Aurie’s Star Handicap – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Showers

Eleven runners accepted for the $160,000 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap but Signore Fox and The Crusha are early scratchings. Five of the runners are resuming here while the other four runners have alredy had at least four runs already in their current preparation. The betting is reasonably open and the early favourite is Great Again who has placed in the Listed Vic Sprint Series Final and the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at his last two starts. Second favourite is Home Of The Brave who has placesd at both of his previous runs at this track including second in this race in 2018. Third favourite is Widgee Turf who is resuming after 35weeks and can go well first-up.

Hightail was a dual-acceptor for this and the Group 2 Missile Stakes and opted to race here. So Si Bon won this race last year but goes up a lot in weight. He easily won a jump out last week. Yulong January has won 2 from 3 races at this track and has race fitness on his side. Trope resumes after 22 weeks and has changed trainers. Reykjavik has a good record at this track and returning to a shorter trip after racing in 1600m races, while Game Keeper won 4 races in a row before an 11 week let-up.

1. So Si Bon

Last year he won this race first-up then went on to run well in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes and the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He carried 55.5 kg then so he has an extra 4.5 kg this year, but can’t be written off as he goes well after a break

2. Home Of The Brave

He is the oldest horse in the race but still races well and was 3rd in the Listed The Straight Six then 4th in the Listed Civic Stakes a his last two runs. He drops in weight from those races and won a trial on 31 July suggesting he is an each-way chance here.

3. Reykjavik

With 3 wins and 2 places from 7 starts on the track he clearly likes it here, but is best over longer distances. Not the worst.

4. Widgee Turf

He is resuming from a 35 week spell and has won at two of his previous first-up starts. His record on soft and heavy going is excellent and he has good statistics at Flemington. He could snag  a place if everything goes his way.

5. Great Again

The early favourite in the market, this gelding has 10 wins and 8 places from 25 starts, performs well on the Flemington straight and handles all types of going. He was 0.2 lengths 2nd in the Listed Vic Sprint Series Final then a length 3rd in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at his last two starts and looks ready to win. One of the main chances.

6. Signore Fox  – SCRATCHED

7. Yulong January

He resumes after a 22 week spell and had 2 wins at Flemington last campaign. He has won first-up before and looks a good each-way bet.

8. Trope

With only one win after 9 starts he probably won’t be getting his second win here, and my money won’t be on him.

9. Hightail

This gelding was scratched from the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Rosehill to run here. He has not raced at the track before, but this is his best distance and he won the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas 3YO Plate over this distance back in May. Last start he was favourite in the Listed Ramornie Handicap over 1200m at Grafton, but finished 8th of 14.

10. Game Keeper

this four-year=old has won 5 of his 10 starts, including his last 4 races which were over distances of 1250m, 1500m, 1600m and 2000m. He has had an 11 week let-up and is clearly a versatile runner so I would put him in your exotics as it would be no surprise to see him in the finish.

11. The Crusha  – SCRATCHED

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
5 Great Again
2 Home Of The Brave
10 Game Keeper
7 Yulong January

The track was slow nearly heavy.

Scratchings were 3 Reykavik, 6 Signore Fox and 11 The Crusha.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	Home Of The Brave
2nd	Great Again	0.75L
3rd	Game Keeper	1.15L
4th	So Si Bon	2.15L