Saturday racing heads to Flemington for a strong nine-race card, headlined by the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap down the famous straight.
Flemington had a Good 4 rating on Wednesday, but showers are forecast around Wednesday and Thursday. With the rail out 10m, track conditions could land in the soft range by race day.
That should put added focus on race shape, the speed map and proven Flemington form. Track position may also prove important if there is still give in the ground.
The Group 3 feature has attracted a handy field, but there are betting opportunities right across the meeting. Let’s work through the key runners and main winning chances across all nine races on Aurie’s Star Handicap Day.
OUR CHIEF (6) had been building towards a win with three placings in a row, and that victory came last start over 2400m at Caulfield.
The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding settled second before letting down powerfully and showing plenty of fight to win by just under half a length.
He’s out of his own age group for the first time and is on the quick back-up, but he has won off a seven-day break previously when claiming a 2000m race here last preparation.
Lachlan Neindorf takes the ride and should give his mount an economical run on speed.
| 6. Our Chief (2) J: Lachlan Neindorf 55.5kg 93221T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently won by 0.5 len at Caulfield 3yo Hcp July 25 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Engine Of War carrying 56.5kg at $7.50. The race before that settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on July 11 over 2000m, slow going 0.5 len behind Ichnusa with 56kg at $5. To open grade now but is racing very well. | |||
REBEL TUESDAY (2) returns to the races for the first time since finishing 2.25 lengths fourth in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes over this course and distance, where she clocked the quickest final 400m of the race.
The Phillip & Tommy Stokes-trained filly had won back-to-back races prior to that, including a tenacious nose victory in the Listed Cinderella Stakes at Morphettville.
She looks set for a bold first-up showing following two jump outs where she worked nicely to the line under her own steam.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which will aid her cause and should allow Lachlan Neindorf to settle off them before launching late.
| 2. Rebel Tuesday (9) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58kg x114xT: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Filly returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign fourth of 8 at this track in the G3 Ottawa March 7 over 1000m, 2.25 len behind Medicinal with 56kg at $7.50. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.8 len Morphettville 2yo Hcp February 7 over 1050m defeating Tommy’s Lass carrying 57.5kg at $2.15. Has ability and can run well fresh. | |||
SMOKIN’ ROMANS (1) turned nine today, but age isn’t slowing him down.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has been racing in great form this preparation and was excellent last start over this course and distance, where he crossed from the outside barrier to race on speed before fighting gamely to finish 1.25 lengths second.
While it was four years ago, he won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over this course and distance, and his last win came in last year’s Warrnambool Cup when fifth-up, as he is here.
There’s no doubting his best days are behind him, but he’s still well placed against this line-up and is loving his racing.
He’s drawn to get a lovely run for Jabez Johnstone, who claims 2kg.
| 1. Smokin’ Romans (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 60.5kg x0232T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 13 at this track Bm100 on July 18 over 2000m, slow going 1.3 len behind Saint George with 57.5kg at $17. The run before that raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 9 at Caulfield Qlty Hcp on June 27 over 2000m, slow going 3.5 len behind Nellie Leylax carrying 56.5kg at $6.50. Making headway. Gets every hope and will take catching. | |||
KAHHOF (1) was heavily backed last start over 1400m on the Hillside, and the punters knew what they were doing, with him saluting by 1.5 lengths.
It was an impressive display by the John Moloney-trained gelding, settling just behind the leaders before charging home to score.
That was a stronger class race, so he rises in weight, but 3kg claiming apprentice Emily Pozman retains the ride.
Last preparation, he won a similar grade race to this with the same weight over this distance on the Lakeside track.
He’s drawn well and should race on speed.
| 1. Kahhof (4) J: Emily Pozman 62kg x4721T: John Moloney | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run won by 1.5 len at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 July 15 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Touchdown carrying 54.5kg at $4.80. The start before that 2nd of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on July 1 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 1.0 len behind Keane Enuff with 58kg at $9. Strong win latest and sets up very well again. | |||
SALIZOU (10) is a promising filly that has come back this preparation in cracking form.
The Mitchell Freedman-trained three-year-old kicked off this campaign with a strong win on the Ballarat Synthetic before producing an ultra-impressive performance over this course and distance last start.
Under Jye McNeil, she settled back after drawing wide before rocketing home along the inside, despite being held up, to win with something in hand by 1.25 lengths.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but there looks to be good speed in the race, so if McNeil can find some cover and get her to the outside in the straight, she’ll be charging home.
| 10. Salizou (16) J: Jye Mcneil 56.5kg x6x11T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Third-up today. First-up was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a long-neck at Ballarat Synthetic Cl1 July 12 over 1200m defeating Endless Summer carrying 56.5kg at $2.25. Last start won by 1.3 len at this track 3yo F Hcp July 18 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Cherish Me carrying 54kg at $21. Progressive and can measure up to open-age company. | |||
TOUCHDOWN (10) raced in terrific form last preparation, winning four of his six races.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding returned in great order last start over 1400m on the Hillside track, settling well back from the wide barrier before letting down powerfully in the heavy conditions to finish 1.5 lengths second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and will appreciate the rise to a mile, given he bolted in by 3.25 lengths over this distance last preparation.
In his first meeting riding since Melbourne Cup Day, Blake Shinn replaces the apprentice.
| 10. Touchdown (9) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 114×2T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months 2nd of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on July 15 over 1400m, in the wet; 1.5 len behind Kahhof with 58kg at $3.80. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 at Ballarat 0 – 62 on October 6 over 1600m, slow going 3.5 len behind Dancing Dolly with 60kg at $2.60. Lovely return and will take a power of beating up in trip. | |||
WAR MACHINE (1) looks ready to return to the form that saw him win the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Unfortunately, not a lot went right for him last preparation. He was found to be lame when resuming with a third in the Group 2 Australia Stakes before finishing 3.99 lengths 11th in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
His last win came two preparations ago when resuming in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes over this course and distance with 60kg and Blake Shinn in the saddle.
He’s had two jump outs leading into this, and his most recent piece of work was excellent, with him braining his rivals including Ndola.
Shinn is back in the irons and should be able to stalk the speed.
Check out our complete 2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites!
| 1. War Machine (1) J: Blake Shinn 60.5kg 0x30xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign 11th of 14 at this track in the G1 Newmarket March 7 over 1200m, 4 len behind Caballus with 57kg at $13. When resuming last campaign third in a small field at Pakenham in the G2 Aust Stks January 23 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Hedged carrying 58.5kg at $1.30. Class on his day, can lug the weight and win. | |||
SASS APPEAL (10) returns for her second campaign looking to emulate the progression that saw her win four races in a row after narrowly going down on debut.
The Danny O’Brien-trained mare finished last preparation in sparkling form with emphatic victories in the Listed Desirable Stakes and the Group 2 Kewney Stakes.
She is undefeated at Flemington, including over this distance with Logan Bates in the saddle.
With just 52kg on her back, she’ll go forward and should prove hard to get past.
| 10. Sass Appeal (2) J: Logan Bates 53kg 1111xT: Danny O’brien | |||
| Racing first-up today. Finished off last preparation winning won by 2.75 len this track G2 Kewney March 7 over 1600m defeating Pillow Fight with 56kg at $2.35. On debut second of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo F Mdn-Sw December 10 over 1200m, 0.5 len behind Karren carrying 57kg at $26. Very good filly who gets in light, huge chance. | |||
MOBY DICK (2) will appreciate the drop in class after competing in stronger races throughout this preparation.
Two starts ago, he gave a good account of himself here when finishing 1.15 lengths fourth to Ndola, who is a leading chance in the Aurie’s Star Handicap.
The Gavin Bedggood-trained gelding proved too strong over 1200m here four starts ago when letting down strongly to win by 1.5 lengths.
In an open race to finish the day, I’m happy to side with him at each-way odds given he has raced well down the straight.
| 2. Moby Dick (7) J: Logan Bates 61kg 91840T: Gavin Bedggood | |||
| Last start 11th of 14 at this track Bm88 on July 18 over 1200m, slow going 6 len behind Piastri with 57kg at $7.50. The race before that 4th of 9 at this track in the LR Santaanalane on July 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Ndola with 54kg at $6.50. Back in grade, best form reads well. | |||
Flemington Big Bets
Take a look at the big bets placed for Saturday’s Flemington meeting, headlined by the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap.