Nominations in for Aurie’s Star Handicap Day at Flemington

Posted by RS NewsWire at 1:26pm on July 31st

Often the G3 Aurie’s Star Handicap down the straight has been a kick off point for many a good horse for the Melbourne Spring.

Bart Cummings would use it as his starting point for many a Cups or Cox Plate contender. Even just look back to Fields Of Omagh winning in 2002.

In 2023, Benedetta ($3) is a very promising mare who loves the straight and Cause For Concern ($4.50) who has been flying this prep.

But others at odds who are ones to watch include Maximillius ($26) off his fall in the Australian Guineas, Much Much Better ($51) if heading south and Here To Shock ($26) who had a lovely confidence building end to last prep.

A couple of good BM100 handicaps over 1400m and 2500m bring in good horses.

The 1400m race includes Berkeley Square back for his first outing since the Derby, Blaze A Trail taken back south after two Brisbane wins and a couple of ex-Perth group horses in Windstorm and Regal Power.

Over the staying 2500m, Alhambra Lad chases five on the bounce but there will be strong opposition from Bedford, Claidheamh Mor, Teewaters and the Deane Lester Flemington Cup quinella of Mimi’s Award and Mostly Cloudy.

More Racing News

Shinn to make Sydney trip for Think About It trial

Blake Shinn will make the trip to Sydney to partner Think About It in a barrier trial as he prepares for his first race ride on the Everest winner. Sam Clipperton has been the gelding’s regular jockey over the past 15 months, but connections decided to make a change following a disappointing Sydney autumn...

Today

Kovalica to relish G1 Doomben Cup trip

The anniversary of Kovalica’s biggest success comes up in the next week and Chris Waller is hoping to celebrate the milestone with another Brisbane Group 1 win. The four-year-old son of Ocean Park will chase his first win since last year’s Queensland Derby when he steps out in this Saturday’s $1 million...

Today

Gold Coast trial to sharpen Magic Time for the Kingsford Smith Cup

Michael Dee is heading to the Gold Coast to trial multiple Group 1 winning mare Magic Time ahead of her first run in Brisbane. The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 1 is the race trainer Grahame Begg has picked out to run Magic Time in first-up in Brisbane,...

Today

The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth

Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...

May 18th

Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic

A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...

May 18th

Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes

A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...

May 18th

Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000

Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...

May 18th

Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six

Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...

May 18th

Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream

The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...

May 16th

Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?

To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...

May 16th