desert Jeuney has performed well in higher company in the past and Charmed Harmony is racing at the peak of his form with wins at his last two starts over 1400m at Caulfield and Flemington.
Race 3 – 1:20pm $80,000 Melville Yates & Craig Dann Handicap (1400m)
Herstory scored an overdue win for Peter Moody last start over this course and distance and looks to be one of the main chances again in the Melville Yates & Craig Dann Handicap for the mares. Northern Saint will be fitter for a first up third over 1200m at Caulfield a fortnight ago as she steps up in distance this weekend. Niminypiminy is getting closer to the winner’s stall with four placings from her last five starts and Smokin’ Al is coming back to town after winning over 1200m at Sale on July 30.
Race 4 – 1:55pm $80,000 Julie Aldridge & Cynthia Norton Handicap (1700m)
The Chris Waller trained Abbasso is a winner at his last two starts and looks the one to beat again in the Julie Aldridge & Cynthia Norton Handicap (1700m). Abbasso won over a similar distance two starts back at Sale then came to town to win a BenchMark 90 Handicap over Flemington three weeks ago. Tax Evader is also heading back to the city after a last start win at Geelong over 1500m.
Race 5 – 2:30pm $80,000 Richard Beckmann & Mark Young Handicap (2000m)
Heavy has been beaten as favourite at his last two starts at Caulfield over 2000m and 2400m but has to be given another chance with the blinkers going back on for the Richard Beckmann & Mark Young Handicap (2000m). Darren Weir has two strong chances with Falago and Refulgent but both five year olds are getting up in the weights. Falago was a winner two starts back over this course and distance and Refulgent is a last start winner over 2000m at Caulfield. Black Tomahawk has been placed at his last two starts over the 2000m at Sale and then at Flemington in an Open Handicap.
Race 6 – 3:10pm $50,000 Timothy Kelly & Kevin Viney Handicap (1400m)
The Peter Moody trained Bel Seal is well overdue for a win with placings at his last four starts, the latest as favourite a second over 1400m at Geelong and will get his chance in the Timothy Kelly & Kevin Viney Handicap (1400m). Liberty Island from barrier one with Damien Oliver in the saddle will find this a lot easier than his recent efforts when third over 1600m at Flemington followed by a fourth over 1400m at Caulfield. Bon Rocket is down in class after a last start tenth over the Flemington 1400m but was a winner over this course and distance two starts back.
Bonus Bet refund in the Aurie’s Star Handicap: If your first fixed odds bet runs 2nd or 3rd you will get your stake back as a Bonus Bet up to $100
Race 7 – 3:50pm Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m)
Dual Group 1 winner Trust In A Gust is by far the best performed horse going around in the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m). The Darren Weir trained stallion has been lumped with 60kg while every other runner in the race is on the minimum of 54kg. Trust In A Gust won both his Group 1s at Caulfield during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival with victories in the $400,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and in the $400,000 Toorak Handicap (1600m). But he suffered a surprise first up defeat in the Autumn when second in the $150,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield. Shiraz has been racing in top form in Sydney and heads to Melbourne on the back a winning Rosehill double with wins over 1100m and 1200m in July. Playmaster and Lonrockstar take on each other again after finishing one – two in the Listed $150,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington a month ago.
Race 8 – 4:30pm $80,000 Nathan O’Mara & Terry Jolley Handicap (1000m)
Tansy was a Ballarat winner two starts back then came to town for a second over the same course and distance as the Nathan O’Mara & Terry Jolley Handicap (1000m). Klishina wasn’t disgraced when fifth in the Group 3 $150,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 4 and will find Saturday’s assignment a lot easier. Corsica Lad has the services of Damien Oliver and is coming off a second over 1000m at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
Race 9 – 5:05pm $80,000 Leanne Sanderson & Denis Hansen Handicap (2000m)
First Bloom got the job done last start over 1600m at Moonee Valley and will be hard to beat again in the Leanne Sanderson & Denis Hansen Handicap (2000m). The Darren Weir trained mare is a winner over 2040m at Moonee Valley and has run second over the 2000m Flemington course. Lilly Dazzler has been to Flemington at her last two starts for a fourth over 1610m followed by a won over 1800m three weeks ago beating Saturday’s rivals Iteration and Kept Woman with all three mares in the mix again. Manageress has good recent Flemington form with a third and a win over 1600m before a last start fourth over 2000m at Caulfield.