The Flemington straight will come alive this Saturday as the Aurie’s Star Handicap headlines a compelling nine-race card, marking one of the early highlights of the Victorian spring build-up.
Traditionally a launching pad for elite sprinters, the Group 3 feature over 1200 metres has seen past winners like Fields Of Omagh, Temple Of Boom, and Nicanero announce themselves on the national stage.
This year’s edition promises another thrilling contest, with a mix of seasoned Stakes performers and emerging talent set to clash.
Splash Back, fresh off a dazzling last start win, steps into her first Stakes test, while Marble Nine chases a fourth consecutive victory from a wide draw.
As the Melbourne Spring Carnival looms, Aurie’s Star Handicap Day offers punters and racing fans a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come. Let’s go!
Crossbow (2) returned in great order two starts ago over 1250m at Canterbury where he settled back after drawing wide before storming home to finish a neck second to Central Coast.
That’s good form given Central Coast was beaten a head by Tattersall’s Stakes winner Autumn Boy.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding followed that up with an unlucky performance last start where he was held up and didn’t get clear in time before charging through the line to just miss the win by a nose over 1400m at Randwick.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should enjoy the long Flemington straight in the first on Aurie’s Star Handicap Day.
Bold Soul (6) will appreciate the big drop in weight after finding the line well for fourth in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup last start.
The Patrick & Michelle Payne-trained gelding has been racing in super form this preparation particularly over this course and distance.
That includes a win with a similar light weight three starts ago where he proved too strong for Muktamil.
Top jockey Mick Dee takes the ride and should be able to settle in a prominent position.
De Bergerac (6) gave an amazing account of himself last start over this course and distance when despite failing to settle, he fought gamely only to be run down on the line to finish a head second to the talented La Fracas.
The Grahame Begg-trained gelding was an impressive winner first-up before not being suited by a heavy track when fighting for a third.
He rises in weight but drops in class.
He’s at peak fitness and should enjoy a nice run for Tom Prebble.
Documentary (9) was a sick watch for backers whe he resumed over 1000m here last start.
The Nick Ryan-trained gelding was blocked for runs several times and only got going late to finish 1.36 lengths sixth.
He’s only lightly raced so has an abundance of upside and won his only previous second-up race.
Jamie Melham replaces husband Ben and should give her mount every chance behind what looks a solid speed.
Federer (14) improved considerably second-up when working home well over 1800m at Randwick to finish just under a length fourth.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was jumping from 1400m first-up so there was plenty of merit in the run and he took plenty of benefit from the hit out.
He was doing his best work late over 1800m at Randwick when finishing a neck third, which suggests the rise in distance here, now that he’s at peak fitness is ideal.
Last season’s top Melbourne jockey, Blake Shinn, is a positive in the saddle.
Cafe Millenium (5) caught the eye when flashing home from a long way back to finish 1.6 lengths fifth over 1200m at Caulfield.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding impressed second-up over this course and distance when hitting the line hard after being held up to win.
He’ll appreciate being freshened and dropping in distance after weakening late in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final over a mile.
The winkers go on and he’ll carry just 53kg following the claim of Luke Cartwright.
I’m quite possibly the number one ticket holder in the Splash Back (11) fan club.
The six-year-old mare has been in brilliant form since joining the Grahame Begg stable, winning three of four races.
She was simply amazing last start over 1420m here when coming from an impossible position to storm home and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
That was six weeks ago so the drop in distance will suit and she produced a pleasing jump out recently to tune up for this.
I expect plenty of on speed pressure which will aid her cause.
One Long Day (11) boasts a terrific record of four wins and four seconds from nine starts.
The Melody Cunningham-trained gelding returned in good order last start over 1200m on the Lakeside track where he fought bravely for a 1.3 length second to The Shaper.
He’s since been back to the jump outs where he produced an excellent piece of work to win.
That will tune him up nicely to remain undefeated second-up.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance and won his only previous start over this track and trip.
Illyivy (9) started her career in great style and has been in fine form this preparation.
The daughter of Flying Artie stepped up to this distance for the first time last start at Caulfield and loved it, letting down powerfully to win by just under a length.
She’s rock hard fit and should enjoy the more expansive Flemington track.
Logan Bates, who claims 2kg, should settle in a prominent position.