We all know that Spring is in the air when the Aurie’s Star Handicap Race Day at Flemington arrives on our doorstep.
The Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) has attracted a field of twelve, headed by Darren Weir’s dual Group 1 winner Trust In A Gust.
If your first fixed odds win bet comes in second or third in the in the Aurie’s Star Handicap, don’t despair, you will get your stake back as a Bonus Bet up to $100.
Once again Flemington has given us a strong betting meeting with plenty of good priced winners to be found and we will do our best to help you find them.
Race 5 No. 11 Heavy
If you stick with Damien Oliver you can’t go far wrong and the premiership winning jockey will be on Heavy in the $80,000 Richard Beckmann & Mark Young Handicap (2000m). The Ciaron Maher trained Heavy has been placed at his last two starts at Caulfield with a second over 2000m on July 4 followed by a third over 2400m a fortnight ago. A big drop in weight is a big advantage and Oliver is certain to give him a good run from barrier three.
Race 6 No. 13 Liberty Island
We’ll go with Damien Oliver again on the Chris Waller trained Liberty Island in the $50,000 Timothy Kelly & Kevin Viney Handicap (1400m). Liberty Island is overdue for a win and hasn’t been far off the money with two fourths and a third from his last three starts, his latest a fourth to Volcanic Ash in the $80,000 Greg Williams three year old Handicap over 1400m at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Oliver is certain to find the shortest way home from barrier one.
Bonus Bet refund in the Aurie’s Star Handicap: If your first fixed odds win bet runs 2nd or 3rd you will get your stake back as a Bonus Bet up to $100
Race 8 No. 2 Tansy
Tansy was narrowly beaten over this course and distance in a BenchMark 90 Handicap on July 18 and he has a great chance to go one better in the $80,000 Nathan O’Mara & Terry Jolley Handicap (1000m). Damian Lane takes over from Craig Williams and the experience of racing down the Flemington straight last start will be a big advantage. Tansy is at juicy double figure odds with Ladbrokes and looks to be very good each way value.
Race 9 No. 4 First Bloom
First Bloom saluted at good adds last week over 1600m in a BenchMark 84 Handicap at Moonee Valley and is at good each way odds again in the $80,000 Leanne Sanderson & Denis Hansen Handicap (2000m). The Darren Weir trained First Bloom has been placed over this course and distance back in January 2014 and is a winner over 2040m at Moonee Valley so the step up distance shouldn’t be a worry.