{"id":88818,"date":"2026-07-29T19:26:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=88818"},"modified":"2026-07-29T19:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T09:30:33","slug":"auries-star-handicap-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/07\/auries-star-handicap-2026-betting-tips-predictions-favourites\/","title":{"rendered":"Aurie’s Star Handicap 2026 Betting Tips, Predictions & Favourites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The new Melbourne racing season fires up in style this Saturday with the Aurie\u2019s Star Handicap<\/a><\/strong> down the famous Flemington straight, and punters are in for a beauty. It\u2019s a compact line\u2011up but stacked with genuine talent, and the first Group race of the season always gives us an early read on who\u2019s ready to make a splash heading into spring. We\u2019ve broken down the key chances, the form that matters, and the runners you want in your multis \u2014 here are our Aurie\u2019s Star Handicap tips, predictions and favourites<\/strong> for 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wrapped up the winter racing action in style last weekend, landing a tidy Same Race Multi in the Bletchingly Stakes<\/a> at Caulfield that returned close to ten bucks. Not a bad way to sign off the colder months \u2014 and now we roll straight into Flemington for the first Group race of the new season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big question is whether we can keep the momentum going at HQ this Saturday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

History says the Aurie\u2019s Star Handicap is usually a race where the well\u2011supported runners stand up, with favourites boasting a strong recent strike\u2011rate. Early\u2011spring sprinters with proven Group 1 form or sharp first\u2011up profiles have traditionally been the safest plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, does that trend continue with War Machine resuming as the clear top seed? Or is this the year a value runner steps up and joins past winners like Temple Of Boom, Tiger Tees, Hey Doc, So Si Bon and last year\u2019s champ King Of Roseau?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dive in for our full 2026 Aurie\u2019s Star Handicap tips, predictions and Same Race Multi selections<\/strong> below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Aurie’s Star Handicap Favourites & Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Favourite<\/div>\n
No. 1 War Machine<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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WAR MACHINE (1)<\/strong> rolls into the Aurie\u2019s Star Handicap as the clear top pick, and it\u2019s not hard to see why.<\/p>\n

The Lindsay Park star is back from a break and brings genuine Group 1 polish to a race that doesn\u2019t look anywhere near as deep as what he\u2019s been tackling.<\/p>\n

His last win came here down the straight when he monstered the Gilgai Stakes<\/a> under a big weight, and nothing he\u2019s faced since has been anywhere near this level.<\/p>\n

He was thrown into the deep end in The Everest<\/a> and again in the autumn, so you can put a line through those runs.<\/p>\n

What matters is his latest Flemington trial on July 24, where he cruised past Ndola and looked exactly like a horse ready to fire fresh \u2014 which he usually does.<\/p>\n

The 60.5kg won\u2019t worry him, Blake Shinn jumps back aboard, and the inside draw gives them options to control their race.<\/p>\n

If he turns up anywhere near his best, he\u2019s right in the finish.<\/p>\n

Neds Verdict: Group 1 class in a softer race. Top 2.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Flemington R7 – Aurie’s Star Hcp (G3)<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
<\/colgroup>
<\/td> 1. War Machine (1)<\/span> Scratched: <\/span><\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 01\/09\/2026 12:17:12 AM (Australia\/Brisbane) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n View Results: Flemington Race 7<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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