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 93221 T: Danny O’brien |
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 x114x T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes |
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 x0232 T: Ciaron Maher |
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 x4721 T: John Moloney |
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 (11) J: Jye Mcneil 56.5kg x6x11 T: Mitchell Freedman |
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 114×2 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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) Scratched: | |||
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 (1) J: Logan Bates 53kg 1111x T: Danny O’brien |
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 (6) J: Logan Bates 61kg 91840 T: Gavin Bedggood |