The quality of racing continues to ramp up on Aurie’s Star Handicap Day at Flemington!
Some of the biggest stables and best jockeys are engaged, and it’s hard not to think that we are set for a memorable Spring Racing Carnival, if the quality of this program is any indication.
You can find my full day preview and 2023 Aurie’s Star Handicap Day Tips below.
VRC Members Sprint (1100m) – 11:50am
Anilla makes his return to the races on Aurie’s Star Handicap Day, and this looks like a nice kick-off point for him.
The Valentia gelding began his career over in Hong Kong, failing to strike in two starts, but he arrived in Australia in summer for three-consecutive wins, peaking with an eye-catching win over 1200m here at HQ.
Clearly, he goes well fresh, and I am happy to give him a chance first-up.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Anilla
VRC Member Pamela Perry Aspirant Sprint (1200m) – 12:20pm
This is an interesting race that seemingly boasts plenty of winning chances, and I’m going to give The Prodigal Son another chance at odds.
The Prodigal Son was far too good for them at Canberra in his first run back this time, before being beaten just over three lengths here at Flemington after leading.
Having finished midfield at Sandown at his latest, I’m confident he’ll be bit this weekend, and we can have a small each way play at the price.
Suggested Bet: No. 13 The Prodigal Son
VRC Member Matthew Hodder Plate (1410m) – 12:55pm
There isn’t a whole lot of form to study ahead of this race, but I thought that Warlords would improve for his debut experience, and I’m going to stick with him.
The Saxon Warriors colt eased in betting out at Sale on debut, but he ultimately defied that trend and won rather comfortably.
With natural improvement, something like this could be the next logical step!
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Warlords
VRC Member Jennifer Lefebvre Trophy (1410m) – 1:30pm
Queen Air makes her return to the races in the fourth on Aurie’s Star Day, and with a few lofty targets set this time in, I think it’s a perfect launchpad.
The Toronado mare didn’t break her maiden during her debut prep last spring, but she was very good, and she ended her campaign third in the Oaks.
Having won two of four back in the autumn this year, I’m confident that another break will have done her plenty of good, and she is proven at this point of her preparation previously.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Queen Air
VRC Member Barbara Stephens Trophy (2530m) – 2:05pm
Mostly Cloudy went close in a similar race here at Flemington a few weeks ago, and I simply don’t think he’ll be offered a better opportunity win than this.
The Harzand gelding finished down the order at Sandown on debut in Australia back in May, but he has since placed in each of his three subsequent starts, including his close effort behind Mimi’s Award here last time.
The small drop in trip should be fine, and the horse is in peak condition.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Mostly Cloudy
VRC Member Simon Green Plate (2000m) – 2:40pm
Raise You Ten clearly needed his first start back from a lengthy break last month, but I am expecting plenty of improvement when he steps out at Flemington on Saturday.
The veteran gelding has picked off some nice races throughout his career and was sound last time in, finding form around some decent opposition.
The rise in trip suits, as should the big Flemington track, and he’s another whom we only have to have a little bit on each way.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Raise You Ten
Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) – 3:20pm
Ingratiating returned to winning form in the Bletchingly Stakes a fortnight ago, and assuming he does run here in Melbourne (he has also accepted into the Missile Stakes in Sydney), I think he’ll take beating again in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.
Ingratiating was excellent during his two-year-old season a couple of years ago, placing a couple of times in Group 1 company most notably.
He’s been competitive since, and after a flat run in Group 3 company first-up this time, I thought he was great at his latest.
With further improvement and under Benny Melham, he’s the one for me again.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Ingratiating
VRC Member Lionel Moss Trophy (1620m) – 3:55pm
Arran Bay returned to winning form with an eye-catching performance at Caulfield at his latest and typically, he’s been better at Flemington throughout his career.
The All Too Hard gelding enjoyed plenty of improvement into that race, building on a very impressive second-up record; he is a horse that tends to enjoy sharp improvement after one start.
Fitter again third-up, he just needs some luck from the draw to be in the finish, and I thought that the $8 about him at publish was a touch of overs.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Arran Bay
VRC Member Dennis Foley Sprint (1410m) – 4:30pm
I have been hanging out to see Berkeley Square since last spring, and he makes his return in the penultimate on Aurie’s Star Handicap Day!
The Territories gelding really was excellent during his 2022 prep, winning both the Exford Plate and the Moonee Valley Vase most notably, while ending his campaign a credible sixth in the Derby.
Granted, it has been a while between starts, but he has a lot of these rivals covered for class.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Berkeley Square
Jockeys Celebration Day Sprint (1100m) – 5:05pm
Benedetta has been hovering around the even money mark since markets went up, and rightly so. She’s bloody good, and I think she’ll win.
The Hellbent mare made six appearances at the races during her debut prep, winning four times and placing on the other two occasions.
This is a drop in class from what she was contesting most recently, and anything close to her best would see her into the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Benedetta